USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical > Part 55
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Patrick Phelan, the husband of Bridget Brophy Phelan, lived and died on his native soil of Queen's county, Ireland. His personality enters into the affairs of Johnson county only through the vigorous wife who survived him and the daughters who came with their widowed mother to America in 1848. The latter were six in number when the family sailed away from the beautiful capital of Erin on the good ship Odessa on Palm Sun- day, 1848. The Widow Phelan and her children undertook this ardnous voyage at the invitation of her brother, who had deter- mined to make his home in the new world, and who believed that his sister and her fatherless children would be able to make better headway in the battle of life in the friendly atmos- phere of the great west. The Odessa's voyage from Dublin to Lower Canada occupied four weeks, and the travelers went at once to Toronto, Ontario, where they spent one summer. At-
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tracted by the opportunities of the United States, Mrs. Phelan removed with her family to Lewiston, New York, where they remained until 1855, when they decided to locate in Iowa. About this time the youngest daughter, Annie, died - and the shadow of the tomb was for the third time cast over the household, Catherine, the fourth daughter, having also died in New York. The brother, to whose kindness the family was so much indebt- ed, remained a resident of Toronto, where he died.
With her four children, Mrs. Phelan made the westward journey from Lewiston via steamer from Buffalo to Detroit; thence by rail to Rock Island; thence by stage to Iowa City,
THE OLD PHELAN HOMESTEAD
where the wanderers were warmly received by relatives and made welcome. A little later the widow bought the present homestead. When Mrs. Phelan arrived in Iowa City, the beau- tiful thoroughfare now knownas Iowa avenue was then covered with hazel brush. From the time of her arrival until her death at the old home in 1889 Bridget Brophy Phelan was faithful in the discharge of the duties of motherhood. Her memory is precious in the minds of her children and their descendants. The old homestead on East Burlington street is a hallowed spot, where the memories of the loved ones gone are revered and the associations of their descendants pleasant and helpful.
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The children of Patrick and Bridget Brophy Phelan, in the order of their birth, are: Anna, died in 1855; Mary, died in 1882; Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Walter Butler; Catherine, died in New York; Bridget, widow of Francis H. O'Shaugh- nessy; Theresa, unmarried, residing at the old home in Iowa City. The latter was for thirty years a popular school teacher of Johnson county. She was educated in the Sisters B. V. M. Order at Iowa City. Much of her school work was done in the first and fourth wards of this city.
Elizabeth Phelan was married in 1867 to Thomas Walter Butler, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Father Emmons in St. Mary's Catholic church of Iowa City. Mr. Butler was born in Morgan county, Illinois, December 7, 1834, and died in Iowa City in 1881. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Butler settled on a farm in Pleasant Valley township, where they began housekeeping in a log cabin, a rude structure, which was their home for two years. Thereafter they built a more substantial house, where they pursued the business of farming until Mr. Butler's death in 1881, a period of fourteen years. It was one of the fine farms of the township, well improved with good buildings and fences, very productive and attractive. Thomas Walter Butler was a quiet, unassuming man, devoted to his family. His great ambition was to give his children a good education. Mr. Butler was an active factor in his com- munity, respected and esteemed by all. Much of Mr. Butler's bent of mind came as a direct inheritance from his father, Wal- ter Butler, who figured prominently in the early history of Johnson county. The latter was born in Tennessee, where he was married in 1824 to Elizabeth Galbreath. Soon after their marriage the couple removed to Henderson county, Illinois, the journey being made by the primitive means of transportation of that early day. In September, 1839, they settled in Iowa City, then a straggling village. Mr. Butler died there in 1884, and his wife survived until January 18, 1888, dying at the resi- dence of her son, John Walter Butler, in East Lucas township. The latter is now a resident of West Branch, Iowa. In the first volume of this history Mr. Gilbert R. Irish has paid Walter Butler and wife a glowing tribute, dwelling upon the sympathy, kindness, and christian character of this excellent woman and the important deeds of her husband.
