Full text of "History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people"

See other formats

NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES

3 3433 08192030 2

HISTORY

BLACK HAWK COUNTY

IOWA

AND ITS PEOPLE

Jo\^

- —

^clWor _

ILLUSTRATED

> J « »

1 »

VOLUME \C '

. . ' ••

* '

• ."

•

if <>•

•i

• • . :'^

• . .'

•

t n • 9 >

• . ■ '

CHICAGO

THE

CLARKE PUBLISHING

COMPANY

1915

\ .

^ -V'v

70448?

''-^. •■•

BIOGRAPHICAL

FERDINAND E. CUTLER.

Ferdinand E. Cutler is the president of the Cutler Hardware Company, one
of the leading wholesale establishments of Waterloo. He occupied a prominent
position among the enterprising, alert and progressive business men of the city,
in which he has made his home for forty-eight years, or since 1866. He was
born in Canada and during his early childhood his parents removed with their
family to Lockport, New York, where he was reared and educated. He removed
from that city to Iowa and, establishing his home in Waterloo, became one of
the early merchants of Black Hawk county. Here he engaged in the grocery and
hardware business as junior partner in the firm of Weatherwax & Cutler. That
relation was maintained for several years, but in 1871, Mr. Cutler sold out, in
order to organize the firm of Crittenden & Cutler, dealing exclusively in hard-
ware. A change in the partnership in 1873 led to the adoption of the firm style
of Cutler & Parker and this was continued until the incorporation of the business
in 1891 under the name of Cutler Hardware Company. Through all these years
Mr. Cutler was the active and managing partner of the business and when the
company was incorporated in 1891 he became the president and now is the prin-
cipal owner of the plant. The business was capitalized for twenty-four thousand
four hundred dollars and in the early period trade was conducted only along re-
tail lines, but soon after the incorporation they began a wholesale business on a
small scale. Their patronage in that direction increased so rapidly that in 1901
they discontinued the retail business and since then have conducted an exclusive
wholesale hardware establishment. In 1910 they erected their present business
block, which is sixty by one hundred and forty feet and is five stories in height.
The building has been constructed with so broad a frame and foundation that
two more stories can be added if necessary and is especially arranged for their
business with an eye to convenience. This building is constructed of steel and
cement throughout and is practically the only true fireproof building in the state
of Iowa. They now employ about thirty-five people, while their trade covers
Iowa and southern Minnesota. The capital stock and surplus at the present time
is one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars — a fact indicative of the con-
tinued growth and prosperity of the enterprise. Mr. Cutler as the founder and
active head of the business deserves great credit for building up this important
commercial undertaking, which ranks among the foremost wholesale mercantile
interests of Waterloo. Something of his high standing in business circles is in-
dicated in the fact that he was honored with the presidency of the Iowa State
Hardware Jobbers' Association for three or four years. Mr. Cutler was one of

6 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

the founders of this organization. For the past three years, also, he has been
on the membership committee of the National Hardware Jobbers' Association.
He is widely known in trade circles and his business ability and personal worth
have gained him high regard.

In matters of citizenship Mr. Cutler has ever manifested a deep and helpful
interest. He was a member of the first city council of Waterloo following the
incorporation of the city and served in that capacity for two terms. Mr. Cutler
has since respectfully declined to accept the oflfers of numerous political positions.
He is most helpfully and heartily interested in all enterprises for the betterment
of Waterloo, was one of the organizers of the Commercial Club and Board of
Trade and for fourteen years acted as its president, covering the period of the
greatest growth of Waterloo. He instituted many plans and measures which were
directly resultant in bringing about the growth and improvement of the city and
the extension of its trade connections. He resigned about three years ago to the
deep regret of many, for his worth was most widely recognized. He was presi-
dent of the Humane Society following its organization and has been chairman
of the board of trustees since the time the Universalist church erected its present
house of worship. He has always taken an active and helpful interest in church
work and, in fact, his influence is ever on the side of advancement and improve-
ment along intellectual, material, social and moral lines. Fraternally he is con-
nected with the Masons. He occupies a fine home in Highland and he enjoys
the high regard and respect of his fellow townsmen, for his life has at all times
commended him to the confidence and good will of those with whom he has been
associated, while his ability and public spirit have brought him prominently before
the people at large.

JOHN H. STEWART.

John H. Stewart, vice president, treasurer and manager of the Cement Tile
Machinery Company, finds in laudable ambition the incentive for his persistent
and indefatigable effort which, intelligently directed, is leading him continually
toward the goal of success. He was born in Vermont in 1862 and when thirteen
years of age accompanied his parents on their westward removal to Iowa, the
family home being established in Winnebago county, where John H. Stewart was
reared to manhood and attended school. His advantages were somewhat limited,
however, because of the comparatively undeveloped system of education at that
early day. When a youth of but sixteen years he and his brother began drilling
wells and he followed that pursuit for three years, after which he learned the
carpenter's trade. He was employed at the trade for three years and then began
contracting and building on his own account.

In 1898 Mr. Stewart removed to Waterloo, where he became prominent in
business in contracting and architectural work, ultimately, however, confining his
attention and activities to the latter. The last work he did of that character was
in drawing the plans for the Ellis Hotel. He had been accorded a liberal pat-
ronage and had made for himself a creditable position in that field of labor, but
in 1905 he turned his attention to other interests, organizing the Cement Tile

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 7

Machinery Company. Three years before, or in 1902, he got out a patent for a
cement block machine, but later sold his interest therein and in 1905 he organized
the Cement Tile Machinery Company, which was incorporated in that year and
capitalized for thirty thousand dollars. Something of the growth and importance
of the business is indicated in the fact that the capital stock has been increased
to one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, of which eighty thousand dol-
lars has been paid up. The present officers are: J. M. Schenk, president; J. H.
Stewart, vice president, treasurer and manager ; and H. A. Sharp, secretary. In
1906 the company began erecting its present plant, containing thirty-two thou-
sand square feet of floor space, and they have from twenty-five to fifty employes.
Their business has gradually grown along substantial lines and their output has
a wide sale. Mr. Stewart is also president of the Cement Products Company
and is thus an active factor in industrial circles of the city. His business methods
have been thoroughly reliable and he has earned for himself an enviable reputa-
tion as a careful man of business, being known in his dealings for his prompt
and honorable methods, which have won him the deserved and unbounded con-
fidence of his fellowmen.

In 1884, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Ella Allen, of Mankato,
Minnesota, and they have become the parents of six children : W. H., A. A.,
Nina C, Mildred V., Naomi and Russell. The eldest daughter, Nina, is now the
wife of Clarence Basserear, of Waterloo, and Mildred is now Mrs. Fred Bartz.
Mr. Stewart is a Mason and exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the
craft. He has membership in the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and his
name is also on the membership roll of the Town Criers Club. His time and
attention have been given mostly to his business affairs and his close application
and excellent management have brought to him the substantial degree of pros-
perity which is today his. He is a man of resolute purpose, courage and industry,
and his record proves that prosperity and an honorable name may be won
simultaneously.

HOPE C. MARTIN.

Hope C. Martin, a wholesale and retail dealer in cigars and tobacco at Water-
loo, is a native of the city which is still his home, born in 1875. His father,
Henry Martin, was a native of New Hampshire and about 1868 became a resi-
dent of Black Hawk county, casting in his lot with the early settlers. For an
extended period he was engaged in the bakery business and was a leading
factor in the material development of city and county in the early days. He died
about twenty-four years ago and his demise was the occasion of deep and wide-
spread regret, for all who knew him recognized his worth and felt that the
county suffered a loss in his passing. His wife, Mrs. Margaret Martin, was a
native of Halifax but came from Boston, Massachusetts, to Waterloo. She was
called from this life twelve years ago.

Hope C. Martin acquired a public-school education. He became clerk of the
Logan hotel and in 1897 he established a cigar stand in the hotel. Afterward he
opened a wholesale and retail cigar business on Water street, where he remained

8 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

until his stock was destroyed by fire. With characteristic energy, however, he
immediately started again, opening his store in the Logan House block, and
when that property was purchased by James Black he removed to his present
location at No. 211 East Fourth street, having purchased this property for a
permanent home for his wholesale and retail business. He is now conducting an
extensive business, being a distributor of the best selling brands of tobacco and
cigars handled in the western markets. He has agencies in many of the cities of
Iowa, South Dakota and Illinois and has built up a business of extensive and
gratifying proportions. He has now altogether thirty -two agencies, cigar stores
and news stands in operation in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and the Dakotas and
is represented upon the road by five traveling salesmen. The business has
grown year by year until it is of extensive proportions and Mr. Martin is
therefore accounted one of the leading merchants of his city. He is also largely
interested in a number of good real-estate properties in Waterloo, including the
Princess Theater and the Hotel Martin.

Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Mayme A. Baro, of Waterloo,
and they have one daughter, Fay Dorothy. That Mr. Martin has attained high
rank in Masonry is indicated in the fact that he is now a Mystic Shriner. He is
also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has member-
ship in the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and he was one of the organizers
of the Town Criers Club. In politics he is a democrat, well versed on the ques-
tions and issues of the day, and he has served as chairman of the county central
committee. One meeting him at once recognizes that he is a most energetic man,
alert, determined and resourceful. While he has never sought to figure person-
ally before the public in any light or any relation, his influence has been felt as
a strong, steady, moving force in the business and civic development of the city.

L. A. KNITTEL.

L. A. Knittel has since 1899 been connected with the Waterloo Fruit & Com-
mission Company, of which he is now the president. Advancement has come
to him in recognition of merit and ability and today as chief executive officer
of the company he is in control of a large and substantial business that long since
reached gratifying proportions. He is a native son of Dubuque, Iowa, born May
18, 1862, his parents being John and Mary (Fettkether) Knittel, the former a
native of Germany and the latter of Dubuque. After living for a period of years
in her native city they removed to Bremer county about 1871 and for an ex-
tended period the father was identified with mercantile pursuits in the town of
Knittel, which had been so named in his honor. He was a progressive and rep-
resentative business man of his community and when he passed away in 1913 his
death was the occasion of deep and sincere regret. His widow still survives.

L. A. Knittel had an excellent home training in those lines which make for
upright character, while mental discipline came to him in his public-school educa-
tion, which was supplemented by a business course in Bailey's Commercial College
at Dubuque. Me then became connected with mercantile interests in the village
of Knittel and while thus engaged was appointed postmaster of the little town,

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 9

the third assistant postmaster of the United States giving the family name to the
postoffice. L. A. Knittel continued in business there for three and one-half years
and at the end of that time went upon the road for Albert Holzer, who was the
owner of a commission business which later became the Waterloo Fruit & Com-
mission Company. He represented Mr. Holzer for twelve years and gained for
him a liberal and gratifying patronage. In 1899 the Waterloo Fruit & Commis-
sion Company was organized, taking over the business of Mr. Holzer, and at that
time Mr. Knittel became a member of the firm and was elected one of the directors
of the new company. Two years later he was elected president and has since
continued in that capacity. His previous long experience with the trade made
him thoroughly qualified to become an executive officer and the keen interest
and sagacity which he manifests in the direction of the business are factors in
its growing and substantial success.

In December, 1886, Mr. Knittel was united in marriage to Miss Lena Tegt-
meier, of Bremer county, Iowa, and, they have become the parents of six children,
of whom four are yet living: Horace C, who is city shipping clerk with the
Waterloo Fruit & Commission Company; Esther M., a student in the State Normal
school at Cedar Falls ; and Louis C. and Ruth C, who are attending the public
•schools.

Mr. Knittel holds membership in Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P., and also with
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Commercial Club and the Town
Criers Club of Waterloo. He and his family are members of the Baptist church
and they enjoy the high respect of all who know them, their sterling qualities
gaining for them high regard. Mr. Knittel devotes his time almost exclusively to
his business, and his concentration of purpose, his close application and his well-
defined spirit of enterprise are the elements in his substantial success.

IRA W. BLOUGH.

Waterloo, strong, aggressive and growing rapidly, has furnished a fruitful
field for the establishment and conduct of important business interests, which in
turn have acted as a boomerang in the upbuilding of the city. Prominent among
the well-known representatives of financial interests is Ira W. Blough, cashier of
the Iowa State Bank. He is a young man, having just completed his third decade,
his birth having occurred in Black Hawk county in 1884. He is a son of W. A.
Blough, of Waterloo, who was born in Lanark, Illinois, and in his childhood was
brought to this county by his parents in i860. His father was A. J. Blough, one
of the pioneer dentists of Waterloo. On reaching young manhood W. A. Blough
chose farming as a vocation and was engaged in general agricultural pursuits and
stock-raising in Orange township until he retired from active business life and
took up his abode in the county seat, where he has resided continuously since
1910 — one of the worthy and highly respected residents of this city.

Spending his youthful days upon the old home farm, Ira W. Blough was
educated in the schools of Orange township and also spent several terms in the
Mount Morris College at Mount Morris, Illinois. He then returned to the home
farm and devoted the succeeding two years to the work of the fields. At the end

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

of that time, however, he came to Waterloo and became associated with the Iowa
State Bank as collector. By diligent service, trustworthiness and ability he has
won promotion from time to time until he has passed through all the intermedi-
ate positions to that of cashier, in which capacity he has served since 1912. He
is a popular and obliging official, ever courteous to the patrons of the bank, ex-
tending favors wherever possible, and at the same time he is most loyal to the
interes*ts of the institution and careful in safeguarding its ;business stability.

In 19 1 2 Mr. Blough was married to Miss Alta Rodamar. a daughter of Ben-
jamin Rodamar, one of the early residents of Black Hawk county, of whom men-
tion is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Blough have one child,
Mary Jean. They are members of the Church of the Brethren and Mr. Blough's
interest in community affairs is indicated in the fact that he is a member of the
Chamber of Commerce, of the Waterloo Club and the Town Criers Club. His
entire life has been spent in this county, where he is widely and favorably known,
and few of the young men of Waterloo have a broader acquaintance or are held
in higher esteem than is Ira W. Blough.

HON. ?IENRY O. BERNBROCK.

The sentiment is rapidly growing that practical business men. capable of
understanding and handling affairs of importance, should have control of the laws
which regulate trade conditions and affect the general interests of society. More
and more business men who have proven their worth as factors in the business
world are being called to direct and shape legislation and mark out the policy
of city, state and nation. As such a man the Hon. Henry O. Bernbrock is well
known and at the present writing is the representative of his district in the gen-
eral assembly of Iowa, to which position he was elected on the republican ticket.
His connection with the industrial life of Waterloo is that of president of the
Waterloo Laundry Company and president of the Model Laundry Company,
and in those capacities he has carefully developed and systematized his business.
He dates his residence in Waterloo from March, 1902.

Mr. Bernbrock was born in Quincy, Illinois, February 12, 1874, and pursued
his education in the public schools of that city and in St. Brancis College. When
sixteen years of age he entered into active connection with the laundry business
in Chicago, where he remained for about two years and then returned to Quincy,
where he became connected with the Weems Laundry Company, controlling one
of the most extensive laundries of the middle west. About 1897 l"*^ became a
])artner in the Weems Laundry at Springfield, Illinois, and there remained until
1902, when he came to Waterloo and purchased an interest in the Waterloo
Steam Laundry. In August of the same year he bought out his partner and
since that time has been at the head of the business. At intervals, however, he
has been associated with partners. On the 29th of June, 1914, the business was
incorporated under the name of the Waterloo Laundry Company with Mr. Bern-
brock as the president and A. J. Cornwell as secretary and treasurer. Broaden-
ing the .scope of his activities, he is now also the president of the Model Laundry
Company and he is a member of the board of directors of the Home Building &

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 13

Loan Association. Prosperity has attended his efforts during the period of his
residence in this city and with faith in its future he has invested quite extensively
in real estate in Waterloo and is now the owner of much valuable property.

On the 1 8th of February, 1910, Mr. Bernbrock was united in marriage to
Miss Jean Marcham, of Waterloo, and they reside at No. 709 South street.
They are members of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic church and Mr. Bern-
brock holds membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is
also a member and director of the Chamber of Commerce, the Commercial Club
and the Town Criers Ciub and is actively and helpfully interested in all move-
ments for the upbuilding of Waterloo and the uplift of her citizenship. His life
record serves to indicate what may be accomplished in a business way when there
is the will to dare and to do, for obstacles and difficulties can always be overcome
by persistent, earnest, indefatigable and honorable effort.

CONRAD D. WANGLER.

Conrad D. Wangler was a pioneer druggist of Waterloo and for many years
one of the prominent, representative and successful business men of the city,
but commercial interests indicated but one phase of his existence. Whenever aid
was needed in public affairs, whenever a worthy individual sought his help,
assistance was freely and generously given and thus in many ways he left the
impress of his life for good upon the welfare and upbuilding of the community
in which he lived.

A native of Germany, Conrad D. Wangler was born in Baden on the 8th of
January, 185 1, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Wangler, who always re-
mained residents of the fatherland. The subject of this review, however, left
Germany when a youth of fifteen years. He had already acquired a mastery of
the preliminary branches of learning in the schools of his native country, and
after crossing the Atlantic alone at the age of fifteen in 1866, he continued his
education in the schools of Cedar Falls, Iowa, to which place a sister had pre-
ceded him. There he not only became familiar with the English language but also
came into touch with American thought, habits and customs as exemplified in the
lives of the school children of that district. Later he became a student in the
schools of Waterloo and here completed his more specifically literary course.
He next entered the College of Pharmacy at Cincinnati, Ohio, and completed the
course by graduation with the class of 1875.

Mr. Wangler again became a resident of Waterloo in 1878 and in connection
with his brother, R. C. Wangler, purchased the drug business of Carpenter &
Smith. Their store was located on East Fourth street, but about a quarter of a
century prior to the death of Conrad D. Wangler a removal was made to the corner
of East Fourth and Lafayette streets, the brothers there erecting a good business
block: They conducted a retail business alone for some time but afterward sold an
interest to Mr. Todd, at which time the firm style of Wangler Brothers & Todd
was assumed. It was about that time or in 1900 that the Wangler Drug Company
was organized for the conduct of a wholesale drug business, with C. D. Wangler
as the president. Papers of incorporation were taken out and the business was

14 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars, but after a few years they withdrew
from the wholesale trade to again concentrate their efforts upon the retail busi-
ness. They had a large and well appointed store, carrying an extensive stock of
goods and doing everything in their power to meet the wishes and requirements
of the public. Conrad D. Wangler was also one of the founders of the Waterloo
Building & Loan Association and for many years served as one of its directors.
He was energetic and determined and quickly recognized the possibilities and the
obstacles in any business situation, utilizing the former to the best advantage and
overcoming the latter by determined and honorable effort.

On the 5th of May, 1878, at Cedar Falls, Mr. Wangler was united in marriage
to Miss Kathryn Landgraf and they became the parents of three daughters:
Clara L., now the wife of W. P. Kerwin, of Oelwein; Agatha M., who became the
wife of F. C. Braniger of \^'aterloo, and who since the latter s demise about four
years ago has been with her mother; and Gertrude J., also at home with the
mother. Mr. and Mrs. Wangler had celebrated their thirtieth wedding anniversary
ere death separated them. He was most devoted to the welfare of his family and
counted no sacrifice on his part too great if it would enhance their happiness. He
also held friendship inviolable and was always ready to extend a helping hand to
a friend.

In politics Mr. Wangler was a democrat, recognized as one of the party leaders
in Black Hawk county. He frequently served as a member of important demo-
cratic committees and attended congressional and state conventions as a delegate.
His religious faith was that of the Catholic church, his membership being in St.
Joseph's. He was the first to propose the construction of the new St. Francis
Hospital and was a most enthusiastic worker when the plan was actually under
way. At the end his greatest desire was to live to see the consummation of his
hopes, but this had been planned otherwise. He belonged to the Knights of Colum-
bus and held the ofiice of grand knight for two years. He was also a member of
the Waterloo lodge of Elks. To his church he was a most generous contributor
and was equally liberal in charitable work, serving as treasurer of the Associated
Charities of Waterloo at the time of his death. Wherever he was known he was
held in high esteem and most of all where he was best known. His long residence
in Waterloo brought him a very wide acquaintance and all with whom he came in
contact were glad to call him friend. He left the impress of his individuality for
good upon many activities with which he was connected and the material, political,
social and moral progress of the city was furthered through his cooperation.

GEORGE G. DUNN.

George G. Dunn is the proprietor of one of the leading and popular retail
establishments of Waterloo, the nature of the business being indicated in its name
— the Waterloo Furniture Company. Mr. Dunn's connection with the city covers
a period of seven years. He was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, in 1864, and
there spent the days of his boyhood and youth, the public-school system of the
county affording him his educational privileges. His life work has been along
the line of the furniture trade. He was first engaged in the furniture business in

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 15

Garden City, Kansas, wherehe remained for a few years, and later he was located
at other places until he came to Waterloo in 1907, at which time he bought out
the Waterloo Furniture Store and has since continued the business under the
name of the W'aterloo Furniture Company. He occupies the entire building at
Nos. 312-314 East Fourth street. The building is forty-four by eighty feet
and five stories in height and he has nearly twenty thousand square feet of floor
space which he utilizes in the conduct of a strictly retail furniture business. In
his establishment is found furniture of all grades and of both foreign and do-
mestic manufacture. His stock enables him to meet the demands of any taste
and pocketbook and he has ever in his trade recognized the fact that satisfied
patrons are the best advertisement. In addition to being proprietor of the Water-
loo Furniture Company he is also at the head of the Dunn-Hosmer Furniture
Company of Dubuque.

In 1885 Mr. Dunn was united in marriage to Miss Ida Jacobs and they have
become the parents of two children : R. A., who is in charge of the Dunn-Hosmer
Furniture Company at Dubuque; and Belvia, at home. The parents are members
of Grace Methodist Episcopal church and guide their lives by its teachings.

Mr. Dunn is also a faithful representative of the Knights of Pythias and the
Modern W^oodmen of America, and he belongs furthermore to the Commercial
Club and Board of Trade, an organization which has for its object the welfare,
betterment and business development of the community. He deserves much
credit for what he has accomplished, as he started out in life empty-handed and
without the assistance of influential friends. Today he is at the head of an
extensive and profitable business which furnishes employment to many salesmen.
He has their loyalty and high regard, for his has never been the command of the
tyrant to go but the call of the leader to come.

CHARLES SHERWOOD.

Charles Sherwood is by the consensus of pubHc opinion the leading florist of
Waterloo, conducting business as proprietor of the Sherwood Greenhouses. A
residence of a third of a century in this city has made him well known and his
fellow townsmen have had ample opportunity to judge of his business methods.
He was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1853, and there learned the florist's busi-
ness, with which he has been identified from the time he reached the age of twelve
years and with which he has been prominently connected from the age of sixteen.
On crossing the Atlantic to the new world he made his way at once to Waterloo,
where he had an uncle living who was engaged in the gardening business.

Charles Sherwood went to work in the greenhouse of a Mr. Fowler and twenty-
eight years ago embarked in business on his own account, establishing a green-
house where the Iowa Dairy Separator plant is now located. He sold out to that
company about ten years ago and removed to his present location at No. 550
Conger street, where he is the proprietor of mammoth greenhouses, having fifty
thousand feet under glass. The company of which he is a member raises all kinds
of plants and cut flowers and deals in seed. It has a downtown house on East
Fourth street, in the heart of the city, and its trade has steadily grown and has

16 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

now reached extensive and gratifying proportions. Mr. Sherwood's long con-
nection with the bnsiness has made him famiHar with every phase thereof. He
knows botany from both the practical and scientific standpoints and is acquainted
with the most modern methods of plant production. He has studied the effect of
soil and climatic conditions and there are few men better informed concerning the
best methods of plant production than Mr. Sherwood.

In 1882 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Sherwood and Miss Mary J.
Huggins. also a native of England, and to them have been born three sons : Albert
Charles ; Herbert William, who has charge of the store ; and Frank Huggins. The
oldest and youngest sons are also associated with their father in the conduct of
the business and have been thoroughly trained therein. The firm is today one of
the foremost in its line in this part of the state.

Mr. Sherwood is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Eastern
Star. He also has membership with the Maccabees, the Tribe of Ben Hur, the
Fraternal Union and the Sons of St. George. While he retains a deep love for
his native land, he is still more deeply attached to the land of his adoption and he
has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for
here he has found the business opportunities which he sought and in their utiliza-
tion has gradually worked his way upward. Ability and merit will come to the
front anywhere and it is these qualities which have established Charles Sherwood
as a leading representative of the florist's business in Waterloo.

JAMES E. DEMPSTER.

James E. Dempster, United States commissioner and secretary of the Home
Building & Loan Association of Waterloo, of which city he has been a resident for
eight years, was born in Fayette county, Iowa, in 1867. There he was reared and
educated, attending the public schools and also the Upper Iowa University at
Fayette. He early took up the occupation of farming, which he followed con-
tinuously until about twenty-nine years of age. when he was called to public office,
being elected auditor of Fayette county, in which position he made such a credit-
able record during his first term that he was reelected and served for four years.
He afterward became cashier of the First State Bank of Lesueur Center, Min-
nesota, where he remained for five years, and in 1906 he arrived in Waterloo. For
one year he was special agent for a fire insurance company, after which he engaged
in the general insurance business on his own account. He also filled the office of
justice of peace for four years and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial.

On the 14th of July, 191 3, Mr. Dempster became secretary of the Home Build-
ing & Loan Association and on the 22d of May, 1912, he was appointed United
States commissioner for this section. His appointment found its justification not
only in his ability but also in the fidelity which he had ever displayed in the dis-
charge of official duties intrusted to him. His time is now divided between his
official service and his duties in connection with the Home Building & Loan Asso-
ciation. He is also secretary of the West Waterloo school board, apd he takes an
active and helpful interest in many matters pertaining to the general good, cooper-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 17

ating heartily in all the plans and projects which are initiated for the upbuilding
of the county and the advancement of civic standards.

In March, 1889, Mr. Dempster was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Smith,
of Fayette county, and unto them have been born two children: John F., who is
with the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, with headquarters at Minneapolis,
Minnesota; and James M., who is with the Young Coal Company of Waterloo.
Mr. Dempster is an Episcopalian in religious faith, and he also has membership
with the Masons and with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is ever true to
his professions and loyal to every cause which he espouses and his well spent life
has won him high regard. While he has been a resident of Waterloo for only
eight years, he has been a resident of the state nearly all his life and Iowa finds in
him a representative citizen, who in all of his public service has subordinated per-
sonal aggrandizement to the general good.

G. G. BICKLEY, M. D.

The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of
Black Hawk county without learning that the Bickley family has been long, closely
and honorably identified therewith. It is of this family that Dr. G. G. Bickley is a
representative. He was born in Waterloo in 1886 and is a son of Dr. G. G. Bick-
ley, Sr., now deceased, who was one of the pioneer physicians of Waterloo, where
he practiced continuously and successfully for many years. His ability in that
direction and his efforts in other connections made him one of the most widelv
known and prominent citizens of the county. He died October 30, 191 1; and in
his passing the community lost one of its honored and representative citizens.
His son and namesake was reared under the parental roof and received home
training that tended to develop the best and strongest in him. His advantages
for an education were those afforded by the public schools and ultimately he
was graduated from the West Waterloo high school with the class of 1905. The
succeeding two years were devoted to the mastery of a literary course in the
University of Iowa and he then spent one year in study in the medical depart-
ment of the State University. At the end of that time he entered Hahnemann
Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated on the completion
of the three years' course, receiving his diploma and his M. D. degree in 191 1.
He afterward spent eighteen months in Chicago in connection with the Baptist
Hospital and his experience there was of untold value to him, as it enabled him
to put his theoretical knowledge to the practical test and to gain that broad
experience which only hospital service can bring.

Dr. Bickley returned to Waterloo in 1912 and has since engaged in general
practice, forging forward constantly as the result of his ability, determination and
laudable ambition.

