Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical, Part 6

Author: Aurner, Clarence Ray, 1861-
Publication date: 1912-13
Publisher: Cedar Rapids, Ia. : Western historical press
Number of Pages: 1148


USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical > Part 6


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69


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the foremost pioneer business men of Iowa City. In a recent discourse the pastor of the First Presbyterian church, of which the deceased was a deacon, referred to the fact of Mr. Greer's advocacy of temperance and paid a glowing tribute to his memory. Mr. Greer was a Scotchman by birth, and pos- sessed the sterling Scotch characteristics which made for honesty and morality in his life. His wife was of Irish an- cestry, a woman of rare sweetness and nobility of character. She survived her husband two years, dying in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Greer raised a family of nine children, of whom five sur- vive : Franklin C., born in New York state in 1854; Ed. B.,


SALESROOM, A. M. GREER


farmer of Scott township, born in Iowa City; Albert M., our subject, born in Iowa City; Ida M., born in Iowa City, widow of Dr. Charles Fuller, a graduate of S. U. I., resides at Water- town, New York; Irving R., born in Iowa City, resides at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.


The date of Albert M. Greer's birth was December 13, 1861. His entire life has been spent in his native city, where he is today one of its most honored citizens. He received his edu- cation in the public schools, being a graduate of the Iowa City high school. He has been in business since 1887, being a dealer in jewelry, pianos, and musical instruments of all kinds. His


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first store was on the present site of the Johnson County Sav- ings bank, being one-half block north of his present location in the Webb building, 128 South Clinton, which he has occu- pied since 1900. Mr. Greer handles pianos by the car load. He has sold over 500 Kimball pianos in Iowa City and vicinity, and 500 of other makes. The State University has just bought two grand pianos of the Kimball make.


Mr. Greer chose for his wife Miss May Jewett, daughter of Joseph Jewett, and a neice of former Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood. Their children are: Mildred Emily and Gertrude. Mrs. Greer and children are members of the Christian church. The family residence is at 15 East Market street.


MAX MAYER


One of the successful merchants of Iowa City, whose name and methods have stood for probity and square dealing, is Max Mayer, a native son of Iowa and identified all his life with the advancement of its general interests. Our subject was born January 13, 1858, at Washington, Iowa, and there


RESIDENCE OF MAX MAYER


he received his primary education in the public schools, add- ing thereto a classical course in New York city. His parents were Leon Mayer and Teresa Lippman, both natives of Ger- many, who came to America when quite young. They were


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educated in the east, and were united in marriage in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Mayer came to Washington, Iowa, in 1855, where the husband engaged in the clothing business.


Max Mayer's first mercantile undertaking was in his native town of Washington, where he followed in the footsteps of his father and embarked in the clothing business. This was in 1882, and he continued in the same line at the same location until 1886, when he removed from Washington to Iowa City. Mr. Mayer is a believer in the business maxim, "master of one, master indeed," and therefore he continued his chosen occupation of clothing merchant in his new home, remaining therein to the present time, and always with success and pop- ularity.


On February 18, 1885, he was united in marriage to Miss Laura Bloom, daughter of Senator Bloom, of Iowa City. Two children were born of this union, Florence and Lawrence. Mrs. Mayer died November 10, 1889, and was buried in Cin- cinnati, Ohio. Six years later, in March, 1895, Mr. Mayer married Miss Julia Bloom, sister of his first wife, and they have been blessed with one son, Edward.


The family are members of the Hebrew church, and Mr. Mayer is affiliated with the Masonic order and the B. P. O. E. The family residence is at 714 East College street.


JOHN HERBERT WHETSTONE


It has been the endeavor of the publishers of these volumes to place in enduring form a history of the lives of those who have aided in the growth and development of this part of Iowa, and who from their activity and long residence here have become component factors of the community in which they live. Years roll by so rapidly that time is already thin- ning the ranks of those who were participants in the events of the earlier days, and it is only by getting a true story of their lives that we can hope to have an authentic record. We sometimes wonder if the persons who have lived here during the past forty years do not pinch themselves as they look back over that period and realize the transformation, to ascer-


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tain if it is not all a dream. And yet it is not so different : men had the same hopes and anticipations then as now; they had successes and reverses, joys and sorrows, the same pas- sions and impulses. Their surroundings were as natural to them as ours are to the present generation, and they have adjusted themselves to constantly changing conditions that have come so gradually as to be scarcely noticeable.


The subject of this sketch, John Herbert Whetstone, is a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where he was born September 18, 1844. His parents were John and Katherine (Horn) Whetstone, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father's family consisted of ten children. Of the family only


RESIDENCE OF JOHN HERBERT WHETSTONE


two are now living, J. H. and brother, Albert H. Whetstone. The parents passed their entire lives in their native state and died in Bedford county, the mother at the age of fifty-five and the father at the age of eighty-five. Grandfather Whetstone moved to Michigan, then a territory, and was one of the pio- neers in that country. He died there.


Our subject grew to manhood at the old home in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where he received all the advantages of the common schools and also of a normal school at Bed- ford. He later attended Mt. Pleasant college in Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania. Many worthy traits of character


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were conspicious in the early life of Mr. Whetstone which have so creditably marked his later years - those of eager ambition, strict honesty, and untiring perseverance - anxious to progress financially, and at the same time make a record and position for himself in the world. After leaving college he taught school through the day and at night studied medi- cine and pharmacy. He continued in this practice until he had saved a small amount of money and had become master of his profession.


In 1868 he came to Iowa and settled in Cedar Rapids where he taught school for about one year. In spring of 1869 he en- gaged as clerk in William A. Morrison's drug store in Iowa City and remained in that position for five years. During his employment with Mr. Morrison he saved enough money to start into business for himself, and in 1874 he established a drug trade which has continued ever since. His first place of business became known in town and country as "The Little Drug Store around the Corner."


In January 1880 he moved to the present location and the firm is known as the Whetstone Pharmacy, the members being J. H. and Robert Reed, his son.


He was appointed post master under President Harrison's administration and held that office for four years.


Mr. Whetstone was married September 8, 1880, at Iowa City, to Miss Mahaska Byington who was born in Johnson county, and in the same house where they now live. In another part of this volume is an engraving of the old Bying- ton home, one of the few landmarks of the earlier times now remaining. It seems almost incredible when we contemplate the many footsteps that have passed over the threshold of this home which has withstood the changing years. The play- ful patter of childhood has gradually changed to the dignified tread of men and women who have passed out into the world to meet life's conflicts, and in turn children and children's children have been inmates under the old roof tree.


Mrs. Whetstone's father was a very prominent character in the earlier history of Johnson county - lawyer, politician and newspaper man. (See sketch of Robert W. Byington.)


Mr. and Mrs. Whetstone are the parents of two children :


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Robert Reed, who attended the schools of Iowa City and grad- uated from the College of Pharmacy in 1904. Edith, who died when seventeen years of age.


In politics Mr. Whetstone is a republican, takes an active interest in public affairs and is broad, liberal and progressive. He is active in Masonry, a member of Palestine Commandery No. 2 and Blue Lodge No. 4.


Both Mr. and Mrs. Whetstone are members of the Presby- terian church and take great interest in church matters.


OTTO HENRY FINK


On the roster of the honorable, progressive business men of Iowa City stands the name of Otto Henry Fink, a native of the university city, whose entire life has been lived within the borders of his native state, and for the most part within the county of his birth. Mr. Fink comes of sturdy German stock, both his father and mother being natives of the Father- land, the former being born in Hamburg and the latter in Bavaria. J. G. Fink, our subject's father, came to America in an early day and shortly thereafter settled in Johnson county. He was first employed as a traveling salesman, but later, in 1864, engaged with G. W. Marquardt in the jewelry business. The partnership continued until 1865, when Mr. Fink retired and took up the tobacco and cigar trade. IIe died in 1873. Mother Fink's maiden name was Anna Weigle. She came from Bavaria to Maryland with her parents when three years of age and to Johnson county when a young wo- man. Her marriage to Mr. Fink took place in this county. She is still living and enjoys the companionship of her chil- dren, with whom she resides.


Otto Henry Fink attended the public schools of Iowa City, and later was a student for one year at the German college in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Following this he attended the Wes- leyan university at Mt. Pleasant for one year. His first choice of occupations was farming, a business in which he engaged in Johnson county for four years following his school work. At the end of that time he removed to Cedar county, where he spent three years in mercantile business, one year in operating a creamery, and three years running a meat


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA


market. Thereafter he again took up farming, continuing for twelve years. He then returned to Iowa City, and six years ago bought the cigar store at the St. James Hotel, in the oper- ation of which he is at present engaged.


Mr. Fink was married in 1888 to Miss Margaret M. Albaugh of Cedar county, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Parsons) Al- baugh and granddaughter of Baldwin Parsons, early settlers of Cedar county. Mrs. Fink's father was a pioneer of the county and a farmer by occupation. He and his wife died when Mrs. Fink was a child. The family came from Ohio to Iowa. Mrs. Fink has two sisters living: Mrs. Wash Sailer


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RESIDENCE OF OTTO HENRY FINK


and Mrs. Bertram Hunter, of Chicago. Daniel Albaugh, of Cedar county, is her step-uncle.


Mr. and Mrs. Fink have two sons: John George, married, and living in Iowa City, where he is associated with his father in business; Guy Samuel, attending Iowa City high school.


In politics Mr. Fink has always been a democrat. He was township trustee for nine years in Cedar county. He is a member of Eureka lodge No. 44, I. O. O. F., Good Samaritan Encampment No. 5, Iowa City lodge No. 590, B. P. O. E., Camp No. 89, M. W. A., the K. of P. No. 24 of Iowa City, and Wapeshiek Tribe No. 122, Red Men.


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JOHN W. METZINGER


A plain tale of success amid the ordinary routine of life is the career of Jolm W. Metzinger, a native of Iowa City, whose entire life and business relations have been confined to the city of his birth. Mr. Metzinger was born on Christmas day, 1854, and was therefore an infant when the final scenes in the removal of the state capital from Iowa City to Des Moines were enacted. But he has seen his native town develop into one of the most beautiful of the great university centers of the west, and has himself become an honored factor in its growth through a life of faithful devotion to the homely daily tasks of citizenship.


RESIDENCE OF JOHN W. METZINGER


Mr. Metzinger's father was a native of Alsace, Germany, formerly a part of France, and his mother was born in Penn- sylvania. The couple met and were married in Iowa City, where Mr. Metzinger settled shortly after his arrival in America in 1836. He was a carpenter by trade, and for many years worked at that business in Iowa City. Later he removed to Sydney, Nebraska, where he died at the age of sixty-four years. His wife survived him, and died at Iowa City at the age age of sixty-seven.


Our subject began his apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade on July 5, 1871, and has followed that vocation to the


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present time. He enlarged his sphere of operations in 1883 by taking contracting, a work in which he has been contin- nously successful.


In 1875 Mr. Metzinger was married to Miss Maggie Rick- stine, who was born in Bohemia in February, 1853, and who came with her parents to America at the age of eleven years. Three children have blessed their union, two of whom are liv- ing, one having died when four years of age. The oldest, John Joseph, now thirty-four years of age, is located at Fre- mont, Nebraska, where he is a practicing physician, making a specialty of diseases of the eye and ear. Lillian is married to C. M. Sulser, and resides at Iowa City.


Mr. Metzinger is the owner of considerable property, among which is his home residence, his place of business, and other town property.


ALBERT J. BORTS


Nearly twenty years continuous service in the United States mail service in Iowa City is the record of Albert J. Borts, the subject of this sketch. In the faithful discharge of his duty as a public servant Mr. Borts has expended the prime of his manhood, his work having begun at the age of twenty-eight. For twelve years prior to this time he was engaged in the brick laying business with his father. Born in Iowa City, February 26, 1863, practically his whole life has been spent in Johnson county.


Mr. Borts's father, David Borts, born in Pennsylvania in 1833, came to Johnson county in 1855. He was a brick and stone contractor, and followed that business until his retire- ment in 1905. Some of the principal buildings of the city contain the evidence of his skill as a craftsman, among the number being the high school and grammar school buildings, I. O. O. F. hall, St. Patrick's church, Old Science Hall, Chemi- cal building, and many others. David Borts married Miss Mary Kemble, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1836. Six children were born to them : Ella M., now Mrs. J. C. Stouffer, of Iowa City; Albert J .; Nettie J., of West Liberty ; Emma L., married to Ezekiel Clark, Jr., died in 1891; Charles W., mar-


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ried and living in Iowa City; Lillian L., now Mrs. S. W. Hormel, living at West Liberty. Mother Borts came to John- son county with her parents when three years of age, and re- sided here continuously until her death in March, 1898.


Albert J. Borts was married in 1891 to Miss Alice E. Smith, of Cincinnati, Ohio, whose parents were also natives of Ohio.


RESIDENCE OF ALBERT J. BORTS


Six children have blessed their union: Bessie M., Wallace A., Howard D., Irving H., Edna E., and Ethel A. All are attend- ing school in Iowa City. Mrs. Borts passed away March 23, 1906.


The family are members of the English Luthern church. Mr. Borts is a member of A. F. & A. M., No. 4, of Iowa City.


WILLIAM ROBERT GRAF


Johnson county is one of the most progressive and produc- tive portions of the great commonwealth of Iowa. Iowa City, her county seat town, teams with industry, and her broad valuable acres are aglow with bountiful productiveness. In fact, her people enjoy rare achievement, morally, education- ally, and financially. This existing condition has been brought about by her representative citizens, and cannot live on withont the influence and assistance of this same class.


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA


Numbered in this class is the sound minded, honest-spirited young business man, William R. Graf. He stands ever ready to protect the best interests of business man, farmer, and laborer alike.


William Robert Graf was born in Johnson county, at Iowa City, January 28, 1882. His parents were Conrad J. and Anna (Hotz) Graf. His father was born in Germany, October 9, 1849. He came to America when eighteen years old, land- ing in New York city. He came to Iowa City in 1874; and, being a brewer by trade, engaged in that business. Later he became proprietor of the Union brewery, located on the corner of Linn and Market streets. This business was started by his


RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM ROBERT GRAF


father-in-law, Simon Hotz, in 1868. He married Miss Anna Hotz, June 18, 1875. Mr. Graf had one sister, Katherine, who married Mr. Snyder, and resides in Kansas; also four brothers, Nicholas, Philip, Christian, and Joseph. Mr. Graf died November 17, 1894.


Mrs. Graf was the daughter of Simon Hotz. She was born in Iowa City, January 27, 1859. Her parents were both na- tives of the province of Bavaria, in Germany. Her father came to America in the spring of 1850, and settled in Iowa City in 1857.


Mr. Hotz was married on December 26, 1852, to Miss Bar- bara Williams. They had seven children, two of whom died


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in infancy; five daughters grew to womanhood. They are Barbara, who married Benjamin Hugel, and died at Marshall- town, January 28, 1886; Caroline, who married Herman Strub of Iowa City, and died in June, 1903; Anna, mother of our subject; Ella, now Mrs. Dr. Emmons, living in Seattle, Washington; Julia, now Mrs. Murray, living in Iowa City.


Mr. Hotz died November 26, 1891. His wife died on March 18, 1904.


Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Graf were the parents of four child- ren: Simon, who died, November 4, 1910; George, who died January 22, 1879; Otto, married and living in Denver, Colo- rado; and William, who is the subject of this sketch.


William Robert Graf attended the schools of Iowa City, and, after completing his education therein, entered the brewing business, April 1, 1903, in company with his two brothers, Simon and Otto. The firm was known as Graf Brothers, and is still known as such, although the brother Simon has died since the partnership was formed.


Our subject married Miss Emma Tesor in June, 1905. Mrs. (Tesor) Graf was born in Iowa City, of Bohemian parentage, both parents living at present in Iowa City. They have two sons : Robert, born July 15, 1906; and Carl, born June 24, 1908.


Mr. Graf is a member of the Eagles, Iowa City lodge, No. 695; also a member of the Order of Owls, Nest No. 1002, Iowa City, Iowa.


Mr. Graf is enterprising and progressive. He takes a live interest in every commendable Johnson county enterprise, and stands ever ready to support the same financially and other- wise. He enjoys the respect of all his neighbors, friends, and business associates. He is looked upon as one of the stanch, intelligent business men of the county.


CALVIN WALDO HARNED, M. D., D. D. S.


Dr. Calvin Waldo Harned is unique and stands practically alone in his specialty of facial surgery in Iowa. His practice is widely distributed, and within one year he was called pro- fessionally to eighty-six towns. His combined knowledge of


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dentistry and materia medica, together with his technique of surgery, give him recognized leadership in his profession. At the National Dental Association convention, held in Den- ver in 1910, in which body Dr. Harned was a delegate from the Iowa State Dental Society, he gave three days' clinics in facial surgery, including operations on palates, hair-lips, etc. He was again invited in July, 1911, to Cleveland, Ohio, to conduct similar clinics before the National Dental Association. The value of his instruction was generally recognized by his fellow dentists.


Calvin Waldo Harned is a son of Luther William and Anna (Whelpley) Harned. He was born in Macon county, Illinois,


RESIDENCE OF CALVIN WALDO HARNED, M. D., D. D. S.


in 1879. His academic education was received in the public schools of Sullivan, Moultrie county, Illinois, and he was a graduate of the high school of that city in the class of 1897. This he supplemented by courses in the dental and medical departments of the State University of Iowa, graduating from the former in the class of 1903 and from the latter in the class of 1906. He began the practice of dentistry at Solon, Iowa, and continued for parts of two years, 1903-04. He was an instructor of dental surgery in the S. U. I. from the latter part of 1903 to 1908 inclusive. He is a member and secretary of the Alumni Association of the College of Dentistry, S. U. I .;


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a member of the Iowa State Dental Society and of the Na- tional Dental Association. He is a member also of the John- son County Medical Society, State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. Dr. Harned has made val- uable contributions to the Dental Journal and delivered papers before the American Medical Association. Fraternally he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. of Iowa City.


Dr. Harned married Miss Dorothy Heinsius, of Johnson county, daughter of J. O. Heinsins. The latter's father was one of the oldest physicians of Solon, Iowa. Dr. and Mrs. Harned are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Iowa City.


MRS. WILLIAM MARSHALL


The maiden name of Mrs. William Marshall was Martha Ward. She was born in Bridgewater, Michigan, July 30, 1838. Her father was Jacob Ward, born in Saratoga county, New York, in 1806, and her mother was Eleanor Lockerby, born in Schuyler county, New York. Mrs. Marshall came westward in


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RESIDENCE OF MRS. WILLIAM MARSHALL


1856 and settled in lowa City. She entered the normal de- partment of the State University there, that being the only department in operation at that time. Following her normal training, she became a teacher in the public schools of Musca- tine and Johnson counties, and of Iowa City.


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In 1869 Miss Ward was married to William Marshall, a native of Scotland, at one time engaged in the grocery busi- ness in Iowa City. Later he entered the real estate business, in which he continued for about forty years. Mr. Marshall died September 3, 1906. Since that time his widow has con- tinued to reside in the old home, which has been her dwelling place for upwards of forty-one years. Two daughters of the couple, born in Iowa City, reside at present in Scotland. The family are members of the Presbyterian church.


The house in which Mrs. Marshall resides is famous as the scene of the celebration of the first mass of the Roman Catholic church in Iowa City. The room in which this service took place remains just about as it was during the celebration of the mass.


CHARLES ALBERT WEBBER


Charles Albert Webber, president of the C. A. Webber Printing Co., of Iowa City, was born April 30, 1872, at Fer- ris, Illinois. He is a son of William J. and Mary A. (Pilking- ton) Webber, the first-named a native of Maryland and the latter of Illinois. William J. Webber came with his parents to Keokuk, Iowa, in 1852. His father was a tailor by trade. The family later removed to Missouri, and thence back to Illinois in 1858, settling on a farm near Nauvoo, the old Mor- mon town, where they made their permanent residence.


Our subject attended the country schools of Hancock coun- ty, supplementing his common school education with a course in the Gem City Business College, of Quincy, Illinois, from which he graduated in April, 1892. In 1894 he entered Car- thage college, remaining until 1898, when he became a student at the University of Illinois. He removed to Iowa City in 1899 and entered as a junior in the State University of Iowa, graduating therefrom in June, 1900. Following his gradua- tion, Mr. Webber took the position of assistant to the prin- cipal of the Iowa City grammar school. He became principal of the school in 1901 and continued in that position until June, 1904, when he resigned and entered the business of pub- lishing, in which he is now engaged.


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The marriage of Mr. Webber to Miss Neta Cutler, of Carthage, Illinois, took place in 1899. Miss Cutler's father was a native of New York and a direct lineal descendant of Governor Cutler, who made the first settlement in Ohio. Her father's mother was a descendant of the old Lillybridge fam- ily of Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Webber have two chil- dren : Russell L., aged nine years, and Charlotte A., aged four. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.


RESIDENCE OF CHARLES ALBERT WEBBER


Mr. Webber is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, the Knights of Pythias, and the Red Men.




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