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Walter Butler's name deserves remembrance at the hands of Iowa City and the state of Iowa. He was the builder of the first Capitol of the state erected in Iowa City. The timbers for the stout frame of this historic building were hand-hewed in the forest, and the lumber was laboriously rip-sawed by hand. This building was first erected on Washington street, on the space now occupied by the bricks between Whetstone's drug store and the entrance to Murphy Brothers' livery stables. It was later removed to North Dubuque street, next north of Schneiders' cabinet shop, where it was used as an eating and lodging house. In the Iowa Capital Reporter, of December 11, 1841, there is an article from the pen of General Van Antwerp, giving an account of the first meeting of the Iowa legislature in the new Capitol at Iowa City, then a village of 700 or 800 inhabitants. General Van Antwerp recites the fact that the legislators passed a vote of thanks to their public spirited fellow citizen, Walter Butler, for his exertion in mak- ing ready the building for their use, for which, they declared, "he deserves to be favorably remembered."
Thomas Walter Butler and Elizabeth Plielan were the par- ents of five children : Mary Theresa, died at lowa City ; Mrs. William Murphy, of Iowa City, mother of one child, Mary Elizabeth; Nellie, who joined the Sisters B. V. M. Order, tak- ing the name of Sister Tereseta, dying after seven years devo- tion to the cause of religion ; Clara Frances, died when young; Miss Maud Elizabeth, a graduate of the Iowa City high school and the S. U. I., residing at home. The entire family were and are members of St. Patrick's Catholic church.
FRANCIS H. O'SHAUGHNESSY, the husband of Bridget Phelan, was a native of Limerick county, Ireland, and emigrat- ed to America in August, 1865. In December of the same year he came to Iowa City, where he read law with Attorney Black- well, who later became a representative. Mr. O'Shaughnessy was a splendid scholar, and was admitted to the practice of law in October, 1866. When Mr. Blackwell was chosen repre- sentative Mr. O'Shanghnessy associated himself with Mr. Kav- anaugh under the firm name of Kavanaugh & O'Shaughnessy. He wa san exceptionally brilliant lawyer and gave great prom- ise of a useful career at the bar. To the great sorrow of his
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family and his friends his life was cut short at the age of twen- ty-seven years. Those best acquainted with him speak in terms of praise of his qualities as a man, a christian, and a lawyer. The Johnson County Bar Association, of which he was a member, passed resolutions July 19, 1869, in memory of his death. The records of this body recite that on that date, on motion of S. H. Fairall, Messrs. Samuel H. Fairall, James B. Edmonds and Rush Clark were appointed to draft and re- port resolutions relative to the death of Francis H. O'Shaugh- nessy, Esq., late a member of the association. This committee submitted the following resolutions, which were ordered spread upon the records of the court :
"Whereas, Francis H. O'Shaughnessy, late a member of this bar, and an officer of this court, has in the mysterious ways of Providence been called in the spring-time of life from this to another world,
"Resolved, That it is with sincere regret that we part with one whose nobility of soul, integrity of purpose and delity to friendship and principle gave him, a stranger in a strange land, a warm place in the hearts of those who knew him.
"Resolved, That we submit with becoming reverence to the decree which has taken from our midst a beloved friend and a useful member of society.
"Resolved, That we tender to the wife of our departed friend our kindliest sympathies in this sad hour of her bereave- ment.
"Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the rec- ords of this court, and that the clerk be directed to furnish a copy thereof to her who mourns an irreparable loss.
"Resolved, That in respect to the memory and worth of the departed, this court adjourn, and that the officers thereof attend his funeral obsequies.
"Signed) "S. H. Fairall, "J. B. Edmonds, "Rush Clark, "Committee."
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GEO. T. REDDICK
Among the sturdy tillers of the soil who have helped to make the Dominion of Canada great was Henry M. Reddick and his good wife Mary E. Reddick. Of their lives and works we know but little, but the thing of importance is that they were the parents of the subject of this sketch, George T. Reddick.
George T. Reddick was born in Prince Edward county, On- tario, on March 29th, 1864. At the age of twelve years he be- gan learning the printer's trade and has followed that trade since from the caption of "devil" throughont all of its branch- es. At the age of twenty years he became the owner and pub- lisher of the Hamlin County Times, at Castlewood, South Da- kota, being the youngest newspaper publisher in the then ter- ritory of Dakota.
On November 27, 1887, he arriemd Kittie A. Barnes at Mil- bank, S. D., and a little later moved to Watertown, S. D., where he became associated with Judge S. J. Conklin in publishing a political weekly called The Dakotian. During the panic of 1891 our subject moved to Chicago where he remained for five years before coming to Iowa City where he has since made his home. Beginning in 1896 he conducted a job printing bus- iness for twelve years although a great deal of his time was taken up with other interests as well.
The history of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Iowa City is linked very closely with that of Geo. T. Red- dick since the time in 1900 when he assisted in organizing the local lodge and was made the first secretary. In 1908 he was elected Exalted Ruler, in 1911 became first vice president of the State Association of Elks and in 1912 was chosen president. At the present time he is district deputy G. E. R. for southern Iowa.
On March 8, 1911, Mr. Reddick's life was saddened by the loss of his wife who had been so much with him and had added to the popularity of both among their friends. Two children were left also to mourn her loss: Hazel Winifred Reddick, born in Watertown, S. D., February 6, 1891, a member of the class of '13 at the State University of Iowa, and Harold Ar- thur Reddick, born in Iowa City on March 26, 1899.
At the city election in 1911 the members of the council show-
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
ed their appreciation of his sterling qualities by electing Mr. Reddick city clerk and two years later they again elected him for another term in the same office.
On March 24, 1913, Mr. Reddick was united in marriage with Mrs. Margaret Leuz, widow of the late August Leuz, former supervisor of Johnson county, and for many years the popular chief of the Iowa City fire department.
JAMES ALDOUS
Mr. Aldous had never been to England since the time that he left when a young man so in 1909 he engaged passage on one of the steamers of the White Star line and sailed for South Hamp- ton. The voyage was uneventful, being one of the finest trips possible. Arriving at South Hampton he made the trip from there to the eastern part of London on the London Great West- ern railroad and then on the Great Eastern to his native town of Ipswich, about seventy-five miles east of London. He went immediately to the home of a sister living there but she hap- pened to be out at the time so he was there to meet her when she returned to her home. She did not at once recognize him as she had not seen him for over thirty years. Of course she was extremely happy when she found out who he was.
Of the time that was spent in England it is difficult for one to tell in a brief sketch, it was so crowded with incidents of meeting old friends and seeing old places. Mr. Aldous's mem- ory of the places and things that he had seen as a child of less than three years is remarkable and was a constant surprise to his old friends. He tells of seeing the flower garden that he had designed and made at the old home; of an old hermit nearly forgotten by those living in the vicinity ; of a flour mill and the people that were running the mill, as well as of the location of many of the points of interest, being able to tell of these things by means of his memory ; the slower change of England leaving nearly everything unchanged.
On the return trip he stopped in London, visiting the famous Kew Gardens and the Royal Exotic Nursery where he had worked as a young man when learning his trade. The ocean trip was uneventful and he reached New York in good health
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and spirits. Here he met by appointment an old friend with whom he had formerly worked in England, now a well known landscape gardener of Morristown, New Jersey. While visit- ing in this place they called on another English landscape gar- dener who was carrying on some work near there and, stopping with him for lunch, were introduced to his mother. She had a very pleasing personality which affected Mr. Aldous at once, so much so that the friendship warmed rapidly and after leav- ing it was continued by correspondence, and finally brought to a climax by the lady consenting to become a member of the Aldous household.
RESIDENCE OF JAMES ALDOUS
The wedding of Mr. Aldous and Mrs. Annie Harrington was held at the home of a daughter of Mr. Aldous in Waterloo, Iowa, on December 29, 1910. Since then they have lived at their beautiful home on East Church street in Iowa City.
Mrs. Harrington, whose husband had also been a florist and a former acquaintance of Mr. Aldous, has one son who is a doc- tor, one who is a contractor, and the third who is the landscape gardener first mentioned, now living in New York. She has also two daughters, one of whom is a graduate chiropodist in Iowa City, and the other has nearly completed the course in Still College of Osteopathy, in Des Moines.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
Since the return from England the business of Mr. Aldous has continued to prosper, he having found it necessary to add two more greenhouses to the four that he already had, making an addition of over ten thousand feet of glass.
JOSEPH KUCHYNKA
There are many men who are better fitted, by natural ability and training, for agricultural pursuits, than they could be for any other occupation, and by following their natural inclina- tions they have met with material success. This is true of several farmers of Johnson county, among whom may be counted Joseph Kuchynka, who spent his entire life in the county. He has spent all his active life in general farming and is now the owner of a productive farm. He was born in
RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH KUCHYNKA
Monroe township, Johnson county, son of Albert and Frances (Zabaketsky) Kuchynka, natives of Bohemia and early resi- dents of Monroe township. The father came as a young man and the mother was brought by her parents. After marriage they lived on a farm until 1898, then, with their two youngest children moved to Kansas, spent four years there, and re- turned to Iowa. 6 They lived at Walford until 1908, since which time they have lived at Oxford. Five of the children reached maturity: Tone, Mrs. Anton Donger, of Iowa county ; Joseph, subject of this sketch; William, of Johnson county;
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Albert, living near Oxford; Barbara, Mrs. Charles Zavosky, living near Oxford.
Mr. Kuchynka was reared and educated in Monroe township and as soon as he was old enough began helping with the work on the home farm. He afterwards worked away from home and saved his money until he was able to invest in a farm of his own, which he did about 1901. He is well known as an in- dustrious and energetic farmer and has made his work count to good purpose, following modern methods in his operations and taking an intelligent view of his work. He is interested in all measures affecting the general welfare and progress, and is a republican in politics. He continues to reside on the farm above mentioned, has married, and is one of the sub- stantial citizens of the cummunity. In religious views he is a Catholic and is a member of the church at Walford.
In 1895, Mr. Kuchynka was united with Miss Emma Dusil, native of Johnson county, whose parents, John and Verony Dusil, were born in Bohemia, and came to the United States in an early day. The family have a pleasant home, which is often visited by their many friends.
WILLIAM HENRY GRABIN (Deceased)
In the death of the late William Henry Grabin, Johnson county lost one of its most public-spirited and substantial citi- zens. He was born in Hanover, Germany, and died at his home in Oxford township, Johnson county, February 26, 1910, in his sixty-first year. He was four years of age when brought to America by his parents, John J. and Mary Ann Grabin, who came to Iowa City in 1856. He was reared to farm work and followed agricultural operations all his active life.
When starting life on his own account Mr. Grabin located on Section 32, Oxford township, north of the present home of the family. He was married at Oxford to Miss Annie Tomash, daughter of Charles Stephen and Theresa Josephine (Muschil) Tomash, natives of Bohemia. The Tomash family came first to Wisconsin and later located near Solon, Iowa, and spent about two years at Iowa City. Mr. Tomash died on the old Tomash home farm on Section 3, Oxford township. He and
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
his wife had six children: Jaline, Mrs. Annie Grabin, Joseph, Frank, John and Mrs. Jos. Coufals. The latter lives at Cou- fals. Two died, Mary, nine months old, and Anton, one year and nine months. Upon locating on his farm, Charles Steph- en Tomash hewed logs and and erected a rude home, broke his land with oxen, and lived the life of the sturdy pioneer of those days. He and his wife endured many hardships, but at the time of his death he left his children well provided for. He passed away on the farm now occupied by his son Frank. The family is well known among the early settlers and has always been highly respected.
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RESIDENCE OF MRS. WM. HENRY GRABIN
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Grabin located on Sections 31 and 32 of Oxford township, north of the present place, and later removed to the present home of the family on Section 5, this move taking place in 1889. At the time of his death he owned about 700 acres of well improved land. Ten children were born of this union, of whom eight are living: Charles Christopher; Theresa; Ellen, married Frank Floerschinger, residing at Oxford, Iowa; Annie Belle, wife of Millen New- kirk, of Oxford; Aggie, deceased; William Henry is married and lives on the old home place ; John James, lives near the old home place, married Mary Tomash; Mary Agnes, now Mrs. George Saxon, residing in Oxford, mail carrier; Agnes Fran- ces, married William Schebetka; Christopher Henry, died in infancy ; Frankie Joseph, at home.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
At the time of his death Mr. Grabin was serving as chairman of the board of trustees of Oxford township. He had been school director many years and was much interested in educa- tional matters. He was a kind neighbor and friend, an ex- emplary husband and father, and was held in high esteem by all. The entire community mourned his loss and he is missed in many circles. His children have taken an honorable part in the affairs of Johnson county and through them, as well as the father, the name will continue to stand for integrity and good citizenship.
JOSEPH MARAK
Joseph Marak was born in Bohemia June 13, 1849. His pa- rents were Joseph Marak and Mary Anne Kolda, both natives of Bohemia. The parents came to America when our subject was sixteen years old and settled on a farm in Jefferson town-
RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH MARAK
ship. There they spent their lives and died, the father in 1904 and the mother in 1909. They had only one other child be- sides Joseph, a daughter, Anna, who died at the age of eighteen.
When Joseph Marak was twenty-one years of age he began farming on his own account in Jefferson township. In 1887
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
he bought his present home farm of 110 acres, and gradually has added thereto until his holdings now include 210 acres in Jefferson township. In 1871 he was married to Miss Frances Louvar. She was born in Bohemia, and came with her parents to America in 1857. The family settled upon a farm in Jeffer- son township, being neighbors to the Marak family. Mr. and Mrs. Marak have eight children: Stanley O., living on a farm in Jefferson township; Mary Anna, now Mrs. Joseph Vecerka, living on a farm in Jefferson township; Ella E., now Mrs. Lon Doskocil, living on a farm in Jefferson township; John P., in mercantile business in Swisher, Iowa; Anna A., now Mrs. Frank Bures, living on a farm in Big Grove township; Bessie A., now Mrs. Frank Sulek, living on a farm in Jefferson town- ship; Arthur E., employed by his brother John P. at Swisher, Iowa.
Mr. Marak is a prominent member of the democratic party and has been frequently honored with important local offices. His life has been one of great activity, and he has a goodly for- tune as a result of his efforts. He expects soon to retire from the active life of the farm, and with that object in view he has now completed a beautiful home at Swisher, Iowa, where he expects to spend his declining years. Many friends unite in the wish that he may live many years to enjoy the fruits of his toil.
WESLEY J. HOLETS
Wesley J. Holets is a good example of the public-spirited and useful Bohemian-American citizen of Johnson county, where his parents were early settlers. He has spent his life in useful endeavor, as did his parents before him, and has been actively identified in whatever movements were calculated to advance the welfare of all. The old house where his parents first lived is still standing and is an interesting landmark. It is well known to the citizens of Jefferson and adjoining townships, for within its hospitable walls were entertained many of the early settlers upon their arrival from Bohemia. An engraving of this old house is contained in this publication and will recall happy memories to many an early resident of the county. Wesley J. Holets was born in Bohemia, in January, 1865, a son
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BIOGRAPHICAL
of Wesley and Annie Holets, who came to America when he was eight years old and located on the farm in Jefferson township where he now lives. The father continued in active farm work until the time of his death, many years since, when Wesley J. was a youth, and the mother survived until 1909, passing away at the age of seventy-one years. They were parents of seven children : Wesley J .; Esther Anna, now Mrs. Joseph Jonish, of Ely, Iowa; John, of Fairfax, Iowa, engaged in the harness business; Joseph, in the harness business at Ely, Iowa ; Frank, working at the trade of tinner, at Cedar Rapids; Katherine, married Al Lomotor, engaged in the wholesale and retail shoe
RESIDENCE OF WESLEY J. HOLETS
business at Cedar Rapids; Mary, wife of Joseph Kubicek, of Cedar Rapids.
Mr. Holets was educated in the public schools of Jefferson township and early began with assisting on the home farm. He has devoted all his active years to farming, taking charge of the home place when young and improving and developing it in various ways. He is a wide-awake and enterprising farmer and is interested in local affairs. He has held several minor offices, such as township trustee, road supervisor and school director, and is a democrat in political belief but votes for the man rather than for the party as a rule. Having lived in the township since early boyhood, he has a large number of friends,
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
among whom he is popular and well liked. He enjoys the con- fidence and esteem of all who know him and his honesty and in- tegrity of purpose are well recognized. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Holets married Miss Anna Drinkowsky, a native of Bo- hemia, who was brought by her parents to America in early childhood. Her parents were among the early settlers of Jef- ferson township, where they engaged in farming, and helped materially in the development of their community, remaining there the rest of their days. Mr. and Mrs. Holets have five children, namely : Mary, wife of Fred Sulek, a farmer of Jeffer- son township; Annie, Mrs. Joseph Sirowy, on a farm in Linn county; William, employed by Jackson Grain Company, at Swisher ; Charles W., a farmer of Jefferson township; Edward is engaged in a grocery business at Cedar Rapids.
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