In 1914 Dr. Bickley was united in marriage to Miss Lois Evelyn Storm, a
daughter of E. M. Storm, of Waterloo. Both are widely and favorably known in
this city and county, genuine personal worth winning for them the confidence and
good-will of all with whom they have come in contact. Dr. Bickley belongs to the
Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa State and Illinois State Homeopathic Med-

18 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

ical Associations and he is a physician in attendance at the hospitals of this city.
It is characteristic of him that what he undertakes he accomphshes and the more
difficult the medical problem which confronts him the more anxious and deter-
mined he is to gain a successful solution thereof. He is constantly reading along
broadening lines and keeps in touch with the advanced thought and purpose of
the medical profession.

LOVANE S. PARSONS.

Lovane S. Parsons, as proprietor of the L. S. Parsons Music House, is at the
head of one of the most important commercial enterprises of Waterloo ; in fact,
this business is the largest of its kind in this section of the state, having enjoyed a
steady and substantial growth since it was established on the 5th of August. 1876,
by him who is still the proprietor.

Mr. Parsons is one of New England's native sons. He was born in Vermont in
1852 and was reared and educated in the Green Mountain state. Upon attaining
his majority he left home and went to Boston, where he remained for about two
years, but at that time he heard the call of the west and made his way to Iowa in
1876. He came at once to Waterloo and here embarked in the music trade but his
first establishment bore little resemblance to the business of the present time, for
at the outset he had but one organ and one piano. He has continued in the busi-
ness now for over thirty-eight years and his trade has gradually increased. His
store was originally located on East Fourth street, where he remained until 1902,
when he erected his present large business block, forty by one hundred feet and
three stories and basement. He occupies the entire building, conducting a large
retail business, although he also sells to some extent to the wholesale trade and is
represented by several agencies located in different towns in Iowa. He handles
many of the standard makes of pianos and about one-third of the output is manu-
factured especially for him with his name stamped thereon. He sells about one
hundred thousand dollars' worth of instruments, mostly pianos, annually. The
business has thus grown and the success of the enterprise is attributable entirely
to the progressive methods and the close application and unflagging enterprise of
Mr. Parsons. He is thoroughly acquainted with the music trade and long ex-
perience has taught him how to purchase judiciously and sell with a fair profit.
He has ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement
and in trade circles he enjoys an unassailable reputation. He is also extensively
interested in farm lands in Iowa and Texas and is the owner of much valuable
city property, his investments having been most judiciously made.

In 1878, Mr. Parsons was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Garrabrant, of
Waterloo, who died December 29, 1893. They had one son, Harry O., who is
now general manager of the music house. He was born in Waterloo in 1880,
was reared in this city and completed his education as a student in the East
Waterloo high school. He has been reared in the piano trade and is familiar
with every phase of the business. He became his father's assistant at an early
age and as the years passed on larger responsibilities were intrusted to him.
On the nth of September, 1906, he was united in marriage to Miss Mathilda

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 19

P. Myers, of Waterloo, and ■ they have become the parents of two children,
Harry Otto and Virginia Myers. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Fra-
ternal Order of Eagles. He also belongs to the Commercial Club and Board
of Trade and is popular in these dififerent organizations, exemplifying in his
life the beneficent spirit that constitutes the basic element of these different
fraternities. He is also a communicant of Christ Episcopal church. In busi-
ness circles he is widely and favorably known and is one of the directors of the
Waterloo Retail Merchants Association.

L. S. Parsons was again married in 1896, Dr. Emma Dawson becoming his
wife. She was one of the two doctors who owned the Waterloo Electric Cure
and has attained high rank in her profession. She received her more specific
literary education at the Western Normal College, Bushnell, Illinois. She then
attended the medical school at Ann Arbor, Michigan, for two years and was
graduated in medicine in 1890 from the Northwestern University. Mr. Parsons
is a Knight Templar Mason and also a member of the Mystic Shrine. The
principles which govern his conduct are further indicated in the fact that he is
a member of the First Congregational church of Waterloo and belongs to the
Commercial Club and Board of Trade and the Waterloo Retail Merchants
Association, thus keeping in active touch with those efforts which are being
made to extend the trade relations of the city and promote its affairs. The
sterling integrity of his character has naturally gained for him the respect and
confidence of his fellowmen. He is widely and favorably known throughout the
county. The terms progress and patriotism might be considered the keynote of
his character, for throughout his career he has labored for the improvement of
every line of business or public interest with which he has been connected. He
stands as an excellent representative of our best type of American manhood and
chivalry.

P. E. RITZ.

P. E. Ritz, an attorney of Waterloo engaged in active practice in this city
since 1913, was born at Sergeant Bluff, seven miles from Sioux City, Iowa, in
1882. His father, P. E. Ritz, Sr., was also a native of that place, born in i860.
He there carried on farming and is still living in that city, with the agricultural
interests of which he has been identified from pioneer times. He is a son of
John A. Ritz, who came from Pennsylvania and settled at Sergeant Bluff among
the earliest residents of Iowa. At that time the Indians were more numerous than
the white settlers and he had various experiences with the redmen. The prairies
were covered with native grasses and the forests were uncut. Wild game of all
kinds was to be had in abundance and there were also many wild animals, some
of which were a menace to the live stock upon the farms. In addition to develop-
ing his farm property, John A. Ritz assisted in building the Northv/estern Railroad
from Sioux City to Omaha.

P. E. Ritz, whose name introduces this review, spent his youthful days under
the parental roof and after mastering the branches of learning taught in the lower

20 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

grades of school he entered the high school of Sioux City, from which he was
graduated with the class of 1902. He then entered the Iowa State University and
won his Bachelor of Arts degree with the class of 1907. His broad literary learn-
ing thus served as an excellent foundation upon which to rear the superstructure
of professional knowledge. Deciding upon the practice of law as a life work, he
began studying in the State University of Iowa and was admitted to the bar in
1909. For three years he was principal of the commercial department of the East
Waterioo high school and was the organizer of that department. He was after-
ward made principal of the entire school and so continued for a year, but at the
end of that time resigned his position to take up the practice of law, which he has
since followed in all of the state and federal courts. He served as special assistant
county attorney under W. P. Hoxie during the fall of 1913 and again in 1914. He
has been connected with much important litigation tried in Waterloo and it is
well known that he prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care, while in
their presentation he is strong, cogent and logical.

In 1908 Mr. Ritz was married to Miss Ora Iris Crozier, of North Liberty,
Iowa, and they have two children, Russell Wesley and Robert E. The parents
attend the First Presbyterian church and genuine personal worth has won for them
the high regard of an extensive circle of friends. Mr. Ritz is a member of the
Commercial Club and Board of Trade and he has been identified with many in-
terests of worth in his city. He is a stockholder in the Chautauqua Association, is
at present the secretary, and for four years acted as manager in planning and
conducting the Chautauquas held here. He belongs to the Black Hawk County Bar
Association and he enjoys the high regard and good- will of his fellow practi-
tioners because of his close conformity to the highest ethical standards of the
profession. His interest in all that pertains to the welfare of city and county is
unabating and, while he holds to high ideals, he uses the most practical methods
for their fulfilling.

CLYDE ORRIN LAMSON.

Clyde Orrin Lamson, a well known figure in real-estate circles in Waterloo,
was born in Waverly, Iowa, February 5, 1873, a son of James and Cornelia F.
(Davis) Lamson, who were natives of New York and of Iowa respectively. The
father served as a soldier in the Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry during the Civil
war, remaining at the front for three years, during which time he participated in
the battles of Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain and other important engage-
ments which led to the final victory that crowned the Union arms. He and his
wife are now residents of Anamosa, Iowa, where they have many warm friends.

Clyde O. Lamson spent his youthful days in Waverly and in Anamosa, Iowa,
and after completing his public-school education won his diploma of graduation
from the pharmaceutical department of the State University of Iowa with the
class of 1894. He then came to Waterloo and entered the drug store of C. B.
Henderson & Company as prescription clerk, occupying that position for two
years. He then went to Hamptofi, Iowa, where he remained in a drug store for
a year. On the expiration of that period he returned to Anamosa and estab-

\bhk

■riuof^

fOO

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 23

lished a drug store on his own account. He conducted that business for two
years and then came to Waterloo, where he established a real-estate office and has
since engaged in that line of business. He has negotiated many important real-
estate transfers and is one of the foremost real-estate men of the city. This does
not cover the scope of his activities, however, for in the fall of 1914 he opened
the Russell-Lamson Hotel of Waterloo, which he had erected and which is one
of the finest in the west. It is thoroughly modern in every particular, equipped
after the most improved style of hotel furnishings, and would be a credit to a
much larger city. Important and extensive as are his business interests in con-
nection with the management of the hotel and the conduct of his real-estate busi-
ness, Mr. Lamson has still further interests, being connected with the J. S. Kemp
Manufacturing Company, which was organized in Waterloo in 1903 as an addition
to the original company in Newark Valley, New York. That business was pur-
chased by Mr. Lamson and others and is continued for the distribution of fer-
tilizers, by the International Harvester Company, who purchased the business at a
good figure about 1908. The factory and main business, however, are at Waterloo
and at this point an extensive trade is enjoyed. He also built the Russell-Lamson
office building at the comer of Fourth and Commercial streets, which was the
first office building in Waterloo equipped with elevator service. Mr. Lamson is
both a forceful and resourceful man, ready to meet any emergency and capable of
wisely directing his business afifairs to a successful completion.

On the 28th of April, 1897, in Waterloo, Mr. Lamson was united in marriage
to Miss Lillian Richards Russell, a daughter of Rensselaer Russell, who was
born at Snowden, New York, in 1828, and in 1856 arrived in Waterloo. He was
married in 1853, in his native state, to Miss Caroline M. Richards and they soon
became widely and favorably known in social circles of Waterloo, while Mr.
Russell made for himself a creditable place in business life. He was one of the
first bankers of this city and was the owner of extensive landed possessions in
Black Hawk county. His poHtical allegiance was given to the republican party
and several times he was called to the office of alderman. He belonged to the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Episcopal church, and his life
was guided by high and honorable principles. It was his daughter Lillian who
became the wife of Clyde O. Lamson and unto them have been born two children :
Russell Orrin, whose natal day was October 6, 1899; ^^^ Maxine Russell, born
February 26, 1904.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Episcopal church and Mr.
Lamson is senior warden of St. Martin's church of Waterloo. Since age con-
ferred upon him the right of franchise he has voted with the republican party and
has several times been called to pubHc office, serving for four years as a member
of the city council of Waterloo, while for nine years he has been a member of
the school board, acting as its president for four years of that time. The cause of
education finds in him a stalwart champion and he has done effective work to
further the interests of the schools in this locality. In Masonry he has taken the
degrees of the Scottish Rite and of the Mystic Shrine and he also is a member of
the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Country Club and is a member of the
Chamber of Commerce, of which he became the first president and so continued
for six years, doing much to shape the policy of that organization and broaden
the scope of its usefulness. His life has indeed been a busy one, fraught with

Vol. II— 2

24 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

good results, both as to his own fortunes and to the public welfare. He has a
wide acquaintance and wherever he is best known he is most honored and
respected.

JOHN P. BERRY.

John P. Berry, superintendent of the Waterloo Waterworks, is a native of
Canada, but when only five years of age was brought to this city by his parents,
James and Mary (Pollard) Berry, both of whom were natives of England. They
crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1847 and after living in Canada for nine
years came to Waterloo in 1856. The father was first employed in "the sawmill of
Morrison & Wilson near the present site of the waterworks of Cedar Falls. He
spent the greater part of his life from that time on in Black Hawk county and
his last years were passed upon a farm which he owned in the vicinity of Hudson.
There he died more than forty-four years ago. In politics he was a republican
and was a well known citizen of early days, taking an active interest in all that
pertained to the county's upbuilding and development.

John P. Berry was born in 1850 in Canada and was reared in Black Hawk
county and is indebted to its public-school system for the educational oppor-
tunities which he enjoyed. He attended the district schools and also the Waterloo
high school and began providing for his own support as a teacher in the schools
of Black Hawk township, Grundy county. He afterward removed to western
Iowa and later went to Dakota, but after one summer returned to Waterloo. He
then married and took up his abode upon a farm, devoting two years to general
agricultural pursuits. He then returned to the county seat and learned the ma-
chinist's trade in the foundry and machine shop of W. S. Robinson, where he
spent two years. He then became connected with the agricultural implement
business of Brubaker & Cascade, spending two years with that firm, and on the
ist of February, 1886, he entered into active connection with the waterworks
department of the city as foreman, laying the mains and doing the construction
work. When the present plant was built he was the second engineer and he has
advanced through intermediate grades until more than twenty years ago he was
made superintendent, which position he has filled continuously since with great
credit to himself and to the benefit of the waterworks system and the satisfaction
of the entire public. No greater evidence of his capability and efficiency could
be given than the fact that he has been retained as superintendent for more than
two decades and that his identification with the department covers twenty-eight
years. He keeps in touch with improvements that are being continuously made
in plants of this character and has made the waterworks plant thoroughly modern.

In 1875 Mr. Berry was joined in wedlock to Miss Sarah Agnes Horn, of
Waterloo, and they have seven children. Myrtle, the eldest, is the wife of
George Gorson, superintendent of mail carriers in connection' with the Waterloo
postoffice. Oscar, who married Miss Myrtle Alexander, has been connected with
the Black Hawk Spice Company for about fifteen years. Fred V., who wedded
Miss Culetta Seibert, has been with the Iowa Dairy Separator Company for thir-
teen years. Claud C. is assistant cashier in the Security Savings Bank of Water-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 25

loo, with which he has been connected for seven years. Ray O. is in the
advertising department of the Daily Courier. Loren J. is a sophomore in the high
school. Pearl is the wife of Edwin Laughlin, of Cedar Rapids.

Mr. Berry holds membership in the Commercial Club and Board of Trade.
He is a Mason and is a past commander in the uniform rank of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and has served for six years as a trustee of the lodge.
His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Presbyterian
church. He is serving on its board of trustees and as treasurer of the men's bible
class, and he does everything in his power to advance the growth of the church
and extend its influence. He also belongs to the Old Settlers Society, has been
for three years a member of the executive board and may well be numbered
among the honored pioneer residents of Waterloo, for he has made his home in
Black Hawk county for fifty-eight years. He has therefore witnessed much of
the city's growth and development as it has emerged from villagehood to become
one of the great metropolitan centers of the state, its population fast approaching
the fifty thousand mark. He is very widely known and is most highly esteemed
where best known, a fact which indicates a well spent and honorable life. He is
one to whom there has been intrusted important public service and over his
record there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.

HERBERT BARBER BOIES.

For twenty-four years Herbert Barber Boies has been engaged in the practice
of law in Waterloo and his professional career has been marked by the steady
advancement which is characteristic of the present age. He was born May 9, 1867,
in the city which is still his place of residence, and is a son of the Hon. Horace
and Versalia ( Barber) Boies, natives of the state of New York.

After completing a public-school education in Waterloo Herbert B. Boies en-
tered the State University at Iowa City and was a student for two years in the
collegiate department and for two years in the law school. He was graduated in
1891. He then returned home and began practice in Waterloo, where he has
since remained. His success in a professional way afifords the best evidence of
his capabilities in this line. He is a strong advocate with the jury and concise in
his appeals before the court. He has a keen and logical mind, plus the business
sense, and a ready capacity for hard work. Moreover, he brought to the starting
point of his legal career certain rare gifts — eloquence of language and a strong
personality. His thorough grasp of the law and the ability to correctly apply its
principles are factors in his effectiveness as an advocate.

Mr. Boies was married in Waterloo in 1898 to Miss May Carl, who died leav-
ing one child, Addella. In 1909, in Sycamore, Illinois, Mr. Boies wedded Faith
Hoyt. They attend the Congregational church, and Mr. Boies holds membership
with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.

His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party, but
he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, although well versed
in the questions and issues of the day and interested in the success of his party,
as he prefers to concentrate his efforts upon his profession, regarding the pur-

26 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

suits of professional life as in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts.
On the 3d of November, 1914, however, he was elected one of three district judges
and polled the highest vote of all. He was a candidate on the nonpartisan ticket.
There is no doubt in the minds of his many supporters that his record on the
bench will be in harmony with his record as a man and a lawyer, distinguished by
an unfaltering devotion to duty and by a masterful grasp of every problem pre-
sented for solution. His is a natural discrimination as to legal ethics, and he is so
thoroughly well read in the minutiae of the law that he is able to base his argu-
ments upon thorough knowledge of and familiarity with precedents, and to present
a case upon its merits, never failing to recognize the main point at issue and never
neglecting to give a thorough preparation. His pleas have been characterized by a
terse and decisive logic and a lucid presentation rather than by flights of oratory,
and his power is the greater before court or jury from the fact that it is recog-
nized that his aim is ever to secure justice and not to enshroud his cause in a
sentimental garb or illusion which will thwart the principles of right and equity
involved.

J. W. RATH.

J. W. Rath is president of The Rath Packing Company, Waterloo, an impor-
tant enterprise which has featured largely in the business development of the city.
With other important commercial concerns he is also identified and is one of the
representative residents of Black Hawk county who well deserves mention in this
volume. He was born in Hardin county, Iowa, in 1872, and comes of German
ancestry. His father, John Rath, was born in Germany and about 1856 arrived
in Iowa, settling in Dubuque. Subsequently he removed to Cedar Falls, Black
Hawk county, and was living there at the time of the Civil war. In response to
the country's need he enlisted in 1862 as a member of Company B, Thirty-first
Iowa Regiment, with which he served for three years, or until the close of the war.
He was fortunate in that he escaped wounds and injuries, but he lost a brother,
George Rath, who was killed at the battle of Lookout Mountain. After the war
John Rath returned to Iowa and was engaged in the lumber and grain business at
Ackley, where he prospered as the years passed on as a result of his indefatigable
industry and capable management. In 1881 he established the Exchange Bank at
Ackley and continued there in the banking business until his death, which occurred
June 20, 1914, being widely recognized as one of the leading and prominent busi-
ness men of his town.

J. \\' . Rath, whose name introduces this review, was born and reared in Ackley
and pursued a public-school education there. Later he attended Bryant & Strat-
ton's Business College of Chicago and on leaving that institution entered his
brother's bank in Ackley. In 1891 he came to Waterloo, where he entered into
connection with his present business, which, in March, 1891, was incorporated,
his father, John Rath, being president ; A. Holzer, vice president, and E. F. Rath,
secretary and treasurer. The present officers of the company are: J. W. Rath,
president, and I'. J. Fowler, vice president, while E. F. Rath remains as secretary
and treasurer. Their business is largely that of pork packing, but they are now

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 27

developing the beef packing industry and during the summer of 1914 they erected
one of the most complete beef packing establishments in the state. They are con-
ducting an extensive business in their line, having the only packing house in Water-
loo. Their enterprise also furnishes an excellent market to stock-raisers of this
section. Their business is growing year by year, being already one of the most
important productive enterprises of the city. Mr. Rath is likewise a director of the
First National Bank and of the Waterloo Loan & Trust Company, a director of the
Rath State Exchange Bank of Ackley and president of the Fifth Street Building
Company. He finds delight in solving intricate business problems and his expand-
ing powers have made him one of the foremost representatives of commercial
activity in his city.

Mr. Rath was married in 1895 to Miss Maud Harbin, of Waterloo, and they
have two children, Anita Louise and Howard. The parents hold membership in
the First Presbyterian church and Mr. Rath is serving on its board of trustees.
He belongs to the Commercial Club, the Board of Trade and the Town Criers
Club, and is a Knight Templar Mason. His political allegiance is given to the
republican party and he is a member of the board of trustees of the Waterloo
waterworks and has been a member of the city council for two terms. He was
very active in the municipal ownership campaign that resulted in the city owning
the water plant. He does all in his power to further public progress. He has
ever felt a hearty concern for the public welfare and has been helpful in bring-
ing about those purifying and wholesome reforms which have been gradually
growing in the political, municipal and social life of the city. It is true that
his chief life work has been that of a remarkably successful business man, but
the range of his activities and the scope of his influence have reached far beyond
this special field. He belongs to that class of men who wield a power which is
all the more potent from the fact that it is moral rather than political and is
exercised for the public weal rather than for personal ends.

EDWARD L. ROHLF, M. D.

Thorough college training and service as an interne qualified Dr. Edward L.
Rohlf for the practice of his profession at Waterloo, where he located in
August, 1901. Since that time he has advanced steadily in the path of his chosen
calling and is today recognized as one of the able physicians of Black Hawk
county. He was born in Davenport, Iowa, June 10, 1868, his parents being
Amos H. and Dorothy (Schroeder) Rohlf, both of whom were natives of Ger-
many and became residents of Iowa in childhood. The former was a farmer
throughout the period of his active life. His father came to the United States
and died at the age of seventy-nine years.

Dr. Rohlf pursued his early education in the schools of Scott county, Iowa,
and for a year was a student in the pharmaceutical department of Drake Uni-
versity at Des Moines. He became a registered pharmacist and followed that
pursuit for seven years. It was a logical step to the practice of medicine, for
which he carefully prepared, supplementing private reading by a course in the
Omaha Medical College, now the medical department of the State University of

28 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Nebraska. He was graduated therefrom in 1900 and spent a year as interne in
the Methodist Hospital at Omaha, gaining that broad practical experience and
knowledge that only hospital practice can give. In August, 1901, he removed
to Waterloo, opened an office and has since engaged in general practice, being
accorded a liberal patronage. He is now secretary of the Presbyterian Hospital
of Waterloo, which position he has occupied since the establishment of that
institution. He has also been coroner of the county for a full term and a part
of another.

On the 9th of October, 1907, in Waterloo, Dr. Rohlf was married to Miss
Luella Johnson and they have one son, Edward L. They are members of the
Westminster Presbyterian church and Dr. Rohlf gives his political allegiance
to the republican party, having indorsed its principles since becoming a voter.
He is a Master Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias and an Elk. He
belongs to the Commercial Club of the west side and in strictly professional
connections has membership with the Waterloo Medical Society, the Cedar
Valley Medical Association, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American
Medical Association. He is a man of pronounced ability in the field of his
chosen calling because of his wide study, his broad experience and his humani-
tarian principles, which prompt him to put forth zealous and conscientious
effort on behalf of his patients.

M. J. MORGAN.

M. J. Morgan is the senior partner in the firm of Morgan & Sullivan, owning
one of the leading clothing and men's furnishing goods establishments in Water-
loo. He has been a resident of this city for but a comparatively brief period,
arriving in November, 1910, but in the interim has become well established as
an enterprising and progressive merchant, his life exemplifying modern business
methods. He was born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1872, and was eleven years of
age when his parents. Rev. John W. and Mary Morgan, removed to Wilkes-
Barre, Pennsylvania, where he continued to reside until he reached the age of
twenty years. He was then attracted by the opportunities of the growing west
and made his way to Deadwood, South Dakota, where he was employed for some
time in a store, remaining in the employ of others until 1902, when he formed a
partnership with J. H. Sullivan, establishing the firm of Morgan & Sullivan, who
conduct business as dealers in clothing and men's furnishing goods. They con-
tinued the business at Deadwood until 1910, when they sold out there and came to
Waterloo. Here they again embarked in business along the same line, opening a
store at the old Bradley stand with an entire new stock of clothing and men's fur-
nishings. Moreover, they supplied the store with new fixtures and now have one
of the most attractive, modern and up-to-date estabHshments of Waterloo. Their
business has steadily grown until they are now among the leaders in their line in
the city. Their business methods are thoroughly reliable. They are straight-
forward in all their dealings and this, combined with the excellence and attractive-
ness of their stock, has won for them a large and profitable, trade.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 29

In 1896, Mr. Morgan was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide Case, of Blairs-
town, Iowa. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the rules which govern
his conduct and shape his course in relation to his fellowmen are further indi-
cated in the fact that he is a member of the First Congregational church. He
belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and the Waterloo Club and he is one of
the vice presidents of the Waterloo Retail Merchants Association. He exemplifies
the modern spirit of the times in his trade relations. He studies every phase of
the business and all conditions bearing upon the trade and he believes thoroughly
in united efifort among the merchants to advance and upbuild the commercial
welfare of the city. His has been an active, useful and well spent life and in
Waterloo, as in the other districts where he has resided, he has gained many
warm friends.

F. C. STETZEL.

The record of business enterprise in Black Hawk county would be incom-
plete were there failure to make prominent reference to the Waterloo Skirt &
Garment Company, of which F. C. Stetzel is the efficient secretary. He became
a resident of Waterloo in June, 1900, but is an eastern man by birth, the place
of his nativity being McEwensville, Pennsylvania, and his natal year 1869. He
is a son of John and Fannie Stetzel, who removed with their family to the west
when their son, F. C, was a lad of ten years. The family home was established
at Colman, South Dakota, where he was reared and acquired his education by
attending the public schools. He afterward took up the profession of teaching
but, desirous to advance his own intellectual development, he afterward entered
the Iowa State College of Agriculture at Ames, from which he was graduated
with the Bachelor of Science degree in 1898. Still later he continued his studies
in the University of Minnesota and through the winter months he engaged in
teaching school. Afterward he matriculated in Drake University as a law student
and was graduated from the law department of that school with the class of 1901.

However, in 1900, Mr. Stetzel had entered the employ of the Waterloo Skirt
& Garment Company as a traveling representative and has since continued in
active connection with that business. After a time he became one of the stock-
holders and in 1910 he was elected to the position of secretary and member of
the board of directors. He has since had voice in the management of this grow-
ing and important enterprise, of which R. E. Montague is the president and Guy
N. See is treasurer. The steps in his orderly progression are easily discernible.
He has made continuous advancement, actuated by a laudable ambition and un-
faltering determination, and as he has progressed there have opened before him
wider opportunities which he has utilized to full advantage. Aside from his con-
nection with the Waterloo Skirt & Garment Company he is also interested with
his brother in the Waterloo Office Supply Company and is a stockholder in the
Black Hawk National Bank, with which he thus became connected on its organiza-
tion. He is Hkewise interested in other business enterprises and is a young man
of notably sound judgment, keen discrimination and indefatigable energy.

30 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

In 1901 Mr. Stetzel was united in marriage to Miss. Pearl McWilliams, who
won the degree of Bachelor of Science from the Iowa State College at Ames in
1898, graduating with first honors in a class of eighty-six. She followed the
profession of teaching in Iowa for six or eight terms and for a number of years
was connected with the Waterloo & Cedar Falls Union Mill Company. Mr. and
Mrs. Stetzel are members of the First Presbyterian church, in the work of which
they have taken an active and helpful part, doing everything in their power to
advance the growth of the church and extend its influence.

Mr. Stetzel has served on the board of trustees and for a number of years
was a teacher of the women's Bible class. He is also an exemplary representative
of Masonry, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree, exemplifying
in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft, which recognizes the brotherhood of
man. He belongs to that class who are constantly pushing forward the wheels
of progress. Opportunity constantly plays before the dreamer as a will-of-the-
wisp, but surrenders its prizes to the man of determination, energy and sound
judgment. It is not by reason of any unusual qualities that Mr. Stetzel has
worked his way upward but through the utilization of opportunities which others
have passed heedlessly by. Industry has ever been his watchword and has led
him constantly forward to the goal of success.

HOMER HORATIO SEERLEY, LL. D.

Dr. Homer Horatio Seerley, president of the Iowa State Teachers College
at Cedar Falls, is one of the well known educators of the country, having long
been prominently associated with the Iowa State Teachers Association and the
National Educational Association. Moreover he has been honored with election
to membership in the National Council of Education, which numbers but one
hundred and twenty representatives. Life is to him purposeful and his efiforts
are resultant, and various improvements in methods of teaching are directly
traceable to his initiative and his labors, his influence being especially felt in
the schools of Iowa.

Dr. Seerley was born near Indianapolis. Indiana, August 13. 1848, a son of
Thomas and Louisa Ann (Smith) Seerley. The father, who was born in Mary-
land in 1821, was a representative of one of the families who colonized Maryland
under the direction of Lord Baltimore. The mother, who was born in Liberty,
Indiana, in 1826, was a member of a family of Rockingham county, \'irginia.
Thomas Seerley went to Indiana by way of Pennsylvania when the city of Indian-
apolis was a village and there he was united in marriage to Louisa Ann Smith, who
accompanied her parents on their removal to Indiana's capital. Thomas Seerley
devoted his life to the occupation of farming. In 1852 he removed with his family
to Stark county, Illinois, and m 1854 went to Keokuk county, Iowa.

Homer H. Seerley was but six years of age when the family arrived in this
state, his childhood days being spent upon a farm near South English. His father,
a pioneer settler of the state, engaged in teaching school through the winter months
and also aided in the erection of schoolhouses and churches and in making other
public improvements in the district in which he lived. The summer seasons were

HOMER H. SEERLEY, LL. D.

^STO''

1.6

jO%

..O*^*

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 33

devoted to farming to the time of his retirement from active life, when he removed
to Iowa City, there passing away in 1904. He never held a public office, save local
positions such as a member of the school board and justice of the peace. He
served, however, as an officer in the church and in the Masonic lodge acted as
master of Naphthali Lodge, F. & A. M., at South English, Iowa, for twelve years.
His widow survived him for a decade, passing away in Iowa City in 19 14.

Following the removal of the family to Iowa Dr. Seerley became a pupil in
the country schools, which he attended from 1854 until 1866. His secondary edu-
cation was received in the preparatory department of the State LIniversity at Iowa
City, which he entered as a freshman in 1869 and from which he was graduated
with the Bachelor of Philosophy degree in the class of 1873. He received the
degree of Bachelor of Didactics from the university in 1875, the Master's degree
in 1876 and the degree of Doctor of Laws in 1901, the honorary degrees being
conferred upon him in recognition of the high position to which he had attained
in educational circles and his valuable contributions to the world's work along
that line. Early in his professional career he became a high-school teacher in
Oskaloosa, Iowa, accepting the position there in 1873. He had previously taught
in the country schools for three years before completing his college course. He
was made high-school principal at Oskaloosa in 1874 and the following year was
chosen superintendent of the city schools there, remaining in that capacity until
1886, when he was called to the presidency of the State Normal School at Cedar
Falls and has since been retained as the incumbent in that position, covering a
period of twenty-eight years. His power and ability have increased through the
exercise of effort and his activities have reached out in a constantly broadening
circle until he has left an indelible impress upon educational progress. He has
been a member of the Iowa State Teachers Association since 1873 and in all the
intervening years has never failed to attend its meetings. He is a member of its
executive committee and was president in 1884. He has been a member of the
National Educational Association since 1876 and in 1898 was made president
of the Department of Normal Schools. In 1891 he became a member of the
National Council of Education, a position of honor and distinction, inasmuch
as the organization has but one hundred and twenty members in the United
States. He is acquainted with many of the most eminent educators of America,
who recognize in him a peer and one whose contributions to the profession have
been of marked value. Since its organization he has been a member of the Board
of Simplified Spelling of New York.

In 1878 Dr. Seerley was united in marriage to Miss Clara E. Twaddle, of
Oskaloosa, Iowa, and to them have been born the following named : Dr. Clement
C, of Manhattan, Montana; Mrs. Claude E. CuUey, of Waterloo, Iowa; and
Mrs. Atherton B. Clarke, of Cedar Rapids.

Dr. Seerley is a member of the Congregational church of Cedar Falls and in
Masonry has attained the degrees of the blue lodge, chapter and commandery.
In connection with the great political, sociological and economic questions he
keeps abreast with the best thinking men of the age and association with him
means expansion and elevation. His profession has been to him more than a
means of imparting knowledge. He has ever believed that the purpose of teach-
ing is to develop capacity and has ever recognized the fact that it is in youth
that the life of a man is marked out, his future course decided and his choice

34 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

as to good or evil made. His efforts have accordingly been directed by a recog-
nition of this truth and he has made the object of his life work the training of
each individual to reach the highest perfection possible for him.

GEORGE W. PETT.

George W. Pett, a dealer in windmills, pumps and gasoline engines and also
taking contracts for well drilling and similar work, is one of the old-time business
men of Waterloo, having resided here for a third of a century. He was born in
England in 1869, a son of George and Bertha Pett. He was four years of age
when his father emigrated with his family to New Zealand, making the journey
by way of Cape Horn. They were ninety-six days in completing the voyage,
which was made upon a sailing vessel, and they landed in New Zealand, on
North Island, where they remained for six years. There the father and his
brother conducted a large farm of four hundred acres, but when six years had
passed they sold their property in that country and returned to England by way
of Australia, stopping for a short time in Melbourne. They continued the jour-
ney by rail and through the Suez canal, being passengers on one of the first mail
steamers to go through the canal. The return trip from New Zealand covered
about forty-two days. The mother died in England, after which the father again
left his native land and made his way to Canada, settling in Toronto, where he
remained for about a year. On the expiration of that period he came to Waterloo,
arriving about 1882.

George W. Pett accompanied his father on his various removals and was a
lad of about thirteen years when he arrived in Iowa. He retains vivid recollec-
tions of many of his early experiences in connection with their travels. After
reaching Black Hawk county he started out to make his own living and worked
out as a farm hand in the vicinity of Waterloo until he was twenty-five years of
age. He was then married and his last employer sold him a tract of land and
loaned him the money with which to build a house. Mr. Pett then engaged in the
dair>' business on a small scale, but gradually his patronage increased until he
became one of the leading dairymen of this part of the state, milking fifty cows
of his own beside buying milk from about seventy-five other cows. He thus
enjoyed an extensive trade and was in the dairy business for about ten years,
at the end of which time he sold out and came to W^aterloo. Through the suc-
ceeding two years he lived largely retired on account of the condition of his
health, but at the end of that time he bought a half interest in the Charles Burd
drill business and about a year later purchased his partner's interest. From that
time forward the business has steadily increased under the able management and
direction of Mr, Pett until it is the largest concern of the kind in this section of
the state. In 1910 he purchased the corner lot on West Fifth street and there
has a building sixty by one hundred and twenty feet, which he occupies in the
conduct of his business interests. He is a dealer in windmills and has sold two
carloads during the last year. He also sells pumps and does pump fitting and
well drilling. He also handles gasoline engines, wagons, elevators, barn cleaners,
etc. He is now building an addition to his present quarters and doubling his

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 35

capacity. He employs six men regularly and others as they are needed. The
property which he purchased for seven thousand dollars has trebled in value and
his business is a most important enterprise, the annual sales now reaching a large
fig-ure. Mr. Pett is likewise interested in other business concerns and is a man of
sound judgment and keen sagacity.

On Christmas eve of 1894 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Pett and Miss
Caroline Litchford, who was also a native of that section of England in which
her husband was born. They have two living children, Bertha Gladys and Charles
William. Mr. Pett and his family are members of the First Baptist church and
he is serving as one of its trustees. Its teachings find exemplification in his life
and his career has ever been an upright and honorable one. His activity in busi-
ness has not only contributed to his individual success, but has also been an
active factor in the commercial development of Waterloo. His interests are
thoroughly identified with those of the city and at all times he is ready to lend
his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the
country or advance its wonderful development. By perseverance, determination
and honorable eflrort he has overthrown the obstacles which have barred his path
to success and has reached the goal of prosperity.

JAMES I. KENYON.

James I. Kenyon is an active member of the bar of Waterloo, where he has
practiced since September, 1909, and is also secret.ary and general manager of
the Galloway Investment Company. He was born in Adel, Dallas county, Iowa,
in 1885, a son of I. A. Kenyon, of Waukee, Iowa, who removed to Dallas county
more than thirty-five years ago and at the present time is engaged in general
merchandising in that county.

James I. Kenyon supplemented a public-school education by study in Drake
University at Des Moines and, completing the law course, was graduated with
the class of 1908. He then further continued his studies in Yale University in
the scholastic year of 1908-9 and in September of the latter year came to Water-
loo. Here he entered into partnership with James S. Barr for the practice of
law, that connection continuing until August, 1910, since which time he has prac-
ticed alone, with office in the Black Hawk building. He continues in general
practice and has made an excellent record for one of his years. He throws him-
self easily and naturally into the argument. There is no straining after effect.
On the contrary, there is a precision and clearness in his statement that speaks
a mind well trained in the school of close investigation and to which thorough
reasoning has become habitual and easy. He has largely specialized in civil law
and is now attorney for several well known corporations. He served as city
attorney from 1912 until 1914 and he is a member of the County Bar Association.
Aside from his law practice he has been associated with the Galloway Investment
Company since August, 1910, and in August, 1912, he became its secretary and

attorney.

On the i8th of June, 1913, Mr. Kenyon was united in marriage to Miss May
Belle Daniels, of Iowa F'alls, by whom he has one child, Elizabeth May. Mr.

36 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Kenyon is a Knight Templar Mason and a Shriner, an Elk, a Knight of Pythias
and an Odd Fellow. He also belongs to the Town Criers Club, the Chamber of
Commerce and to the Waterloo Clul). His broad-mindedness keeps him in touch
with the general interests of society and he has been active along various lines
affecting the welfare and upbuilding of his city. He is now recognized as an
energetic, enterprising business man and a capable lawyer, and in his profession
he has won very favorable criticism for the careful and systematic methods which
he has followed.

THOMAS U. McMANUS, M. D.

The tendency of the age is toward specialization. There are comparatively
few representatives of professional life who attempt to master the various
branches of the profession to which they incline, as the majority concentrate
their efforts along a single line and thus gain superior ability in that field. This
Dr. Thomas U. McManus has done, specializing in the treatment of the eye, ear,
nose and throat. He is one of the native sons of Black Hawk county, his birth
having occurred upon a farm on the 7th of August, 1872, a son of Thomas P.
and Sarah (Rupp) McManus, the former a native of Knox county, Ohio, and
the latter of Richmond county, Ohio. They became residents of Black Hawk
county in 1867 and here the family has since been represented. The MciNIanus
family is of Irish lineage. The father served as a soldier in the Civil war, going
to the front in August, 1861, as a member of Company I, Twenty-seventh Illinois
Infantry. He continued his residence in Black Hawk county from 1867 until his
death, which occurred January 20, 1909. His widow survives and now makes her
home at Hudson, Iowa.

At the usual age Dr. McManus became a pupil in the district schools and at
the age of sixteen entered the State Normal school, now called the Iowa State
Teachers' College, at Cedar Falls, being there graduated with the class of 1893.
He next entered Des Moines College at Des Moines, Iowa, and upon the com-
pletion of a classical course won the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1895. In 1898 the
Master of Arts degree was conferred upon him. He entered the College of Physi-
cians & Surgeons of Chicago, now known as the medical department of the Univer-
sity of Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1898. He first settled at Dunkerton,
Black Hawk county, Iowa, but in 1899 he came to W^aterloo, where he continued
in general practice until 1909. Since that time he has made a specialty of the
treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He is an able physician,
well versed in the departments of general practice and particularly skillful in his
specialty. He reads broadly, thinks deeply and is conversant with the most im-
proved methods of practice and the most advanced ideas concerning his chosen
life work. From the beginning of his professional career he has embraced every
opportunity to promote his efficiency and in 1903 took a post-graduate course in
the New York Post-Graduate Medical College. In 1906 he returned to the same
institution for further study and in 1909 was a student at the Chicago Eye, Ear,
Nose & Throat College and Hospital, to which he returned for further work in
1910. He was a member of the Iowa state board of health and the Iowa state

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 37

board of medical examiners from 1909 to 1913 and was president in 1912-13 of
the state board of medical examiners. He ranks with the leading members of
his profession in the state and has been honored with the presidency of the
Waterloo Medical Society and of the Black Hawk County Medical Society ; he is
a member of the Iowa State Medical Association and the American Medical
Association.

On the 23d of August, 1898, at Hudson, Dr. McManus was united in
marriage to Miss Mae B. Loonan, a daughter of Thomas Loonan, and they have
one son, Thomas L. In his political views Dr. McManus is a republican but not
an ofifice seeker, the only office he has ever filled being that of coroner of Black
Hawk county for two terms, from 1903 until 1907. He belongs to the Commercial
Club, is a Master Mason and a Baptist — associations which indicate much of
the nature of his interests and the relations which govern his conduct. He is a
broad-minded, progressive and public-spirited man.

F. J. LANDGRAF.

F. J. Landgraf is well known as a druggist of Waterloo, also as vice president
of the Armstrong Manufacturing Company and as a director of the Security
Savings Bank. The drug business is conducted under the firm name of Landgraf
& Company and is one of the leading establishments of this character in Black
Hawk county. For a third of a century Mr. Landgraf has lived in Waterloo and
his many sterling traits of character have found recognition in the high regard
and confidence of colleagues and contemporaries. He was born in Cedar Falls,
Iowa, in 1869, a son of Thomas Landgraf, who arrived at that place in the early
'50s. He was a pioneer in the merchant-tailoring business at Cedar Falls and
there he continued active in business to the time of his death, winning a place
among the leading residents of the city.

F. J. Landgraf spent his youthful days in his parents' home and was graduated
from the East Waterloo high school, wherein he completed his more specifically
literary education. He afterward attended the College of Pharmacy in Phila-
delphia and still later was graduated from the Northwestern College of Pharmacy
in Chicago, thus receiving thorough scientific training in the business which he
wished to make his life work. He afterward was employed for a year in Le Mars,
Iowa, and on the expiration of that period came to Waterloo. He has since been
connected with the drug trade of this city and in 1893 he embarked in business
on his own account in the same room which he now occupies. His trade has in-
creased year by year. His business methods have always been such as will bear
the closest investigation and scrutiny and his energy and enterprise have enabled
him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles in his path. The drug house of
Landgraf & Company is one of the most popular as well as one of the most ex-
tensive establishments of its kind in the city. Its neat and tasteful arrangement
renders it very attractive, while the honorable business methods of the firm com-
mend it to the support of the public.

Mr. Landgraf became identified with the manufacturing interests of Waterloo
about twelve years ago and at the present time is vice president of the Armstrong

:^8 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Manufacturing Company and is one of the oldest stockholders of that company.
He is likewise a stockholder in the Commercial National Bank and a director of
the Security Savings Bank. His investments have been judiciously made and have
brought gratifying returns. For the last seven years Mr. Landgraf has also had
charge of postal station No. i at Waterloo.

In 1891 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Landgraf and Miss Jennie \\'escott,
of Wisconsin, and they are the parents of two children, Florence and Thomas.
Mr. Landgraf is a Knight of Pythias and an Elk, and in Masonry he has attained
the Knights Templar degree in Ascalon Commandery. Well defined purpose and
laudable ambition have brought him success in business affairs, while attractive
social qualities have gained for him the high regard of all with whom he has
come in contact in other relations.

ROY L. STETZEL.

Roy L. Stetzel is manager of the ^^'aterloo Office Supply Company, a business
that was established in 1909 by R. L. and F. C. Stetzel. They are conducting
both a wholesale and retail business in office fixtures and supplies and also in
stationery and the enterprise is enjoying a steady and substantial growth, which
indicates the reliable business methods employed by the firm. During the eight
years of his residence in Waterloo, Roy L. Stetzel has become widely and favor-
ably known and his many substantial traits of character have gained him high
regard. Pennsylvania numbers him among her native sons, his birth having
occurred in McEwensville in 1878. During his early childhood his parents removed
with their family to South Dakota, where the period of his youth was passed,
while the public schools afforded him his educational privileges.

After leaving school Mr. Stetzel was engaged in the drug and jewelry business
in Colman, South Dakota, until he came to \\'aterloo in 1906. In that year he
went upon the road as a traveling salesman for the Waterloo Skirt & Garment
Company, with which he was thus connected until he and his brother, F. C.
Stetzel, established the present business under the name of the Waterloo Office
Supply Company. They are still joint owners, but Roy L. Stetzel acts as manager.
In connection with the sale of office fixtures and supplies they have a bindery and
printing department at No. 5i7>^ W^ater street, while their main office is at No. 18
Bridge street. Both branches of their business are growing steadily and bringing
to them a substantial and gratifying profit.

In 1909 Mr. Stetzel was united in marriage to Miss Besse Herriott, of Elm-
wood, Illinois, and to them have been born two children. Sidney W. and Ruth
Herriott. The parents are members 01 the First Presbyterian church, taking an
active interest in its work and contributing generously to its support.

Mr. Stetzel is well known as a Mason and has attained the Knight Templar
degree in Ascalon Commandery. Although born in the east, the greater part of
his life has been spent on this side the Mississippi and he possesses the spirit of
enterprise and progress which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of
the west. In all of his business career determination has enabled him to over-
come difficulties and obstacles and as a business man he is conspicuous among his

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 39

associates, not only for his success, but for probity, fairness and the honorable
methods which he has followed. In everything he has been eminently practical
and this has been manifest not only in his business undertakings, but also in his
social and private life.

C. F. ALTSTADT.

C. F. Altstadt is the president and manager of the Altstadt & Langlas Baking
Company of Waterloo, which is conducting a wholesale and retail business, and
which is the largest concern of the kind in Black Hawk county. The business
has been in continuous existence for twelve years. Mr. Altstadt is a native of
Iowa, his birth having occurred in Franklin county in 1875. There the period of
his boyhood and youth was passed to the age of eighteen years, when he left Iowa
and went to Texas, where he was engaged in the restaurant business. After a
few years, however, he removed to this state and settled at Waverly, where he
lived until he came to Waterloo in 1900. Throughout the intervening period he
has been connected with the bakery business in this city and has been an active
guiding spirit in the development of an enterprise that is today one of large pro-
portions and constitutes a factor in the prosperity of the county.

The Altstadt & Langlas Baking Company has a large plant at the corner of
Mulberry and Elm streets, where it has a two-story brick building, the dimen-
sions of the building being one hundred and thirty feet square. The daily
capacity is about twenty-five thousand loaves of bread, two thousand pies and
fifteen thousand dozen of cookies and other small goods. About fourteen thou-
sand pounds of flour are used annually and there are about sixty employes. The^
company utilizes eight wagons and three auto trucks in delivery and ships its
goods to about eighty dififerent towns and cities. The business was incorporated
in 1906 and was capitalized for eighty thousand dollars, with Mr. Altstadt as the
president and manager and Mr. Langlas as the secretary and treasurer. From the
beginning the enterprise has grown and prospered and today the volume of busi-
ness makes the Altstadt & Langlas Baking Company one of the most important
manufacturing enterprises of Waterloo. In addition to his other interests Mr.
Altstadt is a director of the German-American Life Insurance Company of
Burlington.

In 1902, Mr. Altstadt was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Langlas and
they have become the parents of two children, Louis E. and Charlotte E. Mr.
Altstadt belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Commercial Club
and Board of Trade, and he and his wife are members of the Evangelical church,
in the work of which they take a most active and helpful interest. Mr. Altstadt
is serving on the board of trustees of the church and he cooperates in many
measures and movements for the uplift and benefit of humanity. He is now serv-
ing as a member of the board of education of the East Waterloo schools. He is
also a member of the board of trustees of the Western Old People's Home and
is a member of the Board of Laymen's Missionary Movement. His life has ever
been actuated by high and honorable principles and the ideals which he has cher-
ished have found expression in practical efforts for their fulfillment. He is a man

40 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

of broad sympathies and the poor and needy have found in him a friend. His Hfe
has indeed been one of usefulness, not only on account of his business affairs, but
also on account of -his recognition of the brotherhood of man and his efforts to
ameliorate the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate.

EMMONS JOHNSON.

One who is a keen judge of human nature has said that Emmons Johnson "is
one of the most prominent business men of Waterloo. He ranks at the top so-
cially, financially and morally." It is not the province of biography to give voice
to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments but rather to
leave the record establishing his position to the consensus of public opinion, and
judged in this light it is safe to characterize Emmons Johnson as one of the
foremost citizens of Black Hawk county. He has been prominently identified
with commercial interests of the state and for many years has been actively
engaged in the banking business, being now president of the Leavitt & Johnson
Trust Company and president of the Waterloo Savings Bank. He is almost an
octogenarian yet remains an active factor in the business world. He was bom
January 23, 1835, in Ellicottville, New York, a son of Elisha and Herma (Jewett)
Johnson, the former a native of New York and the latter of Connecticut. The
father also reached an advanced age, passing away in 1870.

In early boyhood Emmons Johnson attended the schools of Ashford and Otto,
New York, embracing every opportunity to acquire an education up to the time
he reached the age of twenty-two or twenty-three years. For a time he was a
student in academies at Springville and Fredonia, New York, and for one term
attended Brown University at Providence, Rhode Island. Mr. Johnson was a
young man of twenty-five years when he sought the opportunities of the growing
west, making his way in i860 to W^aterloo, where he has spent most of the time
since, although he made his home in Independence, Iowa, for a time, was also a
resident of Evanston, Illinois, for a year and although from 1864 until 1870 he
was engaged in the banking business in Waverly. Following his arrival here he
became connected with the grain and lumber trades and was associated with C. A.
Farwell in building the first grain elevator at Waterloo, which he afterward
operated. He also conducted a grain business at Independence, Iowa, where he
made his home for a few months, also owning the first elevator in that place.
For a year he conducted a grain commission business in Chicago and was a mem-
ber of the Chicago Board of Trade, making his home in Evanston during that
period. Removing to Waverly in 1864, he there established the first bank in
Bremer county, remaining its owner until 1870, when he sold out to a stock com-
pany and returned to Waterloo to become a partner in the firm of Leavitt, Johnson
&; Lusch, conducting a private banking business. After six years Mr. Lusch sold
out to his partners and the firm continued as Leavitt & Johnson until 1898, when
the business was reorganized into the Leavitt & Johnson National Bank. Although
the name of Mr. Johnson is continued he is not connected with that institution
at present. In 1902 he organized the Waterloo Savings Bank, in which he owns
two-thirds of the stock.

^nF^^^jF^..i'.(

^^^K#^r

,„-*

'"' ifll

Bof^^j^, ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^1

"■-

^■%tP

fUP^^^H

^^^^EJrhb^, ' '"

r ■ '■•v'^-^ ■,.■■'

|fl

^"'"i^^liL— J

jH^^Mj

'^^^i^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^l

EMMONS JOHNSON

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 43

In 1891 the Leavitt & Johnson Trust Company was organized to conduct the
farm loan department of the business which had formerly been carried on by the
banking firm of Leavitt & Johnson, and to this Mr. Johnson has since devoted his
time. In 1898 he purchased the entire interest of Mr. Leavitt in the trust com-
pany and has since directed its affairs, which are in excellent condition, the volume
of business having greatly increased under his care. The company does prob-
ably the largest farm loan business in the state, having a large clientage in most
of the counties of northwestern Iowa. In 1903 Mr. Johnson purchased stock
in the First National Bank of Waverly to the amount of sixty-four hundred
shares — nearly two-thirds of the stock. This bank is capitalized for one hundred
thousand dollars and is the successor to the bank which Mr. Johnson established
in Waverly in 1864. Every phase of the banking business is familiar to him and
in the conduct of the Trust Company and of the Waterloo Savings Bank he has
displayed sound judgment and unfaltering energy. He holds considerable real
estate in Waterloo and his investments have always been judiciously made,
bringing to him substantial success. He is a man of determined purpose, carry-
ing forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He has displayed
marked ability in combining and coordinating seemingly diverse elements into a
unified and harmonious whole and his life record constitutes an example that
might be profitably followed by many others, showing what may be accomplished
when enterprise and energy point out the way.

On the 27th of October, 1859, at Morrisville, New York, Mr. Johnson was
united in marriage to Miss Lucy Leland, of that place, and they became the parents
of six children : Elbert Leland, who is now vice president of the Leavitt & John-
son Trust Company, president of the First National Bank of Waverly and vice
president of the Waterloo Savings Bank, and who in 1914 was elected a director
of the Federal Reserve Bank at Chicago; Lewis E., engineer for the bridge and
construction department of the Pennsylvania Steel Company, at Steelton, Penn-
sylvania ; Allan Jewett, who died at the age of eighteen months ; Marion L., now
the widow of J. D. Easton ; Walter E., a resident of Nampa, Idaho, engaged in
farming; and Alice Lucy, the wife of David H. McKee, of Des Moines. The wife
and mother passed away in March, 1892. On the 28th of March, 1895, Mr. John-
son married Mrs. Ella H. C. Kellogg, of Rochester, New York.

Mr. Johnson holds membership with the Congregational church and also with
the Masonic fraternity. His political allegiance was formerly given to the re-
publican party but since the formation of the progressive party he has been a
supporter of its principles. While living in Waverly he was elected state senator
from Bremer county, continuing in that position until his removal to Waterloo,
when he resigned. He has ever been deeply interested in the upbuilding and wel-
fare of the community in which he makes his home and has generously contributed
to many projects for the public good. Last year he gave Cornell College $29,000.
His fellow townsmen, recognizing the wisdom of his judgment, do not hesitate
to follow his example. It is seldom that one of his years remains so active in
business, but old age need not necessarily suggest idleness or want of occupation.
On the contrary there is an old age which grows stronger and broader mentally
and morally as the years go by and yields out of its rich stores of wisdom and
experience for the benefit of others. Such is the record of Mr. Johnson. Through-
out his entire life he has never made engagements that he has not kept nor in-

Vol. II— 3

44 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

curred obligations that he has not met. Not only has he never taken any ad-
vantage of those with whom he has transacted business, but it has never been
hinted that in any matter he has ever consummated any trade to the hurt or dis-
advantage of the other party. He is everywhere recognized as the soul of busi-
ness integrity and honor and no citizen of Waterloo is held in higher esteem than
Emmons Johnson, who since 1870 has been numbered among the bankers of
the city.

HUGH G. VAN PELT.

Hugh G. Van Pelt is one of Iowa's best known men and his acquaintance and
reputation extend throughout the United States and Canada. He is the secretary
and general manager of the Dairy Cattle Congress, one of the most noted or-
ganizations of the kind on the American continent. It owes its existence to Mr.
Van Pelt, who planned and established the organization while he was dairy ex-
pert for the state of Iowa. Important and extensive as have been his efforts in
promoting the dairy interests of the country, he has also been active in other
business connections and is now the president of the Shoemaker- Van Pelt-Mayne
Company and vice president of the Fred L. Kimball Company. A modern philoso-
pher has said: "Not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the
world through us. is the measure of our success;" and judged by this standard,
Mr. Van Pelt has been a most successful man, for his life work has been of almost
inestimable value to others. He has a strong character and one that inspires con-
fidence in his fellowmen, and he is capable of mature judgment of his own
capacities and of the people and circumstances that make up his life contacts
and experiences.

A native son of Iowa, Mr. Van Pelt pursued his early education in the public
schools and afterward entered the State Agricultural College, from which he was
graduated with the class of 1903. He had charge of the American Jersey Cattle
Club exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis, which was the
winning herd in the butter production test at that great exposition. He after-
ward had charge of the A. O. Auten farm at Jerseyville, Illinois, for a year and
was then given charge of the Hartman herd at Columbus, Ohio. From there he
was called to the Iowa Agricultural College and was made professor of the dairy
husbandry department and manager of the state dairy farm, continuing in that
connection from 1906 until 1909. In the latter year, the Iowa state legislature
having made an appropriation to be used in the development of the dairy interests
of the state, yir. Van Pelt was given charge of this work and while thus engaged
he ran special dairy trains carrying dairy cattle and dairy products, together with
expert lecturers, to practically every town of any size in Iowa that was located
upon a railroad. He devoted three years to his duties in that position, since which
time he has been prominently identified with the same line of work, lecturing at
many dairy cattle shows and judging dairy stock in many of the largest cities of
the United States and Canada. In fact, he is recognized as the superior of all
others in this line on the American continent. He has made a close study of
dairy stock and of every feature of the business and his opinions are everv where

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 45

accepted as authority, so that today he is one of the foremost representatives of
the dairy interests in all the country. Aside from this he has other important
business connections and investments as the president of the Shoemaker-Van Pelt-
Mayne Company and vice president of the Fred L. Kimball Company of Water-
loo. The Fred L. Kimball Company publishes the National Dairy Publication,
Kimball's Dairy Farmer, The Creamery Journal, The Milk Trade Journal and
The Egg Reporter, papers which, as their names signify, are for the promotion
of special business lines and which are national in character.

In 1906, Mr. Van Pelt was united in marriage to Miss Stella Calhoon, of
Indianola, Iowa. They have a wide acquaintance and their circle of friends is
almost coextensive therewith. Mr. Van Pelt is a member of the Commercial
Club and Board of Trade of Waterloo, of the Chamber of Commerce, the Water-
loo Club and the Town Criers Club. In fact, he is one of the most progressive,
enterprising residents of the city and is active in every plan and movement toward
making a greater Waterloo and enhancing the opportunities of the state.

WILLIAM L. FOSTER.

Starting out in the business world on his own account at the age of fifteen
years, William L. Foster is today a member of the firm of Ellis & Foster, con-
ducting a successful and growing plumbing business in Waterloo. Industry, well
defined and intelligently directed, has brought him to his present trade con-
nections. He was born in Waverly, Iowa, on the 8th of December, 1872, a son
of Floyd W. and Rebecca (Doyle) Foster. His paternal grandfather, Peter
Foster, was of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock and in an early day in the development
of this state came to Iowa, being among the first of the pioneer settlers of
Waverly. He built the first mill above Waverly ever erected on the Cedar river
and was otherwise identified with the early development of that section. Floyd
W, Foster was a carpenter by trade and followed that occupation throughout his
entire life, which was terminated in death in 1893, when he was fifty-five years
of age. He was a member of Company G, Ninth Jowa Volunteer Infantry, was
elected first lieutenant, served as captain of his company on the death of his
captain and was himself wounded. His wife passed away November 15, 191 1,
at the age of fifty-eight years.

William L. Foster acquired a public-school education, but at the age of fifteen
years started out to make his own way in the world by learning the tinner's trade.
Subsequently he was employed in connection with the cigar business in Maquo-
keta, Iowa, for three years, but after the outbreak of the Spanish-American war
he enlisted for active service at the front and was made cjuartermaster sergeant
of the Forty-ninth Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry, which was on duty
in Cuba.

After the close of the war Mr. Foster was placed in charge of the corrals
of the Gulf division of the army, serving in that capacity for six months. He
then returned to Maquoketa, where for a year he conducted a restaurant. In
1900 he came to Waterloo and in company with his brother-in-law, R. A. Ellis,
established the plumbing firm of Ellis & Foster. In the intervening period to the

46 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

present time, covering fourteen years, they have built up one of the largest plumb-
ing establishments in Waterloo, having a very extensive and gratifying patronage.
They employ expert workmen and at all times meet the demands of their patrons,
while their honorable business dealing constitutes a substantial factor in their
growing success.

On the 1st of March, 1900, Mr. Foster was married to Miss Netta I. Mc-
Donald, of Maquoketa. He belongs to Helmet Lodge, No. 6, K. P., and Waterloo
Lodge, No. 290, B. P. O. E., and also to the Royal Arcanum. He is likewise a
member of the Waterloo Commercial Club and in matters of general concern he
manifests a public spirit, cooperating heartily in plans and measures for the good
of the community. There have been no spectacular phases in his life record.
On the contrary it is that of a man who has always followed along the even tenor
of his way, finding in business conditions the incentive for his best efforts, and as
the years have gone on he has gained a substantial measure of success.

WALTER R. FRENCH.

Walter R. French, with offices in the Commercial Bank building, is one of
the younger representatives of the bar of Black Hawk county. He located for
practice in Waterloo in 1912 and already has achieved a measure of success which
many an older practitioner might well envy. He was born in the city which is
still his home, a son of Wallace R. French, who came to Waterloo about thirty
years ago and for a number of years was actively and successfully engaged in
merchandising in this city, but is now living retired, enjoying in well earned rest
the fruits of his former toil. Wallace French has taken a prominent part in the
public affairs of city and county and his cooperation has been an element in public
progress. He served on the board of aldermen for a number of years and as such
did effective work in advancing the welfare of the city along civic lines.

His son, Walter R. French, is indebted to the public-school system of Water-
loo for his educational opportunities and after passing through the grades he con-
tinued his course in the East Waterloo high school, from which he was graduated
with the class of 1907. He then entered upon the liberal arts course at the North-
western University at Evanston, Illinois, and returned to Iowa for professional
training, being graduated from the law department of the State University with
the class of 191 2. The same year he was admitted to the bar and has since
practiced in all of the state and federal courts. His clientage is continually in-
creasing in volume and importance and has already assumed gratifying propor-
tions. He is a member of both the Black Hawk County and the Iowa State Bar
Associations.

Mr. French has also taken a somewhat prominent part in political affairs and
as the nominee of the republican party was elected for the office of justice of
the peace in East Waterloo township. He is a trustee of Black Hawk county for
minor dependents under the new Employers' Liability and Workmen's Compensa-
tion Act of the state and in all matters of citizenship he is deeply interested, feeling
it the duty as well as the privilege of every man to exercise his right of franchise
in support of the projects which he deems of greatest benefit to the common-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 47

wealth at large. He has frequently been a delegate to the county and state con-
ventions of the republican party. Mr. French has membership with two college
fraternities, the Sigma Chi and Theta Nu Epsilon. Locally he is connected with
the Elks and with the Knights of Pythias, and his religious faith is evidenced in
his attendance at Christ's Episcopal church. He belongs to the Commercial Club
and Board of Trade and he is a member of the Town Criers Clubs. Having spent
his entire life in this county he is widely known and the many sterling traits of
character he has displayed have established him in the regard of his fellow
townsmen.

JOHN BERG.

John Berg is the secretary and vice president of the B. W. Schuneman Com-
pany, druggists, of Waterloo. He began preparation for the calling to which he
now devotes his energies in his sixteenth year and one element of his success is
undoubtedly the fact that he has never dissipated his energies, but has always
continued in the line to which he directed his attention in early youth. He was
born in Savanna, Illinois, on the loth of July, 1888, a son of Peter and Ida (Dahl)
Berg, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former coming to the United
States when a young man of twenty-four years, while the latter crossed the
Atlantic when a maiden of sixteen summers. They were married in Clinton,
Iowa. After coming to the new world Peter Berg first settled in Sabula, Iowa,
in 1869 and there engaged in contracting and building, with which he was identi-
fied throughout his active life. At the present, however, he is living retired in
Waterloo, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.

John Berg supplemented a public-school education by study in the Iowa State
Teachers' College at Cedar Falls and in the Babcock School of Pharmacy at Des
Moines, from which he was graduated with the class of 191 2. As early as his
sixteenth year, however, he had taken up the study of pharmacy as a clerk in
the store of the Pfeififer Company in Cedar Falls, remaining in that employ up
to the time he entered the pharmaceutical school. Following his graduation he
returned to Black Hawk county and for six months was employed in the east
side store of the B. W. Schuneman Company in Waterloo. In December he
purchased an interest in the business and was made vice president and secretary
of the company, at which time he assumed the management of the west side store,
over which he has since presided. He is thoroughly acquainted with every phase
of the drug business and has made his establishment a popular one by reason
of the attractive appearance of the place, the reasonable prices and the unfailing
courtesy which he extends to his patrons.

Mr. Berg is a member of Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M. ; Taber-
nacle Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M. ; Waterloo Council, R. & S. M. ; Ascalon Com-
mandery. No. 25, K. T. ; and El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also
belongs to the Lutheran church and in his religious and Masonic connections
are found the rules which govern his conduct and which have won for him the
high regard and confidence of his fellowmen. He is also a member of the
Waterloo Commercial Club and the Town Criers Club, and he gives his political

48 ' HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

allegiance to the republican parly. His life has been one of intense activity, in-
telligently directed, and he has found in the faithful performance of each day's
duties inspiration and strength for the efforts of the succeeding day. He is alert,
energetic and determined and as the years have passed has won a substantial
measure of success, occupying a prominent place among the druggists of
Waterloo.

RUPERT L. PARKER.

Rupert L. Parker is the president of the Colby-Parker Transfer Line, in which
connection he is conducting the leading business of the kind in Waterloo. He
has been a resident of this city for seven years, arriving in 1907, and within that
period has won for himself a creditable name and place in business circles. A
native of New York, his birth occurred in Cattaraugus county on the 226. of Feb-
ruary, 1878, and at the age of ten years he accompanied his parents, Elliott and
Rosethalia Parker, to the middle west. They settled in Decorah, Iowa, and there
Rupert L. Parker was reared and acquired his education as a public-school student.
He continued to make his home in Decorah until he had reached the age of twenty-
nine years, when he came to Waterloo. Previously he had engaged in dealing in
standard bred horses, which he handled and trained successfully. On coming to
Waterloo he formed a partnership with Charles H. Colby and bought out the
Stewart Transfer Line, establishing the Colby-Parker Transfer Line. From the
beginning the enterprise has proven a growing and profitable one and they now
own and control the most extensive business of the kind in Waterloo, using forty
horses in teaming and contract work. They employ thirty men and their patron-
age is steadily increasing, for they are ever found to be prompt and reliable, living
up fully to their contract. Mr. Parker has also trained a number of horses since
coming to Waterloo and is very successful in that work.

In 1905 Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Ruth James, of Fort
Dodge, Iowa, by whom he has one daughter, Jane. The parents are members of
St. Mark's Episcopal church and Mr. Parker is serving as one of the vestrymen.
He is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Industry and
determination have been the basic elements of his business cai'eer and have
brought to him a substantial measure of success as the years have gone by.

MOSES RICKER.

Moses Ricker was born at Winterport, ]\Iaine, September 25, 1837, and in his
native state the period of his boyhood and youth was passed. Just before he had
attained his majority he left New England for the Pacific coast, making the trip
around Cape Horn to Marysville, California, where he entered the employ of
Governor Lowe. Ambitious, however, to advance his individual interests, he
went to the mining camps and for a time conducted business affairs at Virginia
City and later at White Pine, Nevada, remaining in the two states until i86^

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 49

when he returned to the Atlantic coast and with the proceeds of his business
successes in the west he embarked in the dry-goods trade in Boston in partner-
ship with a brother. He also became connected with a commission business and
after some years spent in Boston remained for a year in New York to further the
interests of his commission business. His attention, however, was from time to
time riveted on the west and south in recognition of the growing opportunities
of those sections of the country, and in 1870 he went to Vicksburg, Mississippi,
remaining three months, but not finding the business openings that he desired
there, he came to Waterloo, where he made his home to the time of his death.
He was first connected with the dry-goods business in this city, having brought a
large stock of goods from Boston for that purpose and organizing the firm of
Ricker, Russ & Company, which began business in a frame building. After a
brief period the store and stock were destroyed by fire, but with undaunted pur-
pose and unwavering resolution they started anew, this time occupying a brick
building on the site of the First National ,Bank building. At dififerent times
•removals were made in order to secure needed space and ultimately the firm of
Ricker, Russ & Company extended the scope of their trade to include millinery
as well as dry goods.

In 1873, Mr. Ricker also entered into active connection with the lumber trade,
purchasing the interest of the senior partner in the firm of AUee & Lindley, thus
forming the firm of Ricker & Lindley. The association between them was con-
tinued with mutual pleasure and profit until 1885, when Mr. Ricker purchased his
partner's interest and continued alone until 1888, when he admitted Charles P.
Bratnober to a partnership under the firm name of Ricker & Bratnober. He
believed in the introduction of new ideas into an old established business and in
selecting a young man to become a factor in the conduct of the lumber trade he
had the prescience to choose wisely. Prosperity attended the new firm and the
business of the house was extended in many directions. In 1893 it was> incor-
porated as the Ricker & Bratnober Lumber Company and W. M. Stewart, a
young man thoroughly familiar with the lumber trade and of large business
capacity, was admitted to a partnership. Later the retail business in Waterloo
was abandoned, but the firm continued to sell to the retail trade through twenty-
eight yards established in other towns. The lumber business of which Mr. Ricker
was long the head first began to branch out in 1889, when the original outside
yard was established.

In addition to organizing the Ricker & Bratnober Lumber Company, Mr.
Ricker was also instrumental in establishing the B. L. Willis Lumber Company,
each organization having the same stockholders. They established and conducted
not only the twenty-eight retail lumber yards in Iowa, but also engaged exten-
sively in a wholesale lumber business and in the operation of sawmills. These
firms began cutting lumber in the northern pineries in 1894 and greatly extended
their sawmill operations, buying new tracts of timber lands through the suc-
ceeding years, Mr. Ricker ever manifesting the deepest interest in that branch
of the business. He also became a factor in other important industrial, commer-
cial and financial enterprises of Waterloo as a stockholder, and there are few who
have contributed in so large a measure to the business development of the city.
Moreover, from the period of his early residence in California he was greatly
attached to that state and watched its progress and rapid strides in population

50 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

and prosperity. While engaged in business in Waterloo in partnership with
Hervey Lindley they formulated the plan of founding a town in California and
the now flourishing city of Whittier has resulted from their efforts, the initial
step in that direction being made in 1886 or 1887.

On the 14th of May, 1873, ^^- Ricker was united in marriage to Miss Jennie
Conger, a daughter of Major Patrick Henry Conger, of Waterloo, and unto them
were born three children : Two sons who died in infancy, and a daughter. Nina,
who is now the wife of Lore Alford of the lilack Hawk Abstract Company of
Waterloo. Only about two months before his death Mr. Ricker erected a fine
residence in Waterloo and watched with interest the progress of the work as the
building proceeded. For some years prior to his death it was Mr. Ricker's custom
to escape the rigorous climate of Iowa by extended visits in California, Louisiana
or Florida. He preferred the first named state, however, finding the greatest
enjoyment in its sunshine, its fruits and its flowers.

Mr. Ricker was a well known Mason, holding membership in the lodge, chapter
and commandery. and when he passed away on the i6th of December, 1900, his
funeral services were conducted by the Knights Templar. He was also a member
of the Elks' lodge and of the Workmen and there was no more popular or honored
man in those organizations. The most flourishing club ever organized in Water-
loo was the result of his efforts in the direction of establishing a business men's
association and furnishing quarters in which to meet. This is the Columbia Club,
which was organized in 1891 and of which he became the first president.

FRANCIS A. BRYANT. M. D.

Dr. Francis A. Bryant, deceased, was for an extended period identified with
the practice of medicine in Black Hawk county and the record which he left be-
hind him as a man and a citizen is one well worthy of emulation. He was bom
in Chesterfield. Massachusetts, January 6, 1826. a son of Martin and Nancy
(Skiff) Bryant, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. The son attended
school in North Adams, Massachusetts, and then, determining upon the practice
of medicine as a life work, became a pupil in a medical college at Worcester,
Massachusetts, and also studied in Syracuse, New York. He entered upon the
practice of his profession in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and afterward removed to
Wyoming, New York, where he remained for five years. In 1858 he came to
Cedar Falls, where he followed his profession until his health failed him. Twenty
years prior to his death he became an invalid, due to hard work and unfaltering
devotion to his practice.. Locating here in pioneer times when the county was but
sparsely settled, he would go on long drives through summer's heat and winter's
cold, never sparing himself when he felt that a fellow creature needed him. His
extreme exertion and devotion to his profession at length brought on nervous
dyspepsia and terminated his life.

On the 3d of January, 1847, Dr. Bryant was united in marriage to Miss Mary
M. Hamion, who was born in Cheshire, Massachusetts, a daughter of Julius
Caesar and Betsy (Barker) Harmon, who always remained residents of the east

DR. FEANCIS A. BRYANT

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 53

until called to their final home. Dr. and Mrs. Bryant had but one child, Vesta A.
The father died September 4, 1910, and his wife passed away February 12, 191 1
In politics Dr. Bryant was a stalwart republican, taking an active interest in
the work of the party, and at one time served as mayor of Cedar Falls. He made
such a creditable record in that position that he was three times elected to the
office and in the exercise of his official prerogatives he largely promoted the wel-
fare and upbuilding of the city. He also served as township trustee and as a
member of the school board in the early days, and he attended the Congregational
church. His life was ever upright and honorable and won for him the con-
fidence, high regard and good will of all with whom he came in contact.

HERMANN MILLER.

Hermann Miller is the secretary and manager of the Iowa Manufacturers
Fire Insurance Company of Waterloo, in which connection his efforts have been
a contributing element to the substantial success won by the company. A native
of Germany, he was born in 1861 and remained a resident of the fatherland
until he reached the age of nineteen years, when he crossed the Atlantic to
America. He had been educated in his native country and was engaged in mer-
cantile pursuits there before making the voyage to the new world, having served
a regular apprenticeship. On reaching the United States in 1880 he first took
up his abode at Reinbeck, in Grundy county, where he was employed as a clerk
in a store.

In 1881, Mr. Miller arrived in Waterloo and was associated with the firm
of J. G. Hoff & Sons as a clerk for four years. He was afterward in charge of
their store in Reinbeck, a fact which indicates that he enjoyed the unqualified
confidence and regard of the firm. He then engaged in the insurance business
and soon afterward left the mercantile field and devoted his time to the upbuild-
ing and development of his insurance interests. He became one of the organizers
of the Iowa Manufacturers Fire Insurance Company, which was incorporated
with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, and their assets are now
nearly two hundred thousand dollars. The officers of the company are : W. W.
Marsh, president; Hermann Miller, secretary and manager; and A. H. Holt,
treasurer. The business has been carefully planned and systematized and has
been developed along the most modern lines. Each forward step in the insurance
field has brought to Mr. Miller a wider outlook and his efforts have been directed
by the highest business ethics, and his success is therefore well merited.

In 1887, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Josie Akers, of Iowa, and
they have become the parents of four sons: H. C, who is a member of the
Miller-McCartney Insurance Agency at Waterloo; Max F., a student of archi-
tectural engineering at the Illinois State University at Champaign; Milo H., who
is studying agricultural engineering at Iowa State College at Ames; and Karl,
a student in the Waterloo schools. The family are members of the Congregational
church and in its teachings find the guiding motive of their actions.

Mr. Miller gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and was a
candidate for representative on that ticket. He is a member of the board of

54 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

directors of the Chamber of Commerce, also has membership in the Waterloo
Club, is an Elk, a Knight of Pythias and a Mason. He has never had occasion
to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the
business opportunities which he sought and which are always open to an am-
bitious, energetic young man. Gradually he has advanced through the wise use
of his time and advantages and has been active in the upbuilding of what is today
one of the important business enterprises of his adopted city.

JOHN BARO.

John Baro is now living retired in Waterloo, occupying a pleasant and attract-
ive home at No. 408 Mulberry street. He was born in Germany in 1841 and came
to the United States in 1856, settling with his parents on a farm in Illinois. He
was a youth of fifteen when he crossed the Atlantic and, accordingly, he at once
became an active factor in the farm work, assisting in the development and im-
provement of the home place until 1869, when he came to Waterloo. Here he
embarked in the brewing business, in which he continued for four or five years,
and on the expiration of that period he conducted a bakery and restaurant. At
two or three different periods he was engaged in the restaurant btisiness and in
time became one of the prominent and substantial business men of the city. As
the years went on his strenuous efiforts, close application and indefatigable energy
brought to him a substantial measure of success and, with a handsome competence,
he retired to private life to enjoy in well earned rest the fruits of his former
toil, his property being more than sufficient to supply him with all of the comforts
of life.

Mr. Baro was married in 1882 to Miss Anne Friedl, of Waterloo, who has
indeed been a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey. They are mem-
bers of St. Mary's Catholic church and contribute generously to its support. Mr.
Baro was a member of the volunteer fire department of Waterloo for a number
of years and in various other ways has been connected with the advancement of
the city, its upbuilding and progress during the forty-five years he has here resided.

GEORGE E. VIRDEN.

Through constantly developing powers George E. Virden has won for him-
self a creditable place in the manufacturing circles of Waterloo, being now presi-
dent and manager of the Hawkeye Glove & Mitten Company, which will shortly
be reorganized as the United Glove & Mitten Company with J. I'.. Holz, presi-
dent; Andrew Westberg, vice president; and George E. Virden, secretary and
treasurer. He is a man of determined purpose and as the years have gone by
has demonstrated his worth in the business world and won success.

Mr. Virden was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, December 24, 1884, and there
spent the days of his boyhood and youth, his education being acquired in the
public schools of that city. On leaving school he embarked in the grocery busi-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 55

ness with his father, but in April, 1909, turned from mercantile to manufacturing
interests and established the Mount Pleasant Glove Manufacturing Company.
There he continued in business until May, 1913, when he removed to Waterloo
and established the Hawkeye Glove & Mitten Company, which was incorporated
with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. They have a well equipped plant,
including the latest improved machinery for work of this character, and in the
manufacture of leather and cotton gloves they turn out a large output which is
widely shipped and which returns to them a substantial annual income. The
officers of the company are: George E. Virden, president and manager; J. R.
Hughes, of Mount Pleasant, vice president ; and W. F. Parrott, secretary and
treasurer. Mr. A'^irden is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment and
in the conduct of the business instituted a policy which measures up to ttie highest
standards of commercial honor.

Mr. Virden is a member of the Masonic fraternity and belongs to the Mystic
Shrine. He also has membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, is a member of the Commercial Club and Board
of Trade, and attends the Presbyterian church. The nature of his interests and
•activities is thus indicated and it is the logical conclusion that he is guided in all
that he does by a spirit of enterprise and progress.

JAMES J. RAINBOW.

James J. Rainbow, filling the position of county auditor of Black Hawk county
for the seventh term, having been first elected in 1902, was born in Lima, New
York, on the 24th of April, 1855, his parents being James and Eliza (Goody)
Rainbow, both of whom were natives of England. They came to Iowa in 1856,
settling at Iowa City, where they remained for twelve years and then took up
their abode upon a farm in Iowa county, where they lived for eight years. On
the expiration of that period they removed to a farm in Pottawattamie county,
where their remaining days were passed, the father's death occurring in 1902,
while his wife died in 1908. James Rainbow was just twenty-one years of age
when he came to the United States about 185 1 and for more than a half century
he continued a resident of this country, becoming a most patriotic, loyal American
citizen.

James J. Rainbow was only about a year old when brought to this state. He
attended the schools of Iowa City to the age of twelve years and then had no
further opportunity to advance his education until he reached the age of twenty-
three years, when he became a student in the college at Malvern, Iowa, in which
he spent several terms. Still later he attended the normal school in Iowa City
and in 1881 he was graduated from the commercial college at Iowa City. In
Pottawattamie county he engaged in teaching school and he also followed that
profession to some extent after he came to Black Hawk county in 1889. He took
up the occupation of farming in this county and through the winter months con-
tinued his work as a teacher. In 1902 he was elected auditor of Black Hawk
county and so excellent has been the record that he has made in this office that
he has been reelected again and again until he is now serving for the seventh term

56 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

and has never had opposition in his own party save on one occasion. He is
prompt, faithful and reliable in the discharge of his official duties and is justly
accounted one of the foremost representatives of the republican party in his section
of the state.

In March, 1889, in Pottawattamie county, Iowa, Mr. Rainbow was united in
marriage to Miss Ida O. Knapp, by whom he has a daughter, Frances Willard.
Fraternally Mr. Rainbow is connected with the Royal Arch Masons, the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the
Modern Woodmen. He also has membership in the Commercial Club and his
religious faith is evidenced by his membership in the Presbyterian church. His
interests and activities have been along progressive lines and he has cooperated
in many movements which have had direct bearing upon the welfare, progress
and prosperity of the county in which he lives. He is widely known here as a
representative citizen and has many warm friends.

VIRGIL BLACKLEDGE.

Virgil Blackledge is general agent for the northeastern part of the state of
Iowa for the Union Central Life Insurance Company of Cincinnati and in this
connection his well formulated plans, carefully executed, are bringing to him
success and increasing the business of the corporation which he represents. He,
was born in Newton, Jasper county, Iowa, on the i6th of July, 1875, and is a son
of Oliver J. and Ernestine (Turck) Blackledge. The father was born in Indiana
July 15, 1852, and was brought to Iowa by his parents in 1861. The mother was
a native of Jasper county and her natal day was May 12, 1856. They were
reared in Jasper county and were there married, and the mother passed away
October 12, 1875. Oliver J. Blackledge early became familiar with the best
methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and after he had attained his
majority continued to engage in farming. Year by year he tilled his fields in
Jasper county until 1899, when he sold his farm of two hundred acres and re-
moved to Oregon, settling in Corvallis, where he judiciously reinvested his capi-
tal and has won a substantial measure of prosperity. Since taking up his abode
there he has been engaged in the furniture and undertaking business and is one
of the city's well known, enterprising and successful business men. He is the
father of four children, those besides our subject being; Zeller O., who died at
the age of twenty-one; Thaddeus L., in business with his father in Oregon, and
Janet A., at home.

Virgil Blackledge was reared under the parental roof with the usual ex-
periences and interests that constitute the life of the farm boy. He attended the
public schools, dividing his time between the mastery of his studies, the pleasures
of the playground and the work of the fields. As he neared manhood he felt
no desire to change his occupation and continued to engage actively in farming
until 1905, at which time his health became impaired, unfitting him for further
heavy work on the farm. He then prepared himself for government service and
went to Des Moines in order to take a civil service examination. While await-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 57

ing results he began selling life insurance and on his second day's work he
secured his first policy, although the transaction was not closed until half past
one in the morning. This spirit of indomitable perseverance has been the chief
factor in making him the successful life insurance man that he is today and has
been the chief element in winning him promotion until he has reached the im-
portant and responsible position of general agent for the Union Central Life
Insurance Company in northeastern Iowa. He has advanced steadily step by
step, working his way upward from the bottom, and on the 4th of October, 1910,
he was transferred from Newton to Waterloo to take his present position, in
which connection he has given excellent satisfaction. He has carefully sys-
tematized the work of his district, keeps in touch with the interests of the agents
under him and is constantly broadening his plans for the benefit and develop-
ment of the business. He ranks with the leading insurance men of his part of
the state.

On the i8th of January, 1898, Mr. Blackledge was united in marriage to
Miss Bernice Tool, of Reasnor, Iowa, and unto them was bom a daughter, Lela.
On the 4th of September, 1904, Mr. Blackledge was again married, his second
union being with Miss Myrtle Hayes, also of Reasnor. This union has been
blessed with six children, five daughters and one son, Ernestine, Imogene, June,
Jesse v., Mary and Leah Maud.

Mr. Blackledge holds membership in Newton Lodge, No. 59, A. F. & A. M.,
and his political allegiance is given to the republican party, which he has sup-
ported continuously since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, be-
lieving firmly that the principles of that party are most conducive to good
government. Both Mr. and Mrs. Blackledge are members of the First Methodist
Episcopal church and their many sterling traits of character have gained for
them the high regard of Waterloo's best citizens although they have been resi-
dents of Black Hawk county for but a brief period.

S. J. HALL.

S. J. Hall is identified with several of the leading business concerns of Water-
loo and in all has demonstrated his possession of qualities which are indis-
pensable in the attainment of success. He is at once a forceful and resourceful
business man and his advancement is attributable entirely to his own efforts. He
is the president and manager of the Waterloo Saddlery Company, secretary of
the Waterloo Canning Company and treasurer of the Cement Machinery Com-
pany. His residence in this city covers a period of thirty years and his activities
have been a factor in the upbuilding of its citizenship along the lines of material
advancement.

Mr. Hall was born in the north of Ireland in 1862 and was twenty-one years
of age when he crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He made his way at once
to this city, where he embarked in the dry-goods business, in which he engaged
for about eleven years. Thinking to broaden the scope of his activities and
heighten his success through the conduct of other interests, he, with others,
organized in 1895, the Waterloo Saddlery Company, which was incorporated with

58 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

a capital stock of twenty-two thousand dollars. This has been increased from
time to time until the present capitalization is one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars. The officers at this time are: S. J. Hall, president; L. G. Adams, vice
president; H. M. Reed, secretary; and L. E. Larsen, treasurer. They manu-
facture harness, horse collars and pads and their business has grown to extensive
and gratifying proportions. They built their present quarters on Sycamore street,
where they have a building seventy by one hundred and twenty feet and four
stories in height with basement. They occupy the entire building and employ
about sixty-five people in the plant. Their trade now extends over northern and
western Iowa, eastern South Dakota, Nebraska and southern Minnesota, and
their patronage is growing year by year. Mr. Hall has also become connected
with various other business interests.

In 1887 occurred the marriage of ^Ir. Hall and Miss Sarah Derrick, a native
of Canada, and they have become the parents of three children : Richard L., who
is in the office of the Waterloo Saddlery- Company; Kathleen A. ; and Dorothy J.
Mr. Hall is a member of the Universalist church. He also belongs to the Com-
mercial Club and Board of Trade and is one of the directors of that organization.
He holds membership in Helmet Lodge, K. P., and he is a very prominent Mason.
He has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is the present
grand commander of the Knights Templar of Iowa. In this connection he is
widely known throughout the state and honored wherever he is known.

His business career is a notable one and worthy of emulation. Starting out
in life without any vaulting ambition to accomplish something especially great or
famous, he has followed the lead of his opportunities, doing as best he could any-
thing that came to hand and seizing legitimate advantages as they arose. He has
never hesitated to take a forward step when the way was open. Though content
with what he attained as he went along he has always been ready to make an
advance. Fortunate in possessing the ability and character that inspire con-
fidence in others, the simple weight of his character and ability has carried him
into important relations with large interests.

CARL C. BICKLEY. M. D.

Dr. Carl C. Bickley is one of the younger representatives of the medical pro-
fession in Waterloo, but in practice proves himself the peer of many a man of
older years and has gained considerable prominence as an obstetrician. He was
born in 1882 in the city where he still resides and after completing the work of
the grades continued his education in the Waterloo high school until graduated
with the class of 1900, when eighteen years of age. The succeeding two years
were spent as a student in the Iowa State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls and
for four years he attended Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, from which
he was graduated with the class of 1906, having completed the regular course and
thereby becoming well qualified for the practice of medicine. Still he was not
satisfied and for nine months was a student in the University of Edinburgh, Scot-
land, and for some months attended clinics in Vienna, Austria, where he did
post-graduate work.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 59

Thus having improved every possible opportunity to increase his knowledge
and promote his efficiency, Dr. Bickley returned to his native country and in
1907 opened an office in Waterloo, where he has since engaged in active practice.
He is conducting a general practice, but makes a specialty of obstetrics and is
well versed in that branch of the profession, reading broadly and thinking deeply
along those lines, and at all times keeping in touch with the advanced work of the
medical fraternity. He is attending physician and surgeon to the Presbyterian
and the St. Francis hospitals of Waterloo and he is a member of the Waterloo
Medical Society, the Black Hawk County Medical Society and the Iowa State
Medical Society.

In 1906, Dr. Bickley was united in marriage to Miss Daisy Franklin, a native
of Elgin, Illinois, and they have become the parents of two children, Donald and
Iktty. The parents are well known in Waterloo and the record of Dr. Bickley
stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor
save in his own country and among his own kin, for in the city where practically
his entire life has been passed the Doctor has worked his way steadily upward
and has attained a position of distinction, having passed beyond the ranks of the
many until he now stands among the successful few.

W. H. LANGLAS.

W. H. Langlas, whose business career has ever been characterized by the
rules which govern indefatigable industry and strict, unswerving integrity, is now
the secretary and treasurer of the Altstadt & Langlas Baking Company, which,
selling to a wholesale and retail trade, is conducting the largest enterprise of the
kind in Waterloo. Mr. Langlas is a native son of the city in which he makes his
home, his birth having here occurred in 1879. His father, Ludwig Langlas, was
born in Germany in 1844 and after spending the period of his boyhood and youth
in the fatherland bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for America
when a young man. He arrived in Waterloo about 1869 and here followed the
wagonmaker's trade which he had previously learned in Germany. He was
married in Waterloo to Miss Catherine Reimers, also a native of Germany, and
for many years they continued residents of Black Hawk county, Mr. Langlas
passing away in 1900 after thirty-one years spent in Waterloo. His widow sur-
vived him for about eight years, dying in 1908.

W. H. Langlas is one of the four living children of his father's family, the
others being C. F., now a resident of Newark, New Jersey ; Elizabeth, the wife
of C. F. Altstadt; and J. G., who is in Buford, Colorado. The subject of this
review is the third in order of birth. He was reared and educated in Waterloo
and after leaving school entered the dry-goods house of Weishaar & Fassig, with
whom he remained for five years, his fidelity and capability being manifest in his
long connection with that business. It was his desire, however, to engage in busi-
ness on his own account that his efiforts might more directly benefit himself, and
at the end of that time he joined C. F. Altstadt in organizing the present Altstadt
& Langlas Baking Company. From the beginning the business has grown steadily
and its trade connections now cover a wide territory, for the company sells to

60 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY .

eighty different towns and cities. It has a large plant, occupying a building one
hundred and thirty feet square, which is splendidly equipped with all of the
latest machinery for mixing, cutting and doing other work in connection with
the bakery trade. The capacity of the mammoth ovens is twenty-five thousand
loaves of bread, two thousand pies and fifteen thousand dozen of small goods
daily. The excellence of the product has been the secret of the success of the
company. Its goods have constituted a standard for other establishments of this
character and the name of Altstadt & Langlas is a guarantee of quality.

In January, 1904, Mr. Langlas was united in marriage to Miss Thursnelda
Zellhoefer, and they have one son, Reimers Ludwig. Mr. Langlas is a member
of Helmet Lodge, K. P., of the Town Criers Club and the Commercial Club and
Board of Trade. He also has membership in the Emanuel Evangelical church.
He is a self-made man, who, as the architect of his own fortune, has builded
wisely and well. He possesses natural ability and his success in business since he
started in his present line has been uniform and rapid. As has been truly remarked,
after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him early opportunities
for obtaining the requirements which are sought in the schools and in books, he
must essentially formulate, determine and give shape to his own character, and
this is what Mr. Langlas has done. He has persevered in the pursuit of a per-
sistent purpose and has gained a most satisfactory reward.

P. H. PAULSEN.

No history of the bar of Black Hawk county would be complete without ex-
tended reference to P. H. Paulsen, who came to Waterloo in 191 1 and found in
this growing and enterprising western city a splendid field for professional activity.
He was born in Germany in 1872 and there spent the first sixteen years of his
life. On crossing the Atlantic to America he located in Iowa, settling in the
vicinity of Cedar Falls, where he engaged in farming. About three years after
arriving here, when but eighteen years of age, he managed an eleven hundred
acre farm in Grundy county, where he remained for several years. He was very
successful as a farmer, but while he found that work congenial, he had a desire
for a more advanced education, so he entered Cornell College, from which he
was graduated as a member of the class of 1900, winning the Ph. B. degree. He
then took up the profession of teaching and was superintendent of schools at
Oxford Junction for three years. During that period and for some time prior
thereto he devoted his vacations and the hours which are usually termed leisure
to the study of law and successfully passed the required examination which won
him admission to the Iowa bar in 1903. He then located at Estherville, where
he practiced until 191 1, when he came to Waterloo, where he has since followed
his profession.

When he left Estherville the leading paper of the town spoke of him as
follows : "Attorney P. H. Paulsen and his excellent family expect to leave in a
few days for their new home in Waterloo. They have hosts of friends here who
wish them well in their new home. Attorney Paulsen has been in the practice of
law here for eight years and in that time has built up a wonderful practice. His

p. H. PAULSEN

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 63

practice has been principally in Emmet, Dickinson, Clay, Kossuth, Hamilton and
Hardin counties. His success in the trial of his cases has been exceptional. We
doubt if there is an attorney in northwestern Iowa who has had a more phenomenal
success. In a material way his success stands almost alone. He still holds con-
siderable land in the county, and leaves with friends galore. There is general
regret among the people here to see him go, as he has been especially active in
everything for the good of Estherville. No one could leave Estherville whose
departure would be attended with more general regret. He will be greatly missed
in the Methodist Episcopal church and the Knights of Pythias lodge, as in both
of these organizations he was very active. Mr. Paulsen has invested heavily in
Waterloo, and it goes without question that he will become prominently identified
with the future growth and business of Waterloo and will take a leading place in
the practice of law at that place. In moving from this place Estherville loses a
good substantial citizen, and Waterloo gains a resident of whom she will be
proud."

The prediction concerning Waterloo has been fully realized, for the city recog-
nizes his value along many lines. He is indeed an able member of the bar and
since the beginning of his residence here he has been unusually prosperous in
every respect. He possesses in an eminent degree the qualities which work for
advancement in the legal profession and he is faithful to ever}^ interest com-
mitted to his charge. Aside from his law practice he is largely interested in real
estate and he is a stockholder in several business corporations and companies of
Waterloo, where his sound judgment and cooperation are considered of great
worth.

In 1902, Mr. Paulsen was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Haven, of
Charles City. Iowa, and they have become parents of three children : Mary
Esther. Ruth and Haven. Mr. Paulsen holds membership with the Knights of
Pythias, has passed through all of the chairs in the lodge and has been repre-
sentative to the grand lodge. He and his wife are members of the Grace Metho-
dist Episcopal church and he is serving on its board of trustees, taking a most
active and helpful part in its work and doing all in his power to extend its in-
fluence. He lives in a beautiful home which he erected on Prospect Hill and is
most happy in the companionship of an interesting family. Whatsoever his
hand finds to do, whether in his profession, in church connections or in any other
sphere, he does with his might and with a deep sense of conscientious obligation.

JAMES E. SEDGWICK.

Honored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable
position in financial and business circles than does James E. Sedgwick, now presi-
dent of the Leavitt & Johnson National Bank. His course has ever been one
which would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny and at all times he has been
actuated by a spirit of progress and advancement that has wrought excellent
results for the institution with which he is connected and for the community at
large. He was born at Moline, Illinois, June 4, 1854, a son of Theodore H. and

Laura S. (Parsons) Sedgwick, both of whom were natives of the state of New
Vol. 11—4

64 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

York and in 1840 removed westward to Illinois. At the time of the Civil war
the father became a private of the Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serv-
ing for one year. He was engaged in the abstract business at Clinton, Iowa, at
the time of his death, which occurred in 1902.

James E. Sedgwick was a student in Grand Prairie Seminary at Oneida, Illi-
nois, when his^ text-books were put aside at the age of sixteen years. Later, how-
ever, he determined to prepare for the bar and studied law in Paxton, Illinois,
being admitted to practice in 1881. The same year he came to Waterloo and at
once entered upon the abstract business, in which he has since been successfully
engaged, the firm being now incorporated under the name of the Sedgwick-Lichty
Abstract Company. From the beginning of his residence in Waterloo he has been
recognized as an enterprising business man, diligent and determined, making wise
use of his time, talents and opportunities. In 1906 he was elected to the presi-
dency of the Leavitt & Johnson National Bank and he is also president of the
Farmers Loan & Trust Company. The high position which he occupies is not
merely the result of his success but of his straightforward business methods and
the honorable policy which he has ever pursued in all of his business dealings.

On the loth of November, 1886, at Waterloo, Iowa, Mr. Sedgwick was united
in marriage to Miss Carrie A. Cobb, by whom he has the following children :
Helen A., Catharine J., Mary L., Theodore E. and Harriett E. Mr. Sedgwick
gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has been active in its
ranks. For fifteen years he served as alderman of Waterloo, exercising his official
prerogatives in support of many progressive public measures which have had to
do with the upbuilding and welfare of the city. He studies the needs and condi-
tions of this growing metropoHs of Iowa and has done everything in his power to
make the city what it is today — one of the most beautiful and progressive cities of
the middle west. In Masonry he has attained the Knight Templar degree and
has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
He likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks and he and his family attend the Congregational church. He be-
longs to that class of men to whom success has come as the legitimate and direct
result of energy intelligently directed. He has made each act count for the utmost
and each step in his career has been a forward one, bringing him a broader out-
look and wider opportunities.

PERRY E. CANFIELD.

Perry E. Canfield is the secretary and treasurer of the Canfield Lumber Com-
pany, which was established in Waterloo in 1904 and has since been one of the
growing business enterprises of the city. As an officer Perry E. Canfield has
contributed largely to its success and his business record is such a one that
Black Hawk county is proud to number him among her native sons. He was
born on a farm in Lester township in 1871, a son of Samuel Canfield, now
deceased, who came from his old home in the vicinity of Syracuse, New York,
to Iowa about 1855 and cast in his lot with the early settlers of Black Hawk
county. He established his home upon a farm in Lester township and there

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 65

continued to reside for a considerable period, but afterward turned his attention
to general merchandising in New Hartford, Butler county. His last days were
spent in the home of his son Perry E. Canfield in Waterloo. His wife bore
the maiden name of Harriett Wood and was a daughter of Enos Wood, one of
the pioneer residents of this county.

Perry E. Canfield was largely reared and educated in Black Hawk county
and remained upon the home farm until twenty-eight years of age, gaining broad
practical experience in the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the "
crops. He continued in agricultural life for several years after attaining his
majority and then, thinking to find commercial pursuits more congenial, he went
to Benson, where he opened a lumberyard, which he conducted for a year. On
the expiration of that time He sold out, but again started in the lumber business at
Dunkerton in 1902. After withdrawing from the lumber trade at Benson he
again had charge of the farm, devoting three years to agricultural pursuits, giving
much of his time to stock-raising and fattening stock for the market. He made
large shipments and carefully and successfully directed his interests. In 1904 he
came to Waterloo and organized the Canfield Lumber Company, which was
incorporated with a capital stock of thirty thousand dollars with Lee Canfield, of
Cedar Rapids, as president ; C. J. Schneck, of Waterloo, as vice president, and
Perry E. Canfield as secretary and treasurer. The lumber business at Dunker-
ton, however, was continued until the spring of 1914. The company also operated
a yard at Winslow for about four years and later a kimberyard at Janesville,
which was sold in August, 1914. At Waterloo business is conducted along
both wholesale and retail lines. Their plant is the largest of the kind in the city,
covering about ten acres of land on Falls avenue. Their lumber trade has now
reached extensive proportions and they enjoy a gratifying patronage both whole-
sale and retail. The members of the firm are thoroughly acquainted with the
lumber trade in every particular, know how to purchase to good advantage and,
selling at reasonable prices, have built up a business of large and gratifying
proportions.

The brothers who are partners in the .firm also operate the old homestead that
their grandfather, Enos Wood, took up from the government about 1855. In
addition to their lumber interests at Waterloo they also have a yard at Cedar
Rapids, their business there being incorporated and capitalized for thirty thousand
dollars under the style of the Lee Canfield Lumber Company, of which P. E.
Canfield is the president with Lee Canfield as secretary, treasurer and local
manager. They also own a lumberyard at Kenwood Park, condticted under the
name of the Kenwood Lumber Company, which was incorporated for twenty
thousand dollars. They are proprietors of another lumberyard at Iowa Falls,
conducted under the style of Canfield & Company, with John A. Stewart as the
local manager. Their lumber trade is thus extensive, covering a considerable
area, and their enterprise is among the foremost of this character in western
Iowa. Still further extending the scope of their activities, they have recently
established an oil plant at Kenwood Park, where they have five large storage
tanks, and William Armstrong is in charge of their business at that point. They
were also instrumental in securing the establishment of the Kenwood Savings
Bank and own a large share of its stock, while Lee Canfield is serving on the
board of directors.

66 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Both brothers are married. Lee Canfield wedded Miss Annie Paulger, who
died leaving a daughter, Dorothy, and following her demise he wedded Miss
Alice Ripka, by whom he has a daughter, Marvel.

In 1907 Perry E. Canfield was united in marriage to Miss Annie Stewart. He
belongs to Helmet Lodge. K. P., of Waterloo, is a member of the Chamber of
Commerce, the Waterloo Club and the Town Criers Club. Lee Canfield is a
Mason and is a member of the Commercial Club of Cedar Rapids. The brothers
are indeed prominent and active factors in the business development of western
Iowa. Their efiforts have been of far-reaching importance to the community as
well as a source of individual profit. As the years have gone on they have won
a most creditable place in commercial circles and may be numbered with the real
upbuilders of the state, for the welfare of a community does not depend so much
upon the machinery of government as upon the men who are controlling its busi-
ness development. Waterloo has reason to be congratulated upon having in its
midst such an enterprising, progressive and well balanced business man and citizen
as Perry E. Canfield.

DeWITT CLINTON HUNTOON. M. D.

In the years of his connection with the medical profession of Waterloo,
Dr. DeWitt Clinton Huntoon has built up an extensive and important practice,
his ability and conscientious service being widely recognized by those in need
of medical attention. Michigan claims him as a native son, his birth having
occurred in Waterford on the 29th of October, 1873. his parents being Phineas
and Susan (Bentley) Huntoon, the former a native of New York and the latter
of Rhode Island. They lived for many years in the middle west, the father pass-
ing away in 1903. having for five years survived his wife, who died in 1898.
Dr. LIuntoon has one brother. Milton B., who is state telephone engineer of
Michigan, and a sister, Alida E., the wife of the Hon. Samuel W. Smith, con-
gressman from the sixth district of Michigan.

Dr. Huntoon attended the Waterford and Pontiac (Mich.) public schools
and afterward entered the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, from which
he was graduated with the class of 1897 with the Bachelor of Science degree.
Determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he then entered the
Rush Medical College of Chicago, in which he completed his course by graduation
in 1903. He at once located for practice in that city but in 1905 removed to Water-
loo, where he has since remained and in the intervening period of about ten years
has built up a large and gratifying practice. He kee])s thoroughly informed
concerning the latest investigation and researches of the profession and is in
close touch with modern methods of treating disease. Moreover, he is both
zealous and conscientious in the discharge of his professional duties and his
worth in his chosen field is widely recognized.

On the 4th of May, 1908. at ^lankato, Minnesota. Dr. Huntoon was joined
in wedlock to Miss Marlys Kessey. by whom he has a son, Robert DeWitt.
Dr. Huntoon has held but one public office, that of police commissioner, in which
he served for six years. His political indorsement is always given to the repub-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 67

lican party. He has membership with the Elks, with the Commercial Club and
with the Chamber of Commerce, and he and his family attend the Methodist
Episcopal church. He also belongs to the Waterloo Medical Society, the Black
Hawk County Medical Society and the Iowa State Medical Society. He is
actuated in his professional career by a laudable ambition that has prompted wide
reading and study and his success is well deserved.

WIRT P. HOXIE.

Wirt P. Hoxie, county attorney of Black Hawk county and an active and
prominent member of the bar of Waterloo, was born in Barclay township on the
27th of September, 1871, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer families
of this part of the state. His father, Hiram B, Hoxie, was a native of New York
and, removing to the west in 1868, cast in his lot with the earliest settlers of
Black Hawk county. For seventeen years he lived upon a farm in Barclay town-
ship, during which period he brought his fields to a high state of cultivation. In
1888 he was elected county sheriff and made such an excellent record in office that
he was reelected and again elected until he had filled the position for four terms
of two years each and retired on the expiration of his eighth year with the confi-
dence and regard of all law-abiding citizens. Following that period he became
connected with the Waterloo Saddlery Company and was thus active in business
until about 1900, when he became one of the organizers of the Waterloo Fruit &
Commission Company, wholesale dealers in fruit. Of this company he is the
treasurer and he has contributed much to its growing success. His long residence
in the county ranks him among the pioneer settlers, while his business ability and
enterprise and his public service have won him place among the leading citizens.

Wirt P. Hoxie attended the public schools until graduated from the Waterloo
high school with the class of 1890. He afterward devoted a year to a collegiate
course in the University of Iowa and then entered upon the study of law, com-
pleting his course in the law department of that institution with the class of 1897.
He then located in Waterloo for the practice of his profession and for a number
of years was associated with W. H. Brunn under the style of Hoxie & Brunn.
In 1908 he was elected county attorney, was reelected in 1910 and in 1912 was
again chosen to that position, so that he is now serving for the sixth year, having
made a splendid record in office. He is also accorded a large clientage as a private
practitioner of law and it is well known that he prepares his cases with great care
and precision and is ever ready to meet not only the expected but also the unex-
pected, which happens quite as frequently in the courts as out of them. While his
devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial, he never forgets that he owes a
still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law.

In 1907 Mr. Hoxie was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Ling, who was a
teacher in the schools of Waterloo. Theirs is a hospitable home whose good cheer
is enjoyed by many. They hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church,
and Mr. Hoxie belongs also to the Masonic, Elks and Knights of Pythias lodges,
to the teachings and fraternal spirit of which he is ever loyal. He is also a mem-
ber of the Commercial Club and of the Board of Trade and takes an active and

68 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

helpful part in furthering the material development of the county in which his
entire life has been passed. He is indeed one of its well known residents and one
of its most highly esteemed citizens.

GEORGE B. MILLER.

George B. Miller is the president of the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company
and as such is closely connected with one of the important productive industries
of the city. He was born in Waterloo in 1872, a son of George W. Miller, a
native of Pennsylvania, who came to Black Hawk county when there were only
three or four houses in the county seat. He walked the entire distance from
Dubuque to this county and after reaching his destination followed the profession
of civil engineering, laying out and surveying nearly all of Waterloo and the
adjacent territory. He became closely associated with the pioneer development
of this section of the state and was a most prominent, valued and influential
citizen. After following civil engineering for a time he turned his attention to
manufacturing interests and later engaged extensively in real-estate dealing,
owning a large amount of property in Waterloo and its vicinity. His judgment
was sound and his investments therefore judiciously made, so that he derived a
substantial income from his activity in the real-estate field. His death occurred
about the year 1897 and in his passing Black Hawk county lost a representative
citizen.

George B. Miller was educated in the Waterloo high school and in the State
University of Iowa, completing the course in the law department of that insti-
tution with the class of 1894. He then practiced law for five years, after which
he turned his attention to the manufacture of gasoline engines, in which he was
associated with his brother and others, his brother managing the business. In
1899 George B. Miller purchased his brother's and the others' interests in the
factory and he has been in active management as president of the company for
the past ten years. This is one of the most extensive and most important indus-
tries of the city. The main building is one thousand by one hundred and twenty
feet, there are two other buildings fifty by one hundred and twenty feet each,
and the foundry is one hundred and sixty by six hundred feet. The concern
employs on an average seven hundred workmen and the output is extensive. The
company manufactures gas engines, traction engines, spreaders, cream separators
and a number of smaller articles. The plant is splendidly equipped with all the
latest improved machinery and the business is most carefully systematized, so
that maximum results are achieved at a minimum expenditure of time, labor and
material — which is the source of all business success. Mr. Miller as president of
the company is bending his efforts to administrative direction and executive con-
trol and his capability in correctly solving intricate business problems is manifest
in his efficient management which is bringing to the company a most gratifying
and substantial measure of prosperity. He is also interested in other business
enterprises of importance in Waterloo and is the secretary of the Leavitt-Johnson-
Miller Building Company.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 69

In 1897 was celebrated the marriage of George B. Miller and Miss Myrtle L.
Caldweld, a daughter of J. D. Caldweld. They now have one son, De Forrest,
who is a high-school student in Waterloo. The parents are members of the
First Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Miller is serving as president of the
board of trustees. He is a generous contributor to the support of the church
and an active factor in various departments of its work. He also belongs to the
Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree, and in
his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. He likewise has mem-
bership with the Knights of Pythias and the Elks, and the nature of his interests
is further indicated in the fact that he has membership in the Chamber of Com-
merce, the Commercial Club and the Waterloo Club. His activity in business
has not only contributed to his individual success but has also been a factor in
the development of the city and he is now accounted one of the foremost resi-
dents of Waterloo, controlling one of its most extensive and most important
business enterprises.

JAMES BLACK.

James Black occupies a prominent position on the stage of business activity
in Waterloo and at all times has played well his part. He is president of the
James Black Dry Goods Company, which controls most extensive and important
commercial interests, contributing to the welfare and prosperity of the community
as well as to individual success inasmuch as it affords employment to a large force
of salespeople. Mr. Black is a native of County Donegal, Ireland, bom in 1857,
and is a son of William Alexander and Ann (Maltman) Black, also natives of
Donegal, where they spent their entire lives.

In the schools of his native county James Black pursued his education. He
was thirty-five years of age when in 1892 he came to Waterloo and established a
retail dry-goods store on East Fourth street with a capital of forty-five hundred
dollars. He employed two clerks at that time and something of the growth of
his business is indicated in the fact that he now gives employment to over three
hundred people. In 1914 he erected and occupied a new building one hundred
by one hundred and forty feet, eight stories in height with basement, and he now
conducts a business amounting to one million dollars annually. This is incor-
porated under the name of the James Black Dry Goods Company, of which he is
the president.

A contemporary biographer, writing of his commercial career, said : "He has
an almost unlimited capacity for work and a complete conception of the demands
of the pubUc. His establishment is as fully equipped with modern comforts and
conveniences as any city emporium, while his very large and carefully selected
stock is adapted to the demands of the most critical. Mr. Black has introduced
many original ideas into his business, calculated to attract attention and secure
confidence, but all in a legitimate way, for he is not only a big man physically,
but he is big morally also, and it is his chief pride that his business has been built
upon a foundation of commercial honesty. He is awake to all the possibilities of
trade, understands when to buy and when to sell, as becomes a first-class business'

70 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

man, and is at all times ready to meet competition. A marked feature of this
establishment is the courtesy shown to purchasers from its genial head down to
the humblest member of the force, and that this is appreciated is shown by the
large returns from the business." Aside from his commercial interests Mr. Black
is a director and the second vice president of the First National Bank of Waterloo
and a director of the Waterloo Loan & Trust Company.

On the 15th of September, 1892, in Marshalltown, Iowa, Mr. Black was united
in marriage to Miss Anna M. Harper, by whom he has three children, namely:
Anna J., Elizabeth M. and Margaret. The parents hold membership in the Pres-
byterian church and are generous contributors to its support. Mr. Black votes
wath the republican party and is thoroughly conversant with the leading questions
and issues of the day but has had neither time nor inclination for public office.
He holds membership in the Commercial Club and the Board of Trade and, while
an extremely busy man, developing commercial interests of great importance, he
always finds time to cooperate in plans and measures for the public good. He is
notably prompt, energetic and reliable and seems to have a genius for devising
the right thing at the right time, joined to everyday common sense and resistless
will power. Those who meet him in either business or social relations find him
genial and cordial. He holds friendship inviolable and in his life has proven the
truth of the Emersonian philosophy that "the way to win a friend is to be one."

AUSTIN BURT.

Austin Burt, manager of the Citizens Gas & Electric Company of Waterloo, is
a practical business man of sound judgment, forceful and resourceful. He was
born in Detroit, Michigan, June 20, 1870, and is a son of Horace E. and Lillie
( Higgins) Burt, who were natives of Michigan and of Massachusetts respectively.
The family has been represented on American soil from almost the earliest period
of settlement in this country, the emigrant ancestor being Richard Burt, who
came from England in 1638. His great-great-grandson, Alvin Burt, was a soldier
of the Revolutionary w^ar, enlisting from Massachusetts, and he was the great-
great-grandfather of x\ustin Burt, of this review. In 1902 the parents of our
subject came to Waterloo, where the father still makes his home, but the mother
passed away in 1909.

Reared in his native city, Austin Burt attended the public schools of Detroit
and later was a student in the public schools of Black River Falls, Wisconsin,
from which he was graduated with the class of 1890. He pursued his college
course at Cornell University of Ithaca, New York, where he completed a Mechani-
cal Engineering course, specializing electricity, and was graduated with the
class of 1900. He then removed to Cedar Falls and secured a position in con-
nection with the Electric Light Company, of which he was made manager in the
month of December. He remained in that position for a year and a half and then
came to his present connection with the Citizens Gas & Electric Company of
Waterloo as superintendent, later becoming manager. He is thoroughly equipped
by scientific training and practical experience for the duties which devolve upon
him and his record is a thoroughly creditable one, for he has steadily advanced

AUSTIN BUET

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 73

in his chosen field and is today a foremost figure among the electrical engineers
of the state.

On the 1 8th of January, 1898, Mr. Burt was married at Cedar Falls, Iowa, to
Miss Mary Ellen Bartlett, a daughter of Professor Moses W. Bartlett, now de-
ceased, formerly of the Iowa Teachers' College of Cedar Falls. Mr. and Mrs.
Burt have two children: Dorothy Irene, born in 1902; and Richard Bartlett,
whose birth occurred in 1906.

Mr. and Mrs. Burt are members of the Congregational church and are in-
terested in the various plans and measures put forth for the benefit of the com-
munity along material and social as well as moral lines. For seven years Mr.
Burt served on the library board and for five years has been a member of the
school board, acting in both positions at the present time. His political views
are in accord with the principles of the republican party, while fraternally he is
well known, being vice chancellor of Helmet Lodge, No. 109, K. P., a Master
Mason and one of the Woodmen of the World. Formerly he was identified with
the Elks, but is now demitted. He belongs to the Commercial Club and is presi-
dent of the Bunker Hill Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution at
Waterloo. He is guided by a spirit of patriotism in all of his public connections.
He has many sterling traits of character, but none more admirable than his de-
votion to duty, which is manifest in his business life, in his church relations and
in every field into which he has directed his activities. He is now serving as one
of the trustees of the First Congregational church and he is a member of the
Iowa Historical Society. He also has membership in the college fraternity, Phi
Gamma Delta, and the college honor society, Sigma Xi.

High honors have come to him along the path of his profession. In 1905 he
was president of the Iowa Electrical Association and in 1907 was president of the
Iowa District Gas Association. From 191 2 until 1914 he has been a director of
the American Gas Institute of New York, which is a national association. He is
likewise a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and the
American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Progress and patriotism might well
be termed the keynote of his character. He neglects none of life's duties, is
patient and persevering in their performance, and in all that he does is guided by
high ideals.

GEORGE W. DAWSON.

Georee W. Dawson, member of the bar of Waterloo, was born in Butler
county, Iowa, in 1864, a son of Edward Dawson, deceased, who was a native of
England and in the year 1856 came to this state, settling in Butler county, where
he engaged in farming and stock-raising throughout the remainder of his life.
He brought his land to a high state of cultivation and carefully managed his
business affairs. He married Catherine Fearns, a native of Ireland.

Their son, George W. Dawson, pursued his early education in the public
schools of his native county and afterward attended the University of Iowa and
also taught school. He imparted readily and clearly to others the knowledge
which he had acquired, but he regarded this merely as an initial step to other

74 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

professional labor and afterward took up the study of law, being graduated from
the law department of the University of Iowa with the class of 1887. He then
located in Waterloo, opened an office and entered upon the practice of his pro-
fession. With the exception of one year, which he spent as a partner of Judge
M. F. Edwards, he has always been alone in practice and his success is therefore
the direct result of his merit and ability. He practices in all the courts of the
state and in the federal court and is a well known member of the county and of
the state bar associations. He has marked strength of character combined with
a thorough grasp of the law, and he has in large degree the rare ability of saying
in a convincing way the right thing at the right time. His practice is now quite
extensive and of an important character. Aside from his professional interests,
Mr. Dawson is a stockholder in various business enterprises and projects which
return to him a gratifying annual income.

In 1890 was celebrated the marriage of George W. Dawson and Miss Ellen
Swan, a daughter of Z. M. Swan, of Butler county, and they have become parents
of two sons. Dale, now deceased, and Donald. Mr. Dawson holds membership
in the Commercial Club and Board of Trade, of which he was secretary for a
number of years, and as a public-spirited citizen he cooperates in many plans
and measures for the general good, contributing largely to the upbuilding and
improvement of town and county. He is well known in fraternal circles, holding
membership in the lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masons, and he
likewise has membership with the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and other
organizations.

In politics he is an active republican, recognized as one of the leaders of his
party in Black Hawk county. He was elected and served as county attorney for
eight years and he has been local attorney for the Illinois Central Railroad Com-
pany for a similar period. Fle is interested in all that pertains to the public wel-
fare and is remiss in no duty of citizenship, yet concentrates his efforts most
largely upon his profession, and his legal learning, his analytical mind and the
readiness with which he grasps the points in an argument combine to make hini
one of the strong members of the Iowa bar.

GEORGE N. GARRETTSON.

George N. Garrettson is the vice president of the Iowa State Bank of Waterloo
and through the entire period of his residence in this city has been connected with
banking interests. He is a native of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and was there
reared and educated, pursuing a public-school course of study. After putting aside
his text-books he was connected with various lines of business before coming to
Waterloo in 1899. Here he entered banking circles as an employe of the Com-
mercial National Bank, with which fie was connected for four or five years, but
wishing to have his efforts more directly benefit himself, he then joined with
others in organizing the Iowa State Bank, of which he was cashier for a time.
Later he was elected vice president and is now the second officer of the institu-
tion. Its business policy has ever been a safe, conservative one which commends
the bank to the patronage of the public, and as vice president Mr. Garrettson is

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 75

active in carrying forward the business of the bank, which has been estabhshed
on a safe basis and is enjoying continuous growth year by year. He is also one
of the directors of the Iowa Manufacturers Fire Insurance Company and is con-
nected with other business interests which contribute to the growth and up-
building of the city as well as to individual success.

In 1913 Mr. Garrettson was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Manson, of
Waterloo. They attend the Presbyterian church and are widely known and
popular in social circles of the city. Mr. Garrettson is also popular in Masonry
as a Knight Templar and has membership in the Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks. He also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and to the Waterloo Club,
and no plan or project for the upbuilding and benefit of the city and county
seeks his aid in vain. He neglects no duty public or private and as the years
have gone by he has become most firmly established in the regard and good-will
of his fellow citizens.

W. H. BRUNN.

W. H. Brunn was born in 1873 in the city in which he yet makes his home,
his father being D. H. Brunn, who came to Waterloo in the early '50s and cast
in his lot with the pioneer settlers. He was a stationary engineer, spending the
active years of his life at that work, but at the present time he is living retired.
He realized the value and worth of education and gave to his son W. H. Brunn
every possible advantage along that line. The latter was a pubHc-school pupil
in W^aterloo and later entered Cornell College. His professional course was
pursued in the law department of the Iowa State University, in which he won his
LL. B. degree upon graduation with the class of 1897. He then practiced for
two years at Reinbeck, Iowa, in partnership with W. N. Birdsall and in 1899 he
came to Waterloo, where he entered into partnership with Wirt P. Hoxie, with
whom he has since been associated, the firm of Hoxie & Brunn being today one
of the strongest at the Black Flawk county bar. He practices in all the state and
federal courts and is a member of the county bar association. The zeal with
which he has devoted his energies to his profession, the careful regard evinced
for the interests of his clients and an assiduous and unrelaxing attention to all
the details of his cases have brought him a large business and made him very
successful in its conduct.

Aside from his law practice Mr. Brunn is the secretary of the Waterloo Build-
ing & Loan Association and is financially connected with a number of the leading
business and manufacturing interests of Waterloo — interests which contribute to
public prosperity and progress as well as to individual success. In business affairs
his judgment is sound, his sagacity keen and he readily discriminates between the
essential and the nonessential.

In 1900 Mr. Brunn was married to Miss Addie Felsing, and they have one
daughter and one son, Ruth and Roger. The parents attend the Evangelical
church and in social circles of the city occupy a prominent position. Mr. Brunn
holds membership in the Waterloo Commercial Club and Board of Trade. He
belongs also to the Masons, Elks, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias lodges

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit which is the underlying principle
of those organizations. He served as assistant county attorney for three years
and is now secretary of the east side school district. His political allegiance has
always been given to the republican party, but, while undoubtedly he is not with-
out that honorable ambition which is so powerful and useful as an incentive to
activity in public afi:'airs, he regards the pursuits of private life as being in them-
selves abundantly worthy of his best efforts. His is a character that subordinates
personal ambition to public good and seeks rather the benefit of others than the
aggrandizement of self.

HON. REA CARL THOMPSON.

The Hon. Rea Carl Thompson, mayor of Waterloo, has been closely identi-
fied with business, public and political interests in the city for a number of years
and has risen to a place of prominence. His life record stands in contradistinc-
tion to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own
country, for he is a native son of the eity in which he has been called to the
position of chief executive. He was born February 13, 1873, a son of John and
Mary (Carl) Thompson, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of
Ohio. The family comes of Scotch ancestry, the great-grandfather having been
a native of Scotland and the founder of the family in the new world. The Carl
family is descended from ancestors from the north of Ireland. In the year
1849 John Thompson removed westward to Iowa, settling in Linn county, and
the same year, attracted by the gold discoveries in California, made his way to
the Pacific coast, where he spent some time in a search for the precious metal.
Following his return to Iowa he brought his family to Waterloo in 1852 and for
many years he was head miller in a mill of this city. He also served for fifteen
years as constable in Waterloo and his record as a business man and as an official
is equally creditable. He passed away December 31, 1900, after a residence of
about a half century in \\^aterloo, but his widow still survives and makes her
home in this city.

Rea C. Thompson attended the public schools of Waterloo to the age of fifteen
years and afterward pursued a course in a business college of Waterloo, from
which he was graduated. Subsequently he began learning the printer's trade and
in 1901 he purchased the Guthrie County (la.) Republican, a weekly paper,
which he conducted for about a year. He then sold out and returned to Waterloo,
where he opened a job office, which he conducted from 1902 until 1904. He then
disposed of that business and in the spring of 1905 was elected city clerk, which
position he occupied continuously until 191 2, when he was chosen mayor of
Waterloo. He made such an excellent record during his first term of service
that he was reelected in 191 4 and is now the incumbent in that office. He was
the first mayor elected from the west side and the first one to carry the entire
ticket with him. He has proven a popular official because of the value and worth
of his public service and his well known devotion to the public welfare. His
administration is businesslike and progressive and has resulted in bringing about
various needed reforms and improvements.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 77

Mr. Thompson has a military chapter in his Hfe history inasmuch as he was
a member of Company B, Forty-ninth Iowa National Guard, for five years, and
served for three years as its first lieutenant. In this he followed in the footsteps
of his father, who at the time of the Civil war joined the Union army and was
a sergeant in a regiment of infantry, with which he participated in a number
of hotly contested engagements.

In his political views Rea C. Thompson has ever been a stalwart republican
since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he does everything in
his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. Fraternally
he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with the Elks, the
Moose and the Eagles, and he is also a member of the Town Criers Club and
the Chamber of Commerce, being in hearty sympathy with their purpose to pro-
mote the development, upbuilding and welfare of the city. He is widely and
favorably known and has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle
of his acquaintance. As he has been continuously in office for ten years, there is
no reason to question the excellence of the record which he has made, that being
self-evident. Many tangible evidences of his public spirit can be cited and he
belongs to that class of patriotic American citizens who have ever made private
interests subservient to the public good.

lOHN G. RALSTON.

John G. Ralston, of Waterloo, who has gained considerable prominence as
an architect, was born in Benton county, Iowa, on the 3d of October, 1870, a son
of James and Elizabeth (Graham) Ralston. Both of his parents were born near
Madison, Indiana, and there the father engaged in the harness business. In 1868
the family removed from the Hoosier state to Iowa and located at Vinton, Benton
county, where the father continued in the same business and resided there until
his death, which occurred in 1904. His widow now makes her home with the
subject of this review.

John G. Ralston was the fourth in order of birth in a family of eight children
and, as his parents appreciated the value of good education, he received excellent
advantages along that line. After attending the public schools of Benton county
he was a student in Tilford Academy. On attaining his majority he learned the
carpenter's trade, which he followed for five years and then engaged in the con-
tracting business in connection with W. F. Murphy, of Waterloo, becoming a
resident of this city in 1897. Mr. Murphy died in 1904 and since that time
Mr. Ralston has conducted the business alone. In 1907 he began to design build-
ings as well as erect them and one year later abandoned the contracting business
and has since done architectural work exclusively. His experience as a carpenter
and contractor has been of great aid to him in his later work, as it has enabled him
to make his plans practical and to adapt them to the material to be used, the
desired cost and other conditions. His ability has gained him wide recognition
and clients come to him from all over Iowa as well as a number of other states.
He devotes his entire time and attention to his rapidly growing business interests
and the fact that he does not dissipate his energies over several fields of work is

78 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

a potent factor in his success. He has invested to a considerable extent in real
estate, buying valuable city property.

Mr. Ralston was married in June, 1897, to Miss Gertrude Verharen, who was
born in Rock Island, Illinois, and is a daughter of Henry and Tabitha (Sheriff)
Verharen, natives of Germany and of Illinois respectively. Her father, who was
an undertaker and furniture dealer, came to Iowa in the '70s and located at
Vinton, where he established a profitable business. He passed away there in
1904 and his widow now resides in Waterloo. He served in the Civil war in the
Ninety-third Illinois Volunteers and was as patriotic in exercising his right of
suffrage as upon the battlefields of the south. Mr. and Mrs. Ralston have two
children : Glen E., who was born on the 30th of March, 1903 ; and Richard V.,
born on the i8th of March, 1908. Both children are in school.

Mr. Ralston is a republican but has never aspired to ofiice, being content to
leave to others the responsibilities of official position. He is a member of the
Masonic order and has taken the Knights Templar degree in the York Rite, in
which he has served as commander. He also belongs to the Mystic Shrine and
has other fraternal connections, as he holds membership in the Knights of Pythias
and the Moose. All who have been associated with Mr. Ralston, whether in
business or social relations, have found him upright, courteous and kindly.

H. O. KELLEY.

H. O. Kelley is secretary of the Retail Merchants Association of Waterloo, in
which connection he is doing important work to further the interests of the or-
ganization and to promote the welfare of its members through the extension of
the trade relations of the city. Thirteen years have come and gone since he
arrived in Waterloo — a young man of twenty-seven years. He was born in
Bureau county, Illinois, in 1874, and spent the period of his boyhood and youth
in that state. His education was acquired in the public schools of Illinois and
after leaving school he engaged in the drug business in his native state for about
four years. Failing health obliged him to secure outdoor work and he came to
Waterloo in 1901. He was then with the Rock Island until 1905, at which time
he became traffic manager for the Iowa Dairy Manufacturing Company of
Waterloo, remaining in active connection with that business for about eight years.
On the 1st of January, 1913, he embarked in^the general commission business
and on the ist of May, of the same year, he took charge of his present office
as secretary of the Waterloo Retail Merchants Association. His previous
varied experience, his study of conditions and the knowledge that he had acquired
through reading and observation well qualified him for the work which he un-
dertook in this connection and there is general satisfaction manifest concerning
his efforts.

In 1901 Mr. Kelley was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Shain, of
La Harpe, Illinois. He belongs to Waterloo Lodge. No. 105, A. F. & A. M.. of
which he is a past master, and he has membership in the Town Criers Club.
Advancement has come to him along lines of increasing usefulness and he is
today occupying a position of importance, for Waterloo is a growing, vigorous

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 79

and aggressive city. Moreover, it is a recognized fact that efficiency is best
promoted through organization and that expert knowledge of trade conditions
must precede the greatest advancement. Mr. Kelley is qualified to meet all the
requirements of his position and as secretary of the association is actively en-
gaged in advancing the interests of the retail merchants of Waterloo.

GEORGE ELVIN BICKLEY.

George Elvin Bickley is general manager of the Corn Belt Telephone Com-
pany at Waterloo and is one of the city's progressive and representative resi-
dents. Along the path of industry and efficiency he has advanced to the plane
of affluence and while carefully and systematically conducting his business aflfairs,
actuated by laudable ambition, he has at the same time recognized and improved
his opportunities. Mr. Bickley was born in Waterloo on the 19th of November,
1874, and is a son of Samuel B. and Susanna (Klingaman) Bickley, the former a
native of Westmoreland county and the latter of Somerset county, Pennsyl-
vania. The father, however, was reared in Ohio from his third year and in
1865 came to Waterloo, being then a young man. The same year Susanna
Klingaman accompanied her parents on their removal to Waterloo, she being at
that time a young woman of seventeen years. Mr. Bickley carried on general
agricultural pursuits as a life work and as the years went on prospered in his
undertaking, winning a substantial competence that now enables him to live
retired. He makes his home in Waterloo, where he is enjoying a well earned
rest, and his life, honorable and upright at all times, has won him the high
regard of his fellow townsmen.

George E. Bickley was reared at home and was educated in the city schools
of Waterloo and the University of Wisconsin, where he pursued a special course
in electrical engineering. Following the completion of his studies in 1895 he
found employment with the Cedar Valley Telephone Company of Waterloo, in
which connection he has steadily worked his way upward, and in 1898 he was
made superintendent of the company. In 1901 he went west to Denver, Colo-
rado, and accepted a position as inspector of the Colorado Bell Telephone Com-
pany. One year later he was made wire chief, in which capacity he continued
until 1907, when he returned to Waterloo to accept the superintendency of the
plant department of the Corn Belt Telephone Company, formerly the Cedar
Valley Telephone Company. In 1910 he was made superintendent of the plant
as well as superintendent of the Cedar Rapids & Marion plants and in Septem-
ber, 1913, he was further advanced to the position of general manager of the
Corn Belt Telephone Company at the time of the consolidation of the various
companies in this part of the state. He still holds a directorate in the Cedar
Rapids & Marion Company as well as in the Corn Belt Company and he is
likewise a director of the Home Building & Loan Company of Waterloo. He
is familiar with every phase of the telephone business and his experience well
qualifies him for the onerous and responsible duties which devolve upon him in
this connection. His ability has developed as the years have gone on and he is
now devoting his attention to executive control and administrative direction.

80 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

carefully looking after all the details of the business and controlling the efforts
of those who serve under him.

In 1 90 1 Mr. Bickley was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle E. Kelley, of
Waterloo, and they have become the parents of three children, Dorothy Helen,
George Francis and Mildred Elsie. Mr. Bickley votes with the republican party
and his fraternal connections are with Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M.;
Iowa Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R.. of Cedar Rapids; and El Kahir Temple,
A. A. O. N. M. S., also of Cedar Rapids. He is likewise connected with the
Knights of Pythias and with the Waterloo Commercial Club. He ranks today
among the foremost citizens of Black Hawk county. He keeps in touch with
the trend of modern thought and progress, understands the conditions which
affect the welfare of community, state and nation and at all times uses his aid
and influence on the side of advancement and improvement.

GEORGE WILLIAM CLARK.

No history of Cedar Falls or of Black Haw^k county would be complete were
there failure to make extended reference to George William Clark, now one of
the venerable citizens and honored pioneer settlers of this part of the state. In
many ways he has been closely identified with its histor}^ and has cooperated in
many lines of work for the benefit and upbuilding of the community. He was
born in Riga, Monroe county. New York, August 30, 1833, a son of Ebenezer and
Lois (Knowles) Clark. The father was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts,
February 27, 1787, and the mother was born September 2, 1792. The father,
who followed farming as a life work, died in Riga, New York, after w^hich the
mother came to Iowa and passed away at the home of her son, George William,
in Cedar Falls. At different times Ebenezer Clark held local offices and in various
ways contributed to the improvement and upbuilding of the district in which
he lived.

George W. Clark was an only child. He attended the district schools of Riga
Comers, New York, was for two terms a student at Churchville, New York, and
spent one winter in an academy at Riga Corners. All through his life he has been
learning valuable lessons in the school of experience until his knowledge is now
broad, especially in connection with those practical phases of life which lead to
success in business undertakings. He was but sixteen years of age at the time
of his father's death, after which he operated the homestead for a year, at the
end of which time the property was sold. He attended school the following winter
and the succeeding spring he worked for an uncle on a farm, being thus em-
ployed until the following July. In 1851 he made his way to the middle west,
settling first in Janesville, Wisconsin, where he clerked in a store until the spring
of 1854. In March of that year, in company with Thomas Scarcliff, he went to
Independence, Iowa, making his way after a few weeks to Waterloo, and from
that point walked to Cedar Falls. Here he obtained employment in a store as a
clerk, but after three months he went wath Mr. Scarcliff to Dubuque, Iowa, and
thence by boat to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he attended a Fourth of July cele-
bration. At that time St. Paul contained but a few slab shanties, being a typical

MES. GEORGE W. CLARK

GEORGE W. CLARK

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 85

town of the western frontier. He remained there for a week and then returned
to New York on a visit. On the ist of October, 1854, he again came to Cedar
Falls and soon afterward purchased ten acres of timber land north of the city.
In December, 1854, he once more went to Janesville, Wisconsin, where he visited
for a time and where he was married in January, 1855.

Mr. Clark returned to Cedar Falls in the latter part of that month and in
February he hired a man to cut logs and bank them on the stream. Later he
i-afted these down the river to a sawmill at Cedar Falls, had the logs sawed and
i)uilt a bam. It was his intention to engage in the livery business, which he did
in this bam on Second street. He conducted a small livery business for a time, but
in 1856 sold out and purchased a farm of eighty acres between Waterloo and
Cedar Falls which he afterward traded for a farm across the river. He likewise
purchased a five acre tract of timber land and engaged in cutting the logs and
milling them. He then fenced his twenty-three acres of land, which he continued
to cultivate for three years, although during that period he resided in Cedar Falls,
having in the meantime built a residence on the corner of Main and Sixth streets.
A part of that house is still standing. In 1861, when the war broke out, he had
two lots on Iowa street and thereon he built a house which he occupied after the
fall of 1 86 1. On the ist of January, 1862, he engaged in the draying business,
having at first but one horse. He conducted the business for one year in a small
way and then more extensively, keeping three rigs and hiring two men. About
that time he purchased the bus and team belonging to the hotel and established
a bus and transfer line. He continued in the omnibus business for fifteen years,
at the end of which time he sold out, but continued the draying business from
January, 1862, until 1882. In the meantime he purchased a farm on the Waterloo
road in the spring of 1874 and hired a man to operate it for a short time. In
August of that year, however, he took possession of the place and carried on
farming in connection with his draying and transfer business, remaining upon
that place for about eighteen years, during which time he made many substantial
improvements.

Mr. Clark returned to Cedar Falls in April, 1892, and has resided here con-
tinuously since. From the spring of 1892 until 1896 he lived practically retired,
but in the latter year purchased another dray line and conducted the business for
fifteen years, when he sold out on the 15th of July, 191 1. Since that time he has
lived retired. He is still, however, a stockholder in a broom factory and he is the
owner of the lot on which his residence is situated and a tract four rods square
on the adjoining lot, on which he has built a warehouse. His business affairs
have been judiciously conducted and capably managed and as the years have gone
by diligence, determination and industry have brought him substantial success.

On the 14th of January, 1855, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Fanny
Frazer Streeter, who was born at Clifton Springs, Ontario county, New York, a
daughter of Simeon Dexter and Abonene S. (Donaldson) Streeter, the former a
native of Massachusetts, while the latter was born near Otsego, New York. Her
father engaged in the clothing business in early life and also in manufacturing cloth
in New York. He died and was buried at Lyons, New York, after which his
widow went to Janesville, Wisconsin, with her family and later removed to Chicago
to live with her son, there passing away in i860. Mr. Streeter held the office of
constable in Vienna, New York, and he conducted the Farmers' Resort Hotel at

V.il. II— r>

86 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Clifton Springs. It was there that Mrs. Clark was born, the sixth in order of
birth in a family of ten children. Four brothers served throughout the Civil war
and one of them died in Libby prison. Mr. and Mrs. Clark became the parents
of nine children: William R., who has been an engineer on the Illinois Central
Railroad for a quarter of a century and now resides at Fort Dodge, Iowa ; Clara
R., the wife of J. E. Bates, who is engaged in the insurance business in Waterloo ;
Tibbie S., who died at the age of two years ; Nettie Eva, the wife of C. INI. Wyne-
koop, engaged in the cigar and tobacco business at Cedar Falls ; Arthur, who died
in infancy; George Byron, who resides at the corner of Fourth and Tremont
streets in Cedar Falls and is engaged in merchandising; Luther, who died in
infancy; Mary Alice, who married A. B. Mason, a traveling salesman living in
Cedar Falls ; and the youngest, who died in infancy.

Mr. Clark is a member of the Ancient Order of United W^orkmen and gives
his political allegiance to the democratic party on many occasions but is some-
what independent in his political connections. He is one of the pioneer settlers
of the county and brought to this district the first piano in Cedar Falls or
Black Hawk county. He was also the owner of the first kerosene lamp in Cedar
Falls and paid a dollar and a half per gallon for oil. This was as much a matter
of marvel in those days as was the introduction of electric lights in the present
generation. Mr. Clark has lived to witness notable changes in this section of
the state. He has passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey— years
covering a momentous period in the history of the country. He has seen the
building of railroads, has witnessed the introduction of the telegraph and the
telephone and has seen progress along every line of business life. His influence
has always been on the side of advancement and improvement during the period
of his connection with Black Hawk county and he has ever been highly esteemed
as a valued citizen. He is today one of the venerable residents of Cedar Falls,
respected and honored by all who know him.

WILLIAM GALLOW^AY.

William Galloway occupies a central place on the stage of business activity in
Waterloo and Black Hawk county, being identified with various business interests
which are important factors in advancing the material progress and business activ-
ity of this section of the state. He is the president of the William Galloway Com
pany, the president of the Galloway Investment Company and president of the
Galloway Brothers Company and is thus widely known in connection with the
industrial, commercial and financial interests of his section. He was born in
Berlin, Iowa, in 1877, and supplemented a public-school course by study in Mon-
mouth College at Monmouth. Illinois. He started upon his business career by
selling specialities, driving through the country with a horse and buggy and visit-
ing the farmhouses en route. He afterward entered the employ of an implement
dealer at Reinbeck, Iowa, and in time was admitted to a partnership in the busi-
ness. After considerable experience in that line he became a traveling salesman
in the implement and farm-machinery business and thus gradually advanced step
by step, gaining continually a broader outlook and wider opportunities.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 87

In 1901 Mr. Galloway came to Waterloo and the following year laid the foun-
dation for his present large interests by beginning business as a jobber in agri-
cultural implements. Later he began manufacturing on a small scale, his first
plant being located on Falls avenue. From the beginning, however, the business
steadily increased in volume and eventually the plant of the Cascaden Manu-
facturing Company was purchased and the business incorporated in 1906 with a
capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars. The business grew with marvelous
rapidity and led to an increase in the capital stock to two hundred thousand dol-
lars and later to four hundred thousand dollars, while the present capitalization of
the company is three million five hundred thousand dollars. Their factories, their
fine office building and the building of the Agriculture Club, which they organized,
cover about fourteen acres and in addition the William Galloway Company also
owns a tract of four hundred acres of fine land between the plant and Cedar Falls.
The output includes gasoline engines, spreaders, cream separators, portable ele-
vators, wagons, harrows and many other implements and their employes number
from four hundred to nine hundred, according to the season. The business runs
up annually to the two million dollar mark in volume. This is one of the most
extensive and important manufacturing concerns of central Iowa. The work has
been carefully systematized in every particular and in the conduct of the business
quality is never sacrificed to quantity. The enterprise is the outcome of the busi-
ness ability, capable management and laudable ambition of William Galloway, who
has ever eagerly embraced his legitimate opportunities and along the path of
indefatigable industry and activity has advanced to the goal of success, his interests
at all times conforming to the highest commercial standards.

The upbuilding of such an institution would alone entitle Mr. Galloway to rep-
resentation among the foremost citizens of Black Hawk county, yet this does
not cover the scope of his activities and business interests, for he also organized
the Galloway Investment Company, of which he is the president and which was
incorporated with a capital stock of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, of
which two hundred thousand dollars has been paid up. The company buys, plats
and sells real estate and has platted some of the principal additions to Waterloo,
including the Galloway addition. Prospect Hill, Cedar Heights and Meadow Dale.
Mr. Galloway also organized the Galloway Brothers Company, capitalized for
five hundred thousand dollars, and of this he is likewise the president. The last
named company handles all kinds of farm, field and flower seeds and the business
amounts to upwards of two hundred thousand dollars annually and covers large
sections of the United States and Canada, while shipments are sent to thirty-two
foreign countries.

In 1901 Mr. Galloway was united in marriage to Miss Naomi Murray, of
Reinbeck, Iowa', and to them have been born five children, William Ross, Dwight
Murray, David John, Mary Naomi and Frances Elizabeth. The family are mem-
bers of the United Presbyterian church and Mr. Galloway also belongs to the Com-
mercial Club and Board of Trade, the Chamber of Commerce, the Waterloo Club
and the Town Criers Club, all of which organizations have for their object the
development, upbuilding and improvement of the city and the extension of its
trade relations.

Mr. Galloway has not only been a cooperant factor in many measures for the
benefit of Waterloo, but has also instituted and promoted a number of such. In

88 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

an analyzation of his record and his career it must be recog-nized that balance,
harmony and sound judgment are his native traits. Anyone meeting Mr. Galloway
face to face would know at once that he is. an individual embodying all the ele-
ments of what in this country we term a "square" man — one in whom to have
confidence, a dependable man in any relation and any emergency. His quietude
of deportment, his easy dignity, his frankness and cordiality of address, with a
total absence of anything sinister or anything to conceal, foretoken a man who is
ready to meet any obligation of life with the confidence and courage that come of
conscious personal ability, a right conception of things and a habitual regard for
what is best in the exercise of human activities.

T. E. RUST.

T. E. Rust is the chief engineer of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Rail-
road and for five years has been a resident of Waterloo. He was born in Saginaw,
Michigan, and during his childhood days accompanied his parents on their removal
to Denver, Colorado, where the period of his youth was largely passed. He
attended the schools of that city and then returned to his native state for his
collegiate course, entering the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He has
devoted the last fifteen or sixteen years of his life to engineering and was with the
Denver & Rio Grande Railroad in connection with the work of construction, loca-
tion and maintenance. He was also active in the construction of the White Pass
& Yukon Railroad of Alaska and he afterward became chief assistant engineer of
the Chicago Great Western Railroad, at which time L. S. Cass, also of Waterloo,
was its vice president. It was his acquaintance with Mr. Cass which won for
him his present responsible position. In May, 1909, he came to Waterloo as chief
engineer of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Railroad and in that capacity
has had charge of the construction of the road, building the Waverly extension
from Denver Junction to Waverly and also the Cedar Rapids extension.

C. M. CHENEY.

C. M. Cheney is general freight and passenger agent of the Waterloo, Cedar
Falls & Northern Railroad. Practically his entire life has been spent in railroad
service and his advancement has come to him as the logical result of close
application, diligence and ability. For twelve years he has made his home in
Waterloo and throughout the entire period has been connected with the railroad
company with which he is now holding a most responsible position. He was born
in Bradford, Illinois, in 1875, but when quite young he was brought by his par-
ents to Iowa, the family home being established in Marshalltown, where his
youthful days were spent and he acquired a public-school education. He then took
up the study of telegraphy and entered the employ of the Western Union Tele-
graph Company, acting as operator at Marshalltown and afterward at Mason
City, continuing with that corporation for a year and a half. He next entered

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 89

the service of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, which he
represented at various points on the Iowa and Dakota division. Still later he
was with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad Company and next
with the Chicago Great Western Railroad Company, continuing with that road
for a number of years at various places. On entering the employ of the Waterloo,
Cedar Falls & Northern Railroad Company he was made assistant general freight
agent and so continued for a period but in 1905 was appointed general freight
and passenger agent and has remained in that position of trust and responsi-
bility for nine years. He is well known in railway circles throughout the northern
Mississippi valley and as he has demonstrated the value and worth of his service
he has won promotion from time to time.

On the 2ist of February, 1895, Air. Cheney was united in marriage to Miss
Elizabeth M. Briggs, of Andrew county, Missouri, and they are now the parents
of a daughter and son, Margery and Eugene M. Mr. Cheney has membership
relations with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Since coming to Water-
loo he has entered into affiliation with the Commercial Club and Board of Trade,
the Town Criers Club, the Chamber of Commerce and the Waterloo Club. He
stands at all times for advancement and improvement along lines contributing
to the progress and upbuilding of city and county and his cooperation can ever
be counted upon for the benefit of his community, for he is a most public-spirited
citizen. At the same time he never neglects a business duty nor obligation and
his worth is attested by the officials of the railway which he represents.

WILLIAM ROBERT LAW.

William Robert Law is an active member of the bar of Black Hawk county,
practicing in Waterloo, where he is also well known as a progressive and public-
spirited citizen who in public office has proven his loyalty to the welfare of the
community. One of the native sons of the county, he was born in Black Hawk
township in 1880, a son of William M. Law, also of Waterloo. The father was
born in Canada and arrived in this county in 1868. He took up- his abode upon
a farm and continued to engage in its cultivation until he was appointed to the
position of postmaster at Hudson and took up his abode in that town, serving
for four years in that position. He then entered the insurance business, in
which he continued until he was elected sheriff of Black Hawk county in 1896.
He then removed to Waterloo and entered upon the duties of that position, which
he discharged with such promptness, capability and impartiality that he was re-
elected and continued as the incumbent for eight years or until 1904. He then
retired from the office as he had entered it — with the confidence and good-will
of all law-abiding citizens — and since that time he has been engaged in the real-
estate business in Waterloo, where he is classed with the representative and
valued citizens. His wife, Mrs. Eliza Jessie Law, is deceased.

William Robert Law was educated in the schools of Hudson and in the East
Waterloo high school, from which he w^as graduated as a member of the class
of 1899. Deciding upon the practice of law as a life work he began studying
in the University of Iowa and was graduated with the LL. B. degree in the class

90 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

of 1904. He then practiced law independently in the office of Boies & Boies
until January i, 1906, when he was admitted to partnership under the firm style
of Boies & Law. That association was continued until January i, 1909, when
Mr. Law was appointed postmaster of Waterloo and entered upon the duties of
that position, which he occupied for four years, or until October, 191 3. He then
resumed the practice of his profession and is accorded a good clientage. He has
a wide knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and recognizes the fact that
the careful preparation of cases is one of the strongest elements of success and
in the presentation of his cause is strong, forceful and logical. He is also a
stockholder and director of the Dairy Cattle Congress. He was president of the
Presidential Postmasters Association of Iowa in 191 1, a fact which indicates his
high standing and his personal popularity.

In 1910 Mr. Law married Miss Makepeace Morris, of Atlantic, Iowa, and
they have become the parents of two sons, Robert Morris and Franklin Nichols.
Mr. Law is well known in fraternal relations, holding membership in the Knights
of Pythias lodge, of which he is a past chancellor commander, and the Elks lodge,
in which he is a past exalted ruler. He likewise belongs to the Commercial
Club and the Board of Trade of Waterloo and to the Town Criers Club. He
also has membership in the local bar association. His social qualities render
him popular and he is widely known as a genial, courteous gentleman, consid-
erate and kindly as well as firm and determined. He has made an excellent
record, not only as an active and progressive citizen, but also in the line of his
profession, and the future will undoubtedly hold in store for him broader
opportunities.

CARLETON SIAS.

Carleton Sias, a lawyer and banker of Waterloo, came to Iowa from Rochester,
New York, in 1903. He is a native of Monroe county. New York, being a son
of Daniel B. and Lucy B. Sias ; received his early training in the country schools
and graduated from the Rochester high school. In graduation he obtained a
scholarship from the state of New York, on competitive examination, to Cornell
University, where he took a course in law, graduating with the class of 1898 with
the degree of LL. B. After spending a year in the law office of James Breck
Perkins, the well known French historian, he was admitted to the bar of the
state of New York at the age of twenty-one and practiced in Rochester until
1903, when he came to Waterloo, as attorney for the Leavitt & Johnson Trust
Company, later becoming secretary of the company and in 191 1 a director and
\ ice president of the Leavitt & Johnson Trust Company, and also of the Waterloo
Savings Bank, with which institutions he has been identified during all the time
he has lived in Iowa. In 1914 he formed a partnership in the practice of law with
George E. Pike, imder the name of Pike & Sias, at the same time maintaining
his active connection with the trust company and savings bank.

Mr. Sias has been identified with the public activities of Waterloo, having
been for years a member and secretary of the library board, a member and
for several years president of the school board, secretary of the river front

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 91

improvement commission, treasurer of the Black Hawk Comity Bar Asso-
ciation and a member of the Waterloo Club. He has also been actively identified
with fraternal and social organizations, being a member of Waterloo Lodge, No.
105, A. F. & A. M. ; having held all of the chairs in Camp No. 2059, M. W. of A.,
and served as delegate for Black Hawk county to the national meeting of that
organization in Chicago, and also in Buffalo, New York ; being a member of the
Yeomen ; and being also chancellor commander of Helmet Lodge, No. 89, Knights
of Pythias. He has moreover been president of the Fortnightly Club.

In 191 1 when Company L, Fifty-third Regiment, I. N. G., was organized, he
was elected first lieutenant and in 191 3 was elected captain of Company L to
succeed Captain J. H. Hildebrand, deceased.

When in college he was active in debating matters, being speaker of the
Cornell Congress and a member of the Cornell team in the Cornell-Pennsylvania
intercollegiate debate.

In July, 1903. Mr. Sias was married to Miss Jeanette Payne, of Rochester,
New York, and they have two sons, Carleton Payne and Erwin Daniel.

MICHAEL H. KELLY.

Michael H. Kelly is the efficient postmaster of Waterloo, to which position he
was appointed in October, 1913. He had previously engaged in the practice of
law and had won for himself a creditable position at the bar of Black Hawk
county. Wisconsin numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred
at New Diggings on the 29th of May, 1871. His father, John D. Kelly, was a
native of County Cork, Ireland, and was a son of Daniel Kelly, who spent his
entire life on the Emerald isle. John D. Kelly, however, came to the United
States about 1848 with his widowed mother, two brothers and three sisters. Of
that family one yet survives, Patrick D., who came to Black Hawk county in
1 87 1 and now engages in farming the land which he purchased in 1867. He is
the father of twelve children, one of whom, Daniel M. Kelly, is now (1914) at-
torney general of Montana. For a considerable period John D. Kelly followed
mining, working at that occupation in Wisconsin, while in later life he turned hi*^
attention to farming. In November, 1 881, he removed to Tama county, Iowa, and
in 1892 took up his abode in Winnebago county, this state. He died in January,
1907, having for about three years survived his wife, who passed away in May,
1904. She bore the maiden name of Johanna Lynch and was a native of Boston,
Massachusetts.

Accompanying his parents from Wisconsin to Iowa in his boyhood days,
Michael H. Kelly continued his studies in the high school of Traer, Tama county,
to the age of nineteen years, when his text-books were put aside, after which he
divided his time between farming and school-teaching in Iowa. He taught mostly
in Winnebago county, although for one term he followed that profession in Black
Hawk county. He resolved, however, to engage in other professional labor and
,began the study of law in the office and under the direction of L. O. Hatch, of
Forest City, Iowa. He was admitted to the bar in October, 1898, and in February,
1900, opened a law office in Waterloo, where he practiced continuously until

92 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

October, 191 3, when he was appointed to his present position as postmaster. In
this office he is making as creditable a record as he did when he was filHng the
position of city attorney of Waterloo from March, 1910, until March, 1912. In
addition to his other interests and activities he is a director of the Fraternal
Bankers Reserve Insurance Company of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

On the 8th of October, 1907, at Shell Rock, Iowa, Mr. Kelly was united in
marriage to Miss Sadie A. Todd, a daughter of George Todd, deceased, and his
wife, Margaret ( Gleason) Todd. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have one child, Eleanor J.,
born February 22, 191 1. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic
church and Mr. Kelly holds membership with the Knights of Columbus and also
with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while his political allegiance is
given to the democratic party. He has made many friends during his residence
in Black Hawk county and is now numbered among the leading and representative
citizens of Waterloo.

JOHN C. HARTMAN.

John C. Hartman was born in Waterloo, Iowa, June 21, 1861, the son of
William H. and Dorinda Z. (Clark) Hartman. During the progress of his
early education in the schools of West Waterloo he worked in the Courier
office, performing the duties which fall to the lot of the printer's apprentice and
acquiring the knowledge of the newspaper game which was to stand him in
good stead later in life. In 1878, when he ended his school life, he entered
actively into the newspaper work with his father and has remained untiT the
present time with the one paper. The death of William H. Hartman in 1895
threw the editorial responsibility upon John C. Hartman and he became the
head of the W. H. Hartman Company, a position which he occupies at the
present time.

On November S, 1886, Mr. Hartman was married to Ida M. Hummel, who
was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, May 23. i860. Politically. Mr.
Hartman has followed in the footsteps of his father, remaining true to the
republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of the ]\lasonic orders of the
city, also the Knights of Pythias.

O. J. FULLERTON, M. D.

It would be difficult to determine the line of greatest usefulness in the life of
Dr. O. J. Fullerton, so active has he been in many fields of labor which have had
a direct bearing upon the welfare and progress of the community. He estab-
lished his home in Waterloo in 1884 and through the intervening period has en-
gaged in the practice of medicine and the conduct of business affairs of im-
portance, at the same time finding opportunity to cooperate in many movements
which have been elements in the general development of the city and in the ad-
vancement of its educational, social and moral welfare. As a physician and

JOHN C. HARTMAN

T\LUtN

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 95

surgeon he enjoys a reputation that has made him known throughout the state
and his standing in professional circles is indicated by the fact that he has been
honored by the Iowa Medical Association with the office of chairman of the
surgical section.

Dr. Fullerton is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in French
Creek valley, near Cambridge, on the 8th of March, 1849. He is descended in the
paternal line from Scotch ancestry and the family was founded in America by
his grandfather, who was born in Glasgow and was married in the north of Ireland
ere he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and took up his abode in Pennsyl-
vania. His son, David L. Fullerton, father of Dr. Fullerton, was born in the
Keystone state and as the years passed became recognized as a progressive and
prosperous farmer and an enterprising business man. He wedded Elizabeth
Stokes, who was born of German lineage.

Their son, Dr. Fullerton, spent his youthful days upon the home farm, early
assisting in the tasks of plowing, planting and harvesting and in other labors inci-
dent to the care of the crops. The winter months were devoted to the acquire-
ment of a district-school education and thus the years went by until he reached
the age of twenty. He began preparation for a professional career when, in 1872,
he entered upon the study of medicine at Miller, Pennsylvania. Five years later
he came to Iowa and entered the State University at Iowa City. He could not give
his undivided time to his college course because of the necessity of providing for
his own support, but he made the best possible use of his opportunities and was
graduated with the class of 1884. Throughout his professional career he has
continually advanced. He reads broadly, thinks deeply and carries his investiga-
tions far and wide into the realms of medical science. He went abroad for further
study in 1891 and pursued a special course in the University of Edinburgh, Scot-
land, and at Birmingham, England. In the meantime he had located for practice
in Waterloo, where he has made his home continuously since 1884.

In 1896, Dr. Fullerton established the Fullerton Electric Cure for chronic and
long-standing diseases and conducted the cure until 1903, when he resumed the
general practice of medicine and surgery after completing a post-graduate course
in New York city. As he has continued in the general practice of medicine he
has become more and more firmly established in public regard as an able physician
and surgeon and has contributed valuable papers to the literature of the pro-
fession, including an article on "Conservative Surgery of the Fingers," which
appeared in the Medical Record of 1886; "Chloroform Anaesthesia," read before
the Austin Flint Medical Society in 1891 ; his "President's Address," deHvered be-
fore the Cedar Valley Medical Society in 1892; and his "Surgical Report," given
in the transactions of the Iowa State Medical Society in 1892. The above indi-
cates something of his professional connections and in addition he is a member of
the Tri-State Medical Society.

As the years have gone on Dr. Fullerton has prospered as the result of his
professional skill, his business ability, his wise investments and judicious manage-
ment. He became one of the founders of the Security Savings Bank of Waterloo,
of which he was a director for a number of years, and he is now a stockholder in
the First National Bank. He has become heavily interested in real estate and is
one of the largest tax payers of the city. He erected the Fullerton Flats, at the

96 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

corner of Fourth and Elm streets, and from this property derives a substantial
annual income.

On the 22d of December, 1869, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Fullerton
and Miss Mary Isadore Calkins, a native of Pennsylvania, born January 6, 1849.
She was but fifty-three years of age when she passed away in Waterloo, November
9, 1902, her death being deeply regretted by her many friends as well as by her
immediate family because of her many lovable traits of character and kindly spirit.
There were three children bom of that marriage : Martha Inez, now the wife of
Dr. Theodore B. Askew, a specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat,
practicing at San Antonio, Texas ; Eda Irene, the wife of Charles H. McWilliams,
of Los Angeles, California; and Corliss Lee Marne, who died at the age of eleven
years. Ramona McWilliams is the Doctor's only grandchild. In 1904, Dr. Fuller-
ton was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Caroline Mann, of
Waterloo, who by her former marriage had two children : Charlotte Mann, who
is a graduate of Mount St. Joseph College of Dubuque and is now teaching music ;
and Elizabeth Mann, who will graduate from the same school with the class of
June, 191 5.

Dr. Fullerton is a member of the Methodist church and fraternally is a Mason,
having membership in the Knights Templar Commandery and in the Mystiv:
Shrine. His political allegiance is given the democratic party and he keeps well
versed on the questions and issues of the day. His public spirit has been again
and again manifested in his hearty cooperation with movements for the general
good. He assisted in purchasing Cedar River park and was one of the organizers
of the Waterloo Chautauqua Association, of which he served as superintendent
for three years and as president for six years. He is a most generous man, giving
with an open hand to charitable and benevolent projects. He has never regarded
the accumulation of wealth as the sole aim of his life. On the contrary, as he has
prospered he has aided freely with his means in the support of those measures
and projects which tend to advance the interest and welfare of the county and
city. He seems to readily recognize just what can be accomplished for the benefit
and upbuilding of Waterloo and he heartily cooperates in every movement toward
that end. The same sound judgment has characterized his efforts in business and
professional circles, placing him in the enviable position which he now occupies as
one of the successful residents of Black Hawk countv.

JOHN E. WILLIAMS.

In the year 1895 John E. Williams became a member of the bar of Black
Hawk county and has since been in active practice in Waterloo. But the borders
of the county do not limit his reputation, for he is widely known in the state as
an able and successful practitioner in the courts. He was born in Dane county.
Wisconsin, in 1866. his parents being Benjamin B. and Elizabeth (Struble)
Williams, who in the year 1869 became residents of Grundy county, Iowa.

John E. Williams was but three years of age at the time of the removal of
his parents to this state and in the schools of Grundy county he pursued his
education until graduated from the high school of Reinbeck. He afterward

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 97

entered Iowa State University, becoming a student in the law department, in
which he pursued the regular course until graduated with the LL.B. degree in
1889. The same year he was admitted to the bar and opened an office in Rein-
beck, where he continued in active practice for five years, or until 1895, when he
came to the growing city of Waterloo. Here he was first associated with the
law firm of Williams & Kern for two years and afterward practiced alone for
three years. He then became a member of the firm of Miller & Williams, which
connection was continued for four years. That relationship was then dissolved
and Mr. Williams was once more alone until January, 1912, when he became
senior partner in the present firm of Williams & Clark. He engages in the
general practice of law in all of the courts of the state and in the federal courts
and is a well known and representative member gf the Black Hawk County and
the Iowa State Bar Associations. His ability is pronounced and an excellent
presence, an earnest manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of
the law and the ability to accurately apply its principles make him an eft'ective
and successful advocate and insure him rank among the prominent members of
the profession in Black Hawk county. He served for one term as county
attorney when in Grundy county and for eight years has been city attorney of
Waterloo, making a most creditable record in both offices.

In 1 89 1 Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Maud G. Thompson,
of Grundy county, and they have become the parents of four children, Grace,
John E., Jr., Harry G. and Marion Elizabeth. Mr. Williams is a Royal Arch
Mason and also holds membership in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks
and with the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce
and Waterloo Club. Almost his entire life has been spent in this state, his resi-
dence in Iowa covering a period of forty-five years. In his relation to public
affairs he stands at all times for progress, improvement and advancement and
has lent his aid and influence to many measures for the general good.

JOHN T. BURKETT.

John T. Burkett is one of Waterloo's leading architects, as evidenced in the
large number of fine buildings which he has erected in this city. He has accurate
and comprehensive knowledge of the broad, scientific principles underlying his
profession and is as well thoroughly acquainted with every practical phase of
the business. He was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, on the 23d of
February, 1849, a son of David S. and Delilah (Townsend) Burkett, both of
whom died during the early childhood of their son, who was then reared to
manhood by his maternal grandfather, Isaac Townsend, on the farm where the
Vandergrift sheet steel mills now stand.

John T. Burkett was educated in the district schools and was early bound
out to the wheelwright's trade, serving a four years' apprenticeship, after which
he took a course in drafting in the old Iron City College of Pittsburgh. When
he had finished his studies in that institution he came to the middle west, in
1869. his intention being to go on through to the coast, but, having friends in
Waterloo and Independence, he stopped off in Iowa for a visit. At that time the

98 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

work of building the Independence Mill was just begun. This was a big mill
for those days, sixty-five by one hundred and twelve feet, four stories in height
and built of brick. Mr. Burkett was persuaded to remain and become one of the
building force and for three years his knowledge of the millwright's trade con-
tributed to the erection of one of the best mills in the west. Subsequently he
became identified with the Cedar Valley Manufacturing Company, engaged in
the manufacture of sashes, doors and blinds, and was connected therewith for
sixteen or seventeen years. This company was organized by Mr. Burkett and
Stephen Salisbury and subsequently they established a bank and store fixture
department of the business, which became a most important feature of their
industry. They conducted their interests with growing success until about 1902,
when they sold out to the Nauman Company, since which time Mr. Burkett has
given his entire attention to general architectural work, maintaining an otifice in
the Lafayette building. Among the principal buildings which he has erected
are the Columbia block, the Gasser buildings, three in number, the Waterloo
Fruit & Commission Company building, the Fowler \Miolesale Grocery house,
the city hall, the Parsons building, the Julian flats, the Eddy block, the Brevort
Hotel, the Martin Hotel and the residence of George Miller. Many of the
earlier store buildings on Fourth street were also designed and built by him.

In 1873 ^Ir. Burkett was united in marriage to J\Iiss Justine H. Wattells, of
Independence, Iowa, and to them have been born two children, ijoth, however,
now deceased. Mr. Burkett is a member of Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, A, F. &
A. M.; Tabernacle Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M. ; Ascalon Commandery, No. 25,
K. T. ; and El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.. of Cedar Rapids. He likewise
holds membership in the Waterloo Commercial Club and the Town Criers Club
and is one of the well known and representative business men of the city. Since
the time when he entered upon his apprenticeship in the east, industry has been
his watchword and indefatigable industry has enabled him to wrest success from
the hands of fate. Obstacles and difliculties have been overcome by persistent,
determined efifort and through the faithful performance of each day's duties he
has found encouragement and inspiration for the labors of the following day
Thus he has gone on from one thing to another of greater importance and his
eiTorts have been crowned with a gratifying measure of prosperity.

CHARLES M. VAN VLECK.

This is an age of systemization. Not only individual interests are carefully
systematized, but all public afifairs, because of a recognition of the greater effi-
ciency and force obtained thereby. There is no city of any importance which
does not today have a commercial club formed of the leading business men in an
organized eiTort to promote the business interests and uphold the civic welfare
of the community. Charles M. Van Vleck is today secretary of the Commercial
Club and Board of Trade of W'aterloo and in this connection is doing most
splendid work to further the welfare of his city. He is a young man full of
energy, determination, ambition and resourcefulness. He was born in Waterloo
in 1888, a son of Lawrence Van Vleck of this city, whose birth occurred in the

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 99

state of New York. He came when a young man to Waterloo about thirty years
ago and for twenty-six years was connected with the IlHnois Central Railroad
Company but is now living retired. Not only has he been active in business but
also in public affairs and for several years was deputy labor commissioner of
Iowa. He was married in Waterloo to Miss Mary Heyer, of this city.

Their son, Charles M. Van Vleck, spending his youthful days under the
parental roof, attended the public schools and was graduated from the East
Waterloo high school with the class of 1906. He afterward entered the National
Law School at Washington, D. C, and won his LL.B. degree upon graduation
with the class of 1910. During the time that he was pursuing his law studies he
was also in the employ of the government in connection with the Interstate Com-
merce Commission and thus provided for the expenses of his law course. Fol-
lowing his graduation he returned to Waterloo and became connected with the
Waterloo Reporter, remaining on that paper for three years, at the end of which
time he accepted his present position as secretary of the Commercial Club and
Board of Trade. He thoroughly understands the purposes of his work and his
efforts to exploit Waterloo's advantages and opportunities have been far-reaching
and beneficial.

On the 4th of June, 191 3, Mr. V^an Vleck was united in marriage to Miss
Lula Mahanke, of Parkersburg, Iowa, and they have one son, Robert Charles.
The parents are members of the First Presbyterian church of Waterloo and Mr.
Van Vleck also holds membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks
and Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M., of which he is the junior warden.
He is likewise a member of the Town Criers Club and is prominent and popular
in the social and business circles of his city. Alert and energetic, he is an ex-
ponent of the spirit of the age and typifies in his life that enterprise which has
been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country.

J. E. JOHNSON.

The number of productive industries which have sprung up in Waterloo in
the last two or three decades has largely been the means of bringing about the
city's rapid and substantial growth, whereby it has become one of the metropoli-
tan centers of the state. In this connection J. E. Johnson is well known as the
secretary and treasurer of the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company. For four-
teen years he has here resided and not only has he won a merited reputation in
business circles but has also become a recognized factor in advancing the public
good through his indorsement and support of many valuable civic measures.

A native of Nebraska, Mr. Johnson was born in Omaha in 1864 and spent
the period of his boyhood and youth there. He supplemented a public-school
course by study in Cornell College of Mount Vernon, Iowa, from which he was
graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He afterward entered Boston
University and there won the S. T. D. degree, after which he had a year of
special study in sociology in Harvard University. Lie also received the honorary
degree of D. D. from Cornell College in June, 1914. He has been a minister
in the regular service of the church since 1892. His first charge was at Brockton,

704487

100 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

]\Iassacliusetts, after which he was called to Xiantic, Connecticut. He tlien
accepted the pastorate of the First Methodist Episcopal church of this city and
yet gives much time and earnest thought to the upbuilding of the cause of
Christianity. Fie entered industrial circles when, in November, 1907, he became
connected with the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company, of which he is now the
secretary and treasurer. He thus has voice in its management and control and
his practical opinions are a valuable asset.

In 1895 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Martha Cadwallader,
a daughter of Chester Cadwallader, of Waterloo, and to them have been born
two sons and a daughter, Harold E., Paul E. and Alargaret E. Mr. Johnson is a
member of the Masonic fraternity and is in hearty sympathy with the beneficent
purpose of the craft. His deep interest in the cause of education is manifest in
the fact that he is serving on the board of trustees of Cornell College and his
humanitarian spirit finds expression in his service as a member of the board of
directors of the Associated Charities. He likewise belongs to the Town Criers
Club, an organization for the upbuilding of the city and the extension of its
Imsiness connections. He is one of the leading residents of W^aterloo, active
in all projects for the betterment and advancement of the city along material,
intellectual, social and moral lines. He has a hand constantly outreaching to aid
his fellow travelers on life's journey ; he is generous to the needy, sympathetic
to those in distress and is constantly teaching by example as well as precept
those views of life which recognize the opportunities of the individual and his
duties and obligations toward his fellowmen.

VELLAS L. SIMMONS.

\ ellas L. Simmons is now the oldest photographer in Waterloo in years of
continuous connection with the business. He is accorded a liberal patronage and
he employs the latest improved processes and methods in photographic portraiture.
He was born in Baldwinsville, New York, January i, 1855, a son of Leonard j.
and Cordelia (Bishop) Simmons, both of whom were natives of the state of
New York. The father was always a farmer and stockman and in the year 1857
came wuth his family to the middle west, settling at Nora, Jo Daviess county,
Illinois, where he continued to reside until his death about the year 1892. The
mother continued to make her home in Jo Daviess county until 1908, and then
came to Waterloo to live with her son, Amelias L., with whom she continued until
she was called to her final rest on the 20th of May, 1914.

Vellas L. Simmons was the second in order of birth in a family of four chil-
dren and was only two years of age at the time of the removal of the family to
Illinois. He pursued his early education in the country schools of Jo Daviess
county and afterward attended high school at Warren, Illinois. When eighteen
years of age he took up the study of photography and almost immediately began
earning a salary. He was connected with a photographic studio at Lena, Illinois,
where he remained for five years and at the end of that time went to West
Liberty, Iowa, where he conducted a studio for a year. He then returned to
Illinois, settling at Mendota, where he was employed in the line of his chosen

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 101

vocation until 1883, when he came to Waterloo and purchased the business of
J. P. King. He has since maintained his studio here and is now the oldest
photographer in Waterloo in years of continuous connection with the business
in this city. He devotes his entire time to the photographic art and his wife,
who is also an experienced photographer, always assists him.

It was on the loth of August, 1880, that Mr. Simmons was united in marriage
to Miss Emma J. Letteer, who was born in Proctorville, Pennsylvania, a daughter
of Sidney and Sarah (Wilson) Letteer, who were likewise natives of the Key-
stone state. The father there learned the tailor's trade in early life and followed
that pursuit for many years. He was born in 1813 and his death occurred in
1888, while his wife, who was born in 181 5, passed away in 1890. They came to
the west in 1866, settling first at Sublette, Illinois, and in 1883 they arrived in
Waterloo, where their remaining days were passed. In this city the father lived
retired from business, nor did he ever aspire to public office. He and his wife
enjoyed the confidence and good-will of all who knew them and their circle of
friends was an extensive one. Mrs. Simmons was the seventh in order of birth
in a family of eight children and by her marriage has become the mother of two
children. Charles W is a printer who is engaged in business under the name of
the Stuart Simmons Press at West Waterloo. He married Miss Cherry Colby,
who was born in W^aterloo, and they have two children, Charles V. and LeRoy.
The daughter, Eva May, is the widow of Albert J. Abrams, who was formerly a
resident of Dallas, Texas. He died April 30. 1914, and his widow, with their
daughter, Eva Lulu, is now residing with Mr. and Mrs. Simmons.

Mr. Simmons exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and
measures of the republican party but is without aspiration for office. He be-
longs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, to the Mystic Toilers and the
Bankers Life Association of Des Moines. He is well known in this city, where
he has resided for almost a third of a century. He does excellent work in
photographic portraiture but makes a special feature of commercial work and
the walls of his studio are adorned with various fine specimens of his skill in
this connection.

FRED W. POWERS, M. D.

Dr. Fred \\'. Powers, in former years actively, successfully and extensively
engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery has now retired from that
professional field and devotes his energies to financial afTairs as president of
the Black Hawk National Bank of Waterloo, one of the largest and most im-
portant moneyed institutions of the city. He was born in Benton county, Iowa.
in 1868, and supplemented his public-school education by study at Cornell Col-
lege of Mount Vernon, Iowa, thus gaining a broad literary learning to serve as
a foundation upon which to build the superstructure of his professional training.
Thinking to make the practice of medicine a life work, he entered the Univer-
sity of Iowa and completed a course in its medical department with the class of
1889. For twenty years he was one of the leading practitioners of Grundy and
Black Hawk counties, spending thirteen years in Reinbeck and seven years in

102 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Waterloo. His prominence in his profession is indicated in the fact that he
served as president of the Iowa state board of health and of the Iowa state board
of medical examiners. He kept in close touch with the progress of his profession
while in active practice, was most careful in the diagnosis of his cases and was
seldom if ever at fault in foretelling the outcome of disease.

Dr. Powers performed his duties with a sense of conscientious obligation,
but in 1909 he retired from the active practice of medicine to become active vice
president of the Black Hawk National Bank, of which he is now the president.
As chief executive officer he carefully directs the interests of the institution,
ever recognizing the fact that that bank is most worthy of patronage which most
carefully safeguards the interests of its depositors. His progressiveness is
tempered by conservatism and the even balance maintained constitutes a potent
force in the growing success of the bank, which is today one of the largest
financial institutions of Waterloo. It was organized in 1903 and from the be-
ginning has enjoyed a successful existence. Dr. Powers is also vice president
of the Rice Savings Bank of Smithland, Iowa, and he is a member of the board
of directors of the Iowa Life Insurance Company and its medical director.

In 1889 occurred the marriage of Dr. Powers and Miss Pearl E. Thompson,
of Reinbeck, by whom he has three children, Gladys Beulah. Evangeline and
Fanchon Winifred. At the time of the Spanish- American war Dr. Powers was
commissioned colonel by Governor Shaw for medical service at Jacksonville.
He is a member of the Waterloo lodge of the Elks, also the Knights of Pythias,
the Chamber of Commerce, the Waterloo Club, the Town Criers Club and the
Country and Golf Club. He still retains his membership in the medical societies
and his interest in sanitary and public health affairs. His acquaintance is wide
and favorable. Sociability and unfeigned cordiality have made him popular
among those with whom he has come in contact and ability has placed him in the
front rank among the representative citizens of Waterloo. He has gained suc-
cess, yet it alone has not been the goal for which he has striven, for he belongs
to that class of representative American citizens who promote the general pros-
perity while advancing individual interests.

FRED S. PETTIT.

Fred S. Pettit, who is ably filling the responsible position of clerk of the district
court of Black Hawk county, entered upon the duties of that ofifice on the ist of
April, 1912, having been appointed to fill out an unexpired term, and at the
November election of the same year he was chosen by popular suffrage to fill
the ofifice for a term of two years and was again chosen in November, 1914, when
he polled the largest vote of the election. Those who have watched his course in
office speak of him in terms of high commendation.

Mr. Pettit is a native of Long Island, his birth having occurred at Flushing
on the 31st of July, 1875, his parents being Gold S. and Julia A^ (Weeks) Pettit,
who came to Iowa when their son Fred was a boy, settling at Cedar Rapids. In
that city Fred S. Pettit was reared and educated, mastering the branches of
learning taught in the public schools. In the spring of 1903 he arrived in Waterloo

FKED S. PETTJT

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 105

and on the ist of May, 1904, he became deputy clerk of the district court, re-
maining in that position until he was appointed clerk of the court, as previously
mentioned, his experience as deputy well qualifying him for the onerous duties
which devolved upon him in his promotion. He has always been prominently
identified with the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of
franchise and he does everything in his power to legitimately promote its growth
and insure its success, for he believes firmly in its principles as factors in good
government.

Aside from politics Mr. Pettit is deeply interested in the welfare of his city
and puts forth effective effort for advancing its interests, being an active member
of the Commercial Club and Chamber of Commerce of Waterloo. He was chair-
man of the committee appointed by the Commercial Club and Chamber of Com-
merce to participate in the opening of the Russell-Lamson Hotel, the finest hotel
in the state of Iowa, and he has been actively connected with many projects which
have had to do with the welfare and upbuilding of the city and with the promotion
of its civic standards.

On the 6th of November, 1901, Mr. Pettit was married to Miss Josephine
Buchanan, of Cedar Rapids, and they have one child, Saxton B. The parents are
members of the Westminster Presbyterian church, are active workers in its behalf
and generous in its support. Along more strictly social and fraternal lines his
connections are with the Knights of Pythias and with the Town Criers Club.
Through the eleven years of his residence in Waterloo he has become widely and
favorably known and today numbers many of the best citizens among his warm
friends.

C. H. NAUMAN.

Success is not a matter of genius, as held by some, but is rather the outcome
of clear judgment, experience and indefatigable energy — a fact which has been
again and again demonstrated in the lives of prosperous men, men who have
risen from humble positions in the business world to places of prominence and
prosperity. Such has been the record of C. H. Nauman, president of the Nauman
Company of Waterloo, manufacturers of bank and store fixtures, sashes, doors
and house trimmings. He is a man of well balanced business capacities and
powers, capable of mature judgment concerning his opportunities and those
things which go to make up life's contacts and experiences.

Mr. Nauman was born in Waterloo in 1862, pursued his education in the
schools of this city and also took a commercial course at Dubuque. He was but
two years of age when, in 1864, his father, Henry Nauman, formed a partner-
ship with George P. Beck under the firm style of Beck & Nauman and established
the business which is now being conducted by the corporation of which C. H.
Nauman is the president. It was in 1856 that the father came to Waterloo, at
which period there were no railroads in the town. He had to haul all the
material used in the building of his house from Dubuque. In the years which
followed he became more and more actively and prominently connected with
the business interests of his adopted city. The firm which was established in

V'Ol. II— 6

106 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

1864 engaged in the manufacture of sashes, doors and mill work, and from his
youth C. H. Nauman was in the shops and became familiar with every branch
of the business, both in principle and detail. He completed his course in com-
mercial college when about twenty-one years of age. At about the same time
the foreman of the mill gave up his position, after which C. H. Nauman, to-
gether with the pattern maker, had charge of the work. During that winter
they got out all of the material for the Irving House and when that task was
accomplished the firm retained C. H. Nauman as its foreman. Pie has con-
tinuously been identified with the business and its development since that day.

The papers of incorporation were taken out about 1886 or 1887 under the
style of the Daniel & Nauman Company. Following the death of Mr. Daniel
some time later the firm name was changed to the Beck, Nauman & Watts Com-
pany and in 1899 ^he Nauman brothers purchased the interests of all the other
stockholders and the style was changed to the Nauman Company, of which the
officers are : C. H. Nauman, president ; and G. W. Nauman, treasurer. They
have a large plant, which includes buildings on all four corners of Cedar street
and Park avenue. They manufacture drug, bank and store fixtures, sashes and
doors and all kinds of house trimmings and they employ an average of eighty
men. Their output, which is now extensive, is widely shipped and the business
is today one of the foremost productive industries of the city. Mr. Nauman is
active in its management and control and has formulated many of the plans that
have been carried forward to successful completion for the enlargement and-
substantial development of the business.

On the 1st of August, 1889, Mr. Nauman was married to Miss Katie A'efth,
of Waterloo, and they have become parents of two daughters, Helen and Marie.
Mr. Nauman is a member of Helmet Lodge, K. P., of Waterloo, and is well
known and popular in that organization. Fie cooperates in many movements
for the public good, but his business interests claim the greater part of his time
and attention, and he has been an active factor in promoting one of the oldest
and most substantial manufacturing plants of the city.

G. W. NAUMAN.

G. W. Nauman is the treasurer of the Nauman Company, which owns and
controls the oldest manufacturing plant of Waterloo — a business devoted to the
manufacture of store and bank fixtures, sashes and doors. Mr. Nauman was
born in Waterloo in 1869 and his youthful experiences were such as usually fall
to the lot of the lad who divides his time between the work of the schoolroom,
the pleasures of the playground and such duties as are assigned him by parental
authority. Flis father had embarked in business in Waterloo in 1864 and founded
the enterprise which is now conducted under the name of the Nauman Com-
pany. From early youth G. W. Nauman has been associated with the under-
taking and as the years have gone on has become more and more active in its
management and control. Eventually the interests of the house were taken over
by the present proprietors, who have continued the business under the name of
the Nauman Company. The plant is well equipped with the latest improved

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 107

niachintry and there is every facility to promote the work and add to the excel-
lence of the quality.

In 1895 Mr. Nauman was joined in wedlock to Miss Wilda Holman, of
Waterloo, and they have one daughter, Josephine. Mr. Nauman has membership
with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and in Masonry has advanced in
the York Rite to the rank of Knight Templar in the command.ery. In business
connections he enjoys a most enviable reputation. He has been trained insist-
ently and carefully in the business with which he is connected and knows
thoroughly every phase thereof. He has studied closely its opportunities and
Ijy straightforward methods has increased its patronage. Energy and determina-
tion have been the salient features in his advancement and his course is one
which may well be followed by others.

FRANK T. BENTLEY.

In a record of the representative residents of Black Hawk county it is im-
perative that mention be made of Frank T. Bentley, who for three terms or six
years has filled the position of county treasurer and at fhe same time is well
known in business circles as manager of the Bentley Brothers Bond & Insurance
Company. He is a man of determined purpose, carrying forward to successful
completion whatever he undertakes, and at all times his actions have measured
up to high standards of manhood and citizenship.

Mr. Bentley was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1871 and through the
period of his youth was a pupil in the public schools there. On the ist of Janu-
.ary, 1894, he arrived in Waterloo and soon afterward became connected with
the United States Express Company, which he represented for five years. On
the expiration of that period he was called to public office, having been appointed
deputy county recorder, in which position he remained for one year. He after-
ward spent nine years in the position of deputy treasurer and at the end of that
time was elected treasurer. That he proved capable was but the logical result
of his previous training in the office and that he has been twice reelected was but
natural owing to the promptness and capability with which he has discharged
his duties. Abraham Lincoln once said: "You can fool all of the people some of
the time and some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the
people all of the time," "and when a man is again and again chosen for office it is
a self-evident fact that he is a man of worth and that his worth is widely recog-
nized. This is certainly indicated in Mr. Bentley's fifteen years' connection with
the office of county treasurer. In politics he has always been a stalwart repub-
lican, earnest and unfaltering in his svipport of the party, and as the years have
gone on his influence has been felt as a potent force in attaining republican
successes.

An equally creditable record has been made by Mr. Bentley in his business
connections. He is a member of the Bentley Brothers Bond & Insurance Com-
])any, of which he is the manager, and he is also one of the directors of the
Perpetual Building & Loan Association.

In January, 1895, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bentley and Miss
Lottie M. Jackson, a native of Ohio, and they have become the parents of two

108 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

daughters, Lucile K. and Eleanor T. The family attend the First Presbyterian
church, of which Mr. Bentley is an earnest and devoted member. He is serving
as a member of the session and cooperates in movements which lead to the up-
building of the church and the extension of its power and influence. He belongs
also to the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade and seeks the welfare
and upbuilding of the city, its improvement along various lines and the upbuild-
ing of its civic standards. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias and he also
belongs to the Town Criers Club. During the period of his residence in
Waterloo, covering twenty years, he has become widely known and high regard
is everywhere entertained for him by those with whom he has become associated
through political, business or social connections.

ALFRED W. MULLAN.

Alfred W. Mullan, the present efficient city attorney of Waterloo, was bom
in the city which is still his home, a son of Judge C. W. Mullan, of whom ex-
tended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. At the usual age Alfred W.
Mullan began his education in the public schools and passed through consecutive
grades until graduated from the high school with the class of 1901. He after-
ward attended Grinnell College at Grinnell, Iowa, and then in preparation for the
practice of law entered the University of Iowa as a law student and won his
LL. B. degree upon graduation with the class of 1908. The same year he was
admitted to the Iowa bar and has since practiced law in Waterloo with the
exception of two or three years spent in traveling. There is no question as to
his ability. He is one of the youngest but also one of the most brilliant lawyers
of Waterloo and his capability was recognized in his election to the office of city
attorney in 1914. He is a member of the State Bar Association and his fellow
members of the bar recognize his power and resourcefulness. He was gifted by
nature with strong mentality and its development was wisely directed. He also
keeps in touch with questions of general interest and thus is broadening the
foundation upon which his success in practice is built.

FRANK P. KEANE.

Frank P. Keane, an able attorney at law of Waterloo, has here practiced his
profession continuously for the past five years and is accorded an extensive and
gratifying clientage. His birth occurred in Buchanan county, Iowa, on the 13th
of June, i88t, his parents being John and Ellen (Considine) Keane, the former
a native of Ireland and the latter of Iowa. In 1873, on reaching his majority,
John Keane crossed the Atlantic to the L'nited States, locating first in Fitchburg,
Massachusetts, but subsequently removing to Chicago, Illinois. In 1877 he came
west to Iowa, taking up his abode in Buchanan county, where he was married
soon afterward and settled down to farming. In 1885 he removed to Black
Hawk county, purchasing land in Lester township, where he still makes his home.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 109

The period of his residence here now covers about three decades and he is
well known and highly esteemed as a representative citizen and prosperous agri-
culturist.

Frank P. Keane acquired his early education in the country schools and con-
tinued his studies in St. Joseph's College of Ditbuque and later in Drake Uni-
versity. Subsequently he prepared for a professional career in the College of
Law of the State University of Iowa at Iowa City and won the degree of LL.B.
in 1909. In June of that year he was admitted to the Iowa state bar and located
for practice in Waterloo, opening offices in the Lafayette building. Since the
completion of the First National Bank building, however, he has maintained his
offices there. The zeal with which he has devoted his .energies to his profession,
the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients and an assiduous and
unrelaxing attention to all the details of his cases, have brought him a large
business and made him very successful in its conduct.

In 1910 Mr. Keane was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Purtell, of
Chicago, Illinois, by whom he has two children, Helen I. and Francis E. Mr.
Keane gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is identified fra-
ternally with the Knights of Columbus, the Foresters, the Modern Woodmen
of America, the Royal Arcanum and the Loyal Order of Moose. Both he
and his wife are devout communicants of the Catholic church.

P. J. MARTIN.

P. J. Martin is engaged in the real-estate business in Waterloo and his
efforts in that direction have not only been a source of individual profit but also
of the city's advancement and improvement. He it was who instituted the first
lot sale on the installment plan in Waterloo, and something of the extent of his
business is indicated in the fact that he has sold more than one thousand lots in
the city. His birth occurred in Hardin county, Iowa, in i860. He was reared
upon a farm there with the usual experiences that fall to the lot of the country-
bred boy who divides his time between the work of the fields and the duties of
the schoolroom. He remained on the old homestead until twenty-one years
of age and then began learning telegraphy. He mastered the business and for
thirteen years was employed as an operator by the Chicago & Northwestern
and the Iowa Central Railroad Companies. On the expiration of that period
he turned his attention to the drug business, conducting a store at Lake City,
Iowa, and at other points for about four years.

In 1897 ^^- Martin came to W^aterloo, where he opened a real-estate office
and has since been actively and prominently engaged in that fine of business,
buying, selling and platting property. He originated the idea of selling lots on
the installment plan, thus disposing of the Grand Mew addition in 1905. This
has proved such a popular and excellent method of disposing of realty that he
has now sold more than one thousand lots, enabling many a man to obtain a
home who could not have done so if full cash payment had been required. He
also handles farm property and Texas lands and has negotiated many important
realty transfers in that state as well as in Iowa. Mr. Martin has extended his

110 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

efforts into other fields and is now tinancially interested in a number of im-
portant enterprises in Waterloo.

In 1884 Mr. Martin was united in marriage to ^liss Jessie L. Ayres, of
Eldora, Iowa, by whom he has three children, namely: Blanche I., Gladys W.
and Dorothy M. The parents hold membership in the Universalist church and
Mr. Martin is a member of the Town Criers Club. He belongs to the Knights
of Pythias lodge and is a very prominent Mason, connected with all the dif-
ferent bodies of both the York and Scottish Rites, while upon him has been
conferred the honorary thirty-third degree. His prominence in the order is
indicated in the fact that he was grand master of the grand lodge of Iowa. Ik-
is also an active factor in politics and has filled a number of local ofifices, in-
cluding that of mayor, in which he served for four years, from 1901 until 1905,
giving to the city a businesslike and public-spirited administration characterized
by advancement and improvement along many lines. The steps in his orderly
progression are easily discernible, for from the outset of his career he has
gradually worked his way upward, proving his ability in many ways. He is
today regarded as a forceful and resourceful business man of Waterloo and one
whose efforts have been highly beneficial along many lines.

CLAYTON E. BRONSON.

Wide-awake, alert, enterprising and at all times watchful of opportunities,
Clayton E. Bronson has gained a creditable position in insurance circles, is also
known as one of the leaders of the republican party in Black Hawk county and
was elected state representative in November, 19 14. He was born at Raymond,
in this county, September i, 1881. a son of Lyman H. and Frances (Butterfield )
Bronson. The mother, who w-as a native of New York, passed away in Novem-
ber, 191 2. The father, w^ho survives, is a native of Connecticut and in 1858
took up his abode in Raymond, Black Hawk county, where he resided until
after the outbreak of the Civil Avar, when he enlisted at Waterloo in 1863 as a
member of the First Iowa Cavalry, remaining at the front until the close of
hostilities and rendering valiant aid to the cause which he espoused. He voted
for Abraham Lincoln in i860 and has always been a stanch republican, never
failing to vote for each presidential candidate of the party since that time save
in 1864, when he was on the field of battle. Folio v;ing his return at the close
of the war he became identified with agricultural interests in Black Hawk
county and was also president for many years of the Black Hawk County
Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In 1900 he came to Waterloo, where he
established his present insurance business. He has now resided in this county
for more than a half century and has been an interested witness of its con-
tinued growth and development. He has always taken an active interest in
politics and done considerable to shape the history of the county along that
line, yet he has never been an ofifice seeker.

His son, Clayton E. Bronson, pursued a public-school education, which he
completed by graduation from the East Waterloo high school with the class of
1903. He afterward became associated with his father in the insurance busi-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 111

ness under the firm style of L. H. Bronson & Son, conducting a general insur-
ance business. This is one of the oldest insurance firms in the city, the business
having been established on the ist of January, 1900, by the senior partner. The
insurance which they write annually amounts to a large figure, for they have
gained an extensive clientage by reason of their honorable business methods,
their well directed persistency and the fact that they represent a number of the
most substantial old line companies. Aside from that business Clayton E.
Bronson is also interested in several manufacturing enterprises and other busi-
ness concerns of Waterloo and his sound judgment and keen sagacity constitute
elements in their continued success. He is likewise interested in real estate in
East Waterloo, having made investments from time to time until he is the owner
of considerable property.

On the 6th of October, 19 10, Mr. Bronson was united in marriage to Miss
Nina Wangler. a daughter of R. C. Wangler, of Waterloo. . They have one
daughter, Esther Jean. Mr. Bronson and his family are widely and favorably
known in the city where they reside. He is a member of the Town Criers
Club, of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, of the Commercial Club and
Board of Trade — associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests
and activities. He has always been deeply interested in politics from his boy-
hood days, giving his political support to the republican party, but he was for
the first time a candidate for office, when in November, 1914, he was elected
representative in the state legislature. Whether in office or out of it, he is
loyal to the best interests of his community and belongs to that class of repre-
sentative men who are constantly pushing forward the wheels of progress.

WALTER A. BRYANT, Jr.

Walter A. Bryant, Jr., is the secretary of the Bryant Asphalt Pavement
Company, controlling one of the chief industrial enterprises of Black Hawk
county. He is a man of determined purpose, allowing no obstacles or difficulties
to bar his path if they can be overcome by persistent, earnest and honorable
efifort. Energy has been the key that has unlocked for him the portals of suc-
cess, and, stepping over the threshold, he has found broader opportunities which
he is now wisely utilizing.

A native of Illinois, Mr. Bryant came to Iowa when his parents removed to
Cedar Falls, at which time he was a lad of eight years. His youthful days were
there spent and the joys and pleasures of boyhood divided his time with the
work of the schoolroom. He was comparatively young when he put aside his
text-books and began to earn his living as an employe of the Burlington, Cedar
Rapids & Northern Railroad, remaining in active connection with that company
for five years. He then resigned his position and turned his attention to the
lumber business, in which he engaged at Cedar Falls in partnership with his
father. The new enterprise prospered from the beginning and W. A. Bryant, Jr.,
continued in active connection therewith for fourteen years, or until 1907, in
which year the Bryant Asphalt Pavement Company was organized and incor-
porated with a capital stock of two hundred thousand dollars. Of this company.

112 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

W. A. Bryant, Sr., living at Cedar Falls, is now the president, with P. L. Bryant
as vice president, W. A. Bryant, Jr., as secretary and G. E. Rolston as treasurer.
They concentrate their energies largely upon asphalt paving and since the organ-
ization of the company they have laid two million yards of asphalt pavement in
various cities, over a half million yards being in Waterloo. There is no finer
asphalt pavement to be found m any city in the country and Waterloo may well
be proud of her public highways.

Mr. Bryant is also interested in the W\ A. Bryant & Sons Company, dealers
in coal and building materials, and is also a stockholder in the Bryant Motor
Car Company. The firms with which he is connected have advanced steadily
toward success. It is probable that all of the days in his career have not been
equally bright but he possesses the strong purpose and firm determination that
win success through honorable eflort and throughout his entire career he has
ever followed a course which he believed to be right between himself and his
fellowmen.

Mr. Bryant has fraternal relations with the Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks and is identified with the Chamber of Commerce and the Waterloo Club
and also with the Town Criers Club. His nature is by no means self-centered
but reaches out in sympathetic and helpful interest to many movements for the
world's good and his public spirit finds many tangible proofs in his relation to
the community.

MAJOR WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.

Major William Cullen Bryant, long an honored and respected citizen of Cedar
Falls, where for an extended period he engaged in the drug business, was born
in Gilbertsville, New York, April 12, 1841, a son of John and Harriet C. (Gilbert)
Bryant, the former a native of Chesterfield, Massachusetts, and the latter of
England. The parents died during the early boyhood of their son, William Cullen.
after which he resided with an older sister and her husband, who removed west-
ward to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, when Mr. Bryant was a little lad of nine years. He
was there living at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war and his patriotic
spirit was aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union. Accord-
ingly he enlisted at Oshkosh as a member of Company E, Second Wisconsin
Regiment, which became a part of the famous "Iron" Brigade. After remaining
for a time at the front he obtained a commission as a lieutenant in a regiment of
colored troops and ultimately was promoted to the rank of captain, while on the
13th of March, 1865, he was advanced to the rank of major. He remained for
six years in the service, for after the cessation of hostilities, which resulted in
the preservation of the Union, he served on the frontier in Texas for a time.
It was there that he contracted a severe cold which brought on physical conditions
that ultimately terminated his life. Having remained in the service for two years
after the close of the war he was honorably discharged and mustered out in
January, 1867, at Baltimore, Maryland.

Major Bryant then came to Iowa and engaged in the drug business in Des
Moines, remaining there for a year or two. On the expiration of that period he

MAJOR WILLIAM' C. BRYANT

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 115

came to Cedar Falls, where he established a drug store, which he conducted with
growing success until his health failed him and he was thereafter compelled to
spend a large part of his time in the south. Accordingly he disposed of his busi-
ness and went to Florida, where he remained for several months during each
year, but he always regarded Cedar Falls as his home and continued to maintain
a residence here until his death, which occurred on the 6th of November, 1905.
He became the owner of considerable real estate and his sound business judgment
was shown in his judicious investments in property. He was also a stockholder
in local banks and his energy, enterprise and sagacity brought him substantial
success in business, so that he left his wife in very comfortable financial cir-
cumstances.

It was in June, 1868, that Major Bryant was united' in marriage to Miss Vesta
A. Bryant, the only child of Dr. Francis A. and Mary M. (Harmon) Bryant.
Major Bryant held membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen and
in the Grand Army of the Republic, and Mrs. Bryant is now a member of the
Woman's Relief Corps. He was a very prominent, helpful and active member
of the Congregational church, held all of the offices in the church and for twenty
years was superintendent of the Sunday school, his efforts constituting a vital
force in the moral progress and development of the community in which jie made
his home. He was a man highly esteemed wherever known and most of all
where he was best known. His life record was one which would bear the closest
investigation and scrutiny and there was not a single esoteric chapter in his
history. He was constantly doing good to others and was ever reaching out a
helping hand to assist a fellow traveler on life's journey.

O. S. LAMB.

In railway circles O. S. Lamb is widely known, being superintendent of the
Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Railway Company. The steps in his orderly
progression are easily discernible. He has steadily advanced since starting out
on his own account, eventually reaching the position of trust and responsibility
that he now occupies.

He was born in Vernon county, Wisconsin, in 1874, and at the age of ten
years, his parents moved to South Dakota, where his father engaged in farming.
In 1891, his parents moved to Lmcoln, Nebraska, where he attended the Normal
University, pursuing a four-year course. At the end of that time, he became
an employe of the Burlington Railway at Flavelock, Nebraska, learning the
machinist's trade. He afterward was in the employ of dififerent railways in
various parts of the country, until 1905, when he went to Oelwein, Iowa, where
he became connected with the Chicago Great Western Railroad, remaining in
the shops at that point until the spring of 1907, when he came to Waterloo,
where he was made foreman in the shops of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls &
Northern Railway Company. Subsequently he was promoted to the position of
master mechanic, and afterwards was advanced to the position of superintendent
of the road. His long experience, covering many lines of railroad work, had
well qualified him for the onerous duties which devolved upon him. He has

116 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

studied every phase of the business with which he has had to do and is thus
capable of directing the men who serve under him. He is today regarded as
most efficient in railroad circles with which he has been connected.

At one time, he was air-brake inspector for the Mexican Central Railroad,
with headquarters at Mexico City, and during the period of the Spanish-
American War, he entered the service of the government, enlisting as a member
of Company I, First Nebraska Volunteer Regiment, on the i8th day of June,
1898. He remained with that command until honorably discharged at San Fran-
cisco, