USA > Iowa > The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self made men, Iowa volume > Part 15
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A sketch of Judge Greene would be imperfect without reference to a scene which occurred on the morning of the Centennial Fourth, when he was too
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feeble to leave his home. His residence is two miles from town, on a high point of land, overlook- ing from the cupola of his stately mansion no less than seven counties, and on the 4th of July between two and three hundred citizens went out in carriages and on foot to make him a neighborly call and pre- sent him with three sets of silver, worth more than a thousand dollars, as a token of their regard and their appreciation of. his services in building up the city. Judge N. M. Hubbard made the presentation speech, and we cannot better conclude this brief account of Judge Greene's life than by giving the address in a slightly condensed form :
MR. GREENE,-In behalf of the ten thousand good peo- ple of Cedar Rapids, and at the request of their committee, I have the pleasure and the honor to present you this silver service. Like your genius, it is brilliant; like your judg- ment, it is solid; like the lives and characters of your excel- lent wife and yourself, it is pure; and like the memory in the hearts of all our people of your public deeds and spirit, it is lasting. It is given by our people as a spontaneous heart-offering to testify our respect and esteem for you.
When the committee made known this plan our people hunted them, eager to share in the honor, and the commit- tee were compelled to limit the amount of their subscrip- tions that more might participate in this gift.
Praise belongs to the dead, not to the living, and I shall therefore pronounce no eulogy. It is enough to say that the history of the growth and prosperity of the State, and especially of Cedar Rapids, is your history. ... In the building of all our railroads, in the beginning and progress of all our public improvements as a city, upon the founda- tion and superstructure of all our manufactories, are found the impress of your organizing, executive mind, and the up- building of your hands. And now, after the unceasing labor of head and heart and hands for twenty-five years, and you feel that the great strain is loosening the tension of the fibre and of the nerve,-though the spirit flags not,-as you look off from this beautiful mound home, the work of your hands, upon that beautiful city which owes so much to you, perhaps you sometimes wonder whether the busy delvers and dwellers therein realize and appreciate the la- bor, the energy, the unflagging zeal, the unconquerable will and the executive power you have expended for their pros- perity. Let this token assure you. . .. Be assured our peo- ple bring this offering, not alone for what you have done for Cedar Rapids. but for your greatness and goodness of heart and brain also; for your good example ; for your pub- lic enterprises in behalf of mankind, accomplished and to be accomplished; for your virtues; for your manly, noble character, and, finally, for what you are.
WESLEY REDHEAD,
DES MOINES.
T THE subject of this sketch, a native of Penrith, county of Northumberland, England, was born on the 22d of July, 1825. When he was four years old his parents immigrated to Montreal, Canada, where his father resumed his occupation of dry- goods merchant. During the cholera epidemic of 1831 and 1832 the mother was stricken and died four hours after the attack, and in two weeks the father died of brain fever, leaving a family of one daughter and six sons. Wesley, the next to the youngest, being then six years of age, and his next older brother, went to live with an uncle at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lived until he was fourteen years old, attending school a part of the time, and worked as " printers' devil " the remainder of the time. He was one of the first newsboys, now so common in our large cities, and employed his leisure hours selling papers and magazines on the steamboats. In 1839 his uncle, fearing that he would be con- taminated by the evil influences incident to the character of his work, sent him to live with the eld- est brother, then a cabinet-maker at Fairfield, Ver- mont. He lived with his brother four months, but becoming dissatisfied, ran away, having five cents in his pocket and wearing a common suit of clothes.
He walked to St. Albans, and thence worked his way to Whitehall, New York, where he hired out to drive horses on the canal, continuing thus employed during that season; he then hired out to a farmer in Washington county, New York, receiving, as a compensation for his work, his board and clothes and three months schooling during the year. After two years thus spent he went to Saratoga Springs, and was employed during two seasons as "dipper boy " at "Congress Spring." Having saved a little money he now returned to his friends at Cincinnati, who had not heard from him for five years and hardly recognized him.
He next hired out as cabin-boy on a steamboat bound for the upper Mississippi, but when he arrived at Bloomington (now Muscatine) in September, 1844, he concluded to visit a brother who was living in Iowa City. Accordingly, hiring a hack in company with others, he arrived at his destination in safety late at night and stopped at Swan's Hotel. Before leaving Bloomington, as an accommodation he had changed a three-dollar bill for a stranger, and upon his arrival at Iowa City gave this bill to the driver for his fare, but he had scarcely got to sleep when the driver awoke him with the information that the
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bill was worthless. It was sad news for him, as he found by counting his money that he had barely enough to pay the driver and settle for his supper and lodging. Not being able to pay for a breakfast he went without.
He soon obtained employment at three dollars per week in the office of the "Iowa Capitol Re- porter," conducted by Jesse Williams, Esq., who was then territorial printer.
The constitution of the state was printed that winter, and Mr. Redhead had the honor of assisting in the work by using the ink-roller in the capacity of devil.
The next year, 1845, he went to Anamosa, in Jones county, to operate a carding machine, and was getting along well with his work when he was stricken down with bilious fever, from which he re- covered only to be taken with fever and ague, then very prevalent in the new country. Being obliged to give up his situation, he returned to Iowa City, where he had the chills for nine months.
Not being able to engage in hard work, he learned the tailoring business, serving three years, and after- ward worked as journeyman tailor until the winter of 1851, when he decided to start in business for himself. Going to Fort Des Moines, he continued his business for one year and then discontinued it, obtaining a clerkship in a store, where he worked one year at twenty-five dollars per month. At the expiration of that time he was appointed postmaster by President Fillmore to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Hoyt Sherman, Esq. He soon afterward opened a book-store in connection with the office; it was the fourth book-store started in the state, and the sales averaged about five dollars per week. As showing the growth of this business it may be stated that the present firm of Redhead and Wellslayer conducts a business of about three hundred dollars per day. He held the office of postmaster for nine years and then resigned. Since about 1869 Mr. Redhead has been largely engaged in the Des Moines Coal Company, being principal owner, secretary and superintendent. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Black Diamond Coal Company in Marion county, and besides is treasurer of the Des Moines Scale Company, a director of the State National Bank, and vice-president of the State Printing Company. He also conducts a large farm one mile from the city, giving special attention to raising hogs, and having some of the finest "Berk- shires " in the state. Mr. Redhead is never idle,
and in all his varied career has never sued any one or has himself been sued.
He has been twice married: first, in October, 1851, to Miss Isabel Clark, of Iowa City. Mrs. Redhead was a sister of Hon. Ezekiel Clark and of the wives of ex-Governor Kirkwood, Edward Lucas, | J. E. Jewett and William Rutton, of Iowa City, a noble band of women from Mansfield, Ohio. After seven years of uninterrupted happiness Mrs. Red- head died, leaving no children.
In 1860 he led to the altar Miss Annie Seymour, a native of Kentucky, who removed to Des Moines in 1857, a ward of Judge McHenry.
Of the seven children who have been born to them, Annie Bell, born on the 9th of September, 1861, is deceased; David was born on the 3d of October, 1862; George Seymour was born on the IIth of June, 1863; Lizzie Kirkwood was born on the 27th of November, 1865; Middy was born on the 30th of January, 1868 ; Charles Wesley was born on the 11th of December, 1869, and Robert Stone on the 27th of July, 1872.
The parents both being orphans have adopted Mrs. Burges for their mother, who lives with them, enjoying all the rights and privileges that a mother could ask.
Such is a brief outline of Mr. Redhead's career. As showing his personal characteristics we append extracts from a phrenological chart, given by Prof. O. S. Fowler in March, 1867 :
You, sir, have just one of the very best of heads, and it is supported by an excellent body, so that your natural talents are a good way above the average. You are, un- mistakably, a man of mind, and also moral worth; and the two united entitle you to universal respect. You may thank your mother, who you resemble most. Have both a strong mind and elevated moral tone, as well as good body, and owe it much more to her than your father. You have one weak spot; your vitality is not equal to the drafts made upon it; are a little deficient in nutrition ; have good fair lungs; better muscle; a better nervous system and brain; consume vitality faster than you manufacture it. You are inclined to undertake too much, your eagerness and earnest- ness exceeding your strength; a great natural worker, a real genuine plodder ; all the time poring over the one thing in hand; prosecuting every undertaking with the utmost assiduity, and that fixedness of purpose which challenges opposition and will insure success, break down all obstacles; nothing can stand before your indomitable will ;. always have been, and always will be, successful, because you plan wisely, execute with great energy and determination, and then hold on to the very last. Have this predominant talent of head for planning and contriving, for thinking, reasoning ; adapting ways and means to ends.
. Have a first-class judgment in everything ; are sys. tematic; conduct your business so as to accomplish the most with the least ; were always good in mathematics; are rather poor in fine colors, dress goods, etc .; are more noted for sound common sense than any other one trait; are quite agreeable and prepossessing, gentlemanly and courteous;
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never rude; hence, popular; are just as honest and fair a man as there is; any one could not be any more strictly, rigidly honest and upright, hence, are universally trusted; very careful of your reputation. . . . Ilave that versatility of talent which can attend to this, that and the other in rapid succession, but never give up; are quite fond of home ; thoroughly patriotic. Fairly friendly, but a little too busy to express your social feelings much; very fond of children, and willing to sacrifice anything for their sake; ought to be married if you are not. Show a good deal of policy ; make everything you touch pay ; there seems to be almost a magic in your business operations, they succeed so splendidly ; the real reason is they are so admirably managed. Are among the toughest men; may calculate on living to be old; are not quite clinging enough ; are cool, deliberate, but remark- ably active; never have been and cannot be discouraged; but hope on, hope ever; hope against hope. Have little faith, and worship much more in nature than in churches. If a christian, will live a good christian life, but believe very little; strongly inclined to liberal views of religion.
As good-hearted a man as there is in town; have given quite freely, though wisely ; are public-spirited; seem to be risky, but in fact risk next to nothing; are plain and sub- stantial rather than ornamental; more serious than off- hand; a really great arguer, reasoner and logician. Have fair speaking talents, but it depends more on the excellence of the subject-matter than on language, but if you had been trained would have excelled as a lawyer, more especially in managing a case. In business everything goes like clock- work. Read a man right through at a glance. Trust your first impressions of men, they never mislead you, and should always follow your own conviction as to business, duty, everything, they will be found next to infallible. You have every single prerequisite for a most successful life, especially after forty ; calculate on succeeding better and better till seventy. You have just caution enough to save you from failure, along with that tremendous energy which seems to risk where you do not. You know just how and where to take men. Your future will be one of steady improvement on the past.
SOLMON L. LAWRENCE,
WILTON.
S OLMON L. LAWRENCE, son of Elisha Law- rence and Patience née Clarke, was born at Weybridge, Addison county, Vermont, on the Ist of March, 1811.
This branch of the Lawrence family in America Irace their lineage to John Lawrence (son of Henry and Mary Lawrence), born at Wisset, England; baptized on the 8th of October, 1609 ; came to New England about 1630 ; married and settled in Water- town, Massachusetts,-said John Lawrence being sixteenth in descent from Sir Robert Lawrence, of Ashton Hall, England, who attended his sovereign, Richard Cœur de Lion, to the war of the crusades in the Holy Land, where he so distinguished himself in the siege of Acre that he was knighted, and ob- tained for his arms, "argent, a cross raguled, gules," A.D. 1191, which is still worn by the descendants of the family in Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire, England.
Our subject is sixth in descent from John, of Wis- set,- the intermediate links in the ancestral chain being Elisha Lawrence, born at Cheshire, Connecti- cut, 1764 (moved to Weybridge, Vermont, being the thirtieth family who settled in that township), son of David Lawrence, born at Canaan, Connecticut, who was the son of Jeremiah Lawrence, who was the son of Daniel Lawrence, born on the 7th of March, 1681, who was the son of Enoch Lawrence, born on the 5th of March, 1648 (at Groton, Massa- chusetts), who was the eighth child of the original John Lawrence.
The family is now quite numerous in New Eng- land, and has branched off into many of the middle and western states. The men of this lineage have been remarkable for large framework, great strength, courage and endurance and extraordinary longevity, a large proportion of them reaching to over four- score and ten years, and but few dying before the age of seventy. They were also men of peculiar probity of character, high standing and great influ- ence in their communities, many of them attaining also to great wealth. They were likewise men of piety, the family furnishing a large number of dea- cons and distinguished ministers to the church. There have also been a large number of scholars and noted authors in the family, as well as physi- cians, lawyers, soldiers and statesmen. They were also men of great benevolence and generosity. In short they have always been among the best citizens of the country, both before and since the revolution.
The following is the epitaph on the tomb of Col- onel William Lawrence, of Groton, Massachusetts, fourth in descent from the original John, who died A.D. 1764 :
He was a gentleman who in military life rose from the rank of lieutenant to the command of a regiment. In the year 1739 he was made justice of the peace; afterward quo- rum unus, a special justice of the court of common pleas for the county of Middlesex, and a standing justice of that county. He for many years represented the town of Gro- ton, with the districts of Pepperell and Shirley, in the gen- eral assembly of this province. In all his public betrust- ments he acquitted himself with fidelity and honor. In private life his behavior was becoming his christian pro- fession. He was remarkably industrious in the improve-
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ment of time, just in his dealings, a good neighbor, a faith- ful friend, patient of injuries and ready to forgive them, grateful to benefactors, very ready in affording assistance to the widow and fatherless, and merciful to all proper objects of pity. He was a strict observer of the Lord's day, a con- stant and serious attender on the public exercises of relig- ion, and a devout worshiper of God in his family.
" Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."
Captain Isaac Lawrence, also a great-grandson of the original John, who died on the 2d of Decem- ber, 1793, in the eighty-seventh year of his age, is thus described by a contemporary :
His stature was about six feet, large frame, not fleshy, erect, pleasant countenance, sociable, intelligent, excellent character and active, correct business habits. He is said to have erected the first meeting-house in Canaan, Connec- ticut. He accumulated a valuable property, had several large farms, which he kept under cultivation, was the owner at one time of twenty slaves, to whom he gave their freedom before his death. He made provision also for the aged and infirm, and the comfort of those that were needy.
It is said that when Lord Gordon and the Earl of Morris passed through the colonies to ascertain their resources and ability to bear taxation, they put up at Captain Isaac's house. His Lordship expressed surprise at the apparently good condition of his slaves, and asked them if they always fared so well. Their spokesman was London, who said: " Yes, massa, we have vittle enough, clo' enough, and work enough."
He held various town offices, was a representative to the general assembly of Connecticut in 1765.
The frequency with which his name appears in the records of the business meetings of his church, and in- formation from other sources, afford good reason for believ- ing he was an exemplary christian.
Captain Thomas Lawrence, fifth in descent from the original John, born at Groton on the 3d of Sep- tember, 1720, is represented as a man of gigantic stature, herculean strength, bold and courageous, experienced in Indian warfare and holding in su- preme contempt the valor of the savages.
He was commander of a company enlisted for the French war in 1758, from Pepperell and its vicinity; and while in command of a ranging party of about twenty men, in the same year, at a place called " Half-Way Broke," near Lake George, they were surrounded by Indians, and Captain Lawrence fell mortally wounded. His body when found was in a horribly mangled condition. Bullets taken from the spot and a platter marked "C. T. L," are still in the possession of his descendants.
Of Deacon Samuel Lawrence, of Groton, also fifth in descent from the original John, who died Novem- ber, 1827, in the seventy-third year of his age, it is recorded :
He was one of those who rallied at Concord to oppose the progress of the British troops. At the time the news of their approach reached Groton he was in the field, when, mounting his horse, he rode through the adjoining towns, giving the alarm and returning in season to join his con- pany at the meeting-house. In the battle of Bunker Hill he received a slight wound, and his hat and coat, pierced with the balls of the enemy, were preserved for many years. At the time of his marriage, and while the cere- mony was in progress, the tolling of the meeting-house bell called out the minute-men, whereupon he parted from his bride as soon as the rite was finished, and marched to
Rhode Island, hut shortly returned on furlough for a few days, after which she did not see him again till the birth of their first-born. He continued in the service till the close of the war, was promoted to the rank of major, and fought in many of the hardest battles of the revolution.
He was a religious man, and for many years before his death a deacon in the church. In connection with others he originated and established for the good of the commu- nity the institution now called, with great propriety, the " Lawrence Academy." In this school his sons received their early education, and well have they remembered its origin and the advantages they there enjoyed.
His widow died in 1845, in the ninetieth year of her age.
Our subject is a worthy scion of a long list of worthy sires. He was raised on his father's farm and received a fair common-school education, and afterward taught a district school in his native state till the age of twenty-one years. He was religiously trained and taught to fear God and keep his com- mandments, and he has been governed through life by these principles.
At the age of twenty he commenced to learn the carpenter trade, to which he served three years at a bounty of sixty-two dollars per year. On the 8th of March, 1833, he removed to Franklin county, New York, and worked at his trade in that and the ad- joining county of St. Lawrence for one year. He then removed to Orleans county, New York, where he remained three years; and in 1836 immigrated to then territory of Michigan, purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land in Branch county, where he resided for a number of years; improved the land, married a wife, and attained to considerable influence in the community. Represented his coun- ty in the Michigan legislature in 1851-2. In 1855 he disposed of his interests in Michigan and re- moved to Moscow township, Muscatine county, Iowa, where he purchased an improved farm of two hundred and seventy acres, on which he resided nine years with profit; in 1864 sold out and re- moved to Wilton Junction, same county, where he has since resided. During his sojourn in Michigan he held the office of superintendent of schools of his township for ten years, county supervisor two years, and representative in the legislature two terms. Since his removal to Wilton he has held a magis- trate's commission for eight years, and has been president of the school board of Wilton for three years.
At seventeen years of age he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Weybridge, Addi- son county, Vermont, and has not changed his re- ligious opinions since. He is now a useful and
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exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Wilton.
He voted with the democratic party until the southern branch of that party fired on its own flag at Fort Sumter, and tried to destroy its own nation by a causeless and bloody rebellion. Since then he has voted with the republican party.
On the 11th of March, 1840, he married Miss Harriet S. Morgan, daughter of Moses Morgan, a native of New Jersey, by whom he has had nine children, five of whom died in infancy and four sur- viving-one son and three daughters: Frances Cornelia, Arline E., Lola Patience and Arthur S. The eldest daughter has been an invalid during her life-time ; Arline E. is the wife of James Mc- Nutt, M.D., of Saline county, Missouri; Lola P. is the wife of Charles Curtis, a citizen of Wilton, and Arthur S. has devoted his attention to mercantile pursuits.
Like most of his ancestors, Mr. Lawrence is a man of large physique, of great strength of body and robustness of health. He has led a blame- less and exemplary life, never having knowingly committed a wrong or dishonorable action, or per-
mitted the commission of one where he could pre- vent it. He has been a total abstainer all his life. He is a man of strong moral convictions, and bold and decided in expressing them. Takes a great in- terest in the general as well as the moral and spir- itual interests of the community. Has always been foremost in promoting educational interests, and has battled hard and successfully against the foreign element of the district for schools of a higher grade. He is generous and liberal to the church of which he has been a member for over forty years. Takes a great interest in Sunday-school work, and has taught a bible-class and superintended the Sabbath- school of his denomination for many years, both in Michigan and Wilton, Iowa. Is a man of great benevolence and tenderness to the needy and un- fortunate. Has the confidence and respect of all who know him. By prudent management he has accumulated a competence, and with a conscience void of offense toward God and toward man, and a comfortable assurance of an interest in the atone- ment of his Savior, he is prepared to resign his body to the dust, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life.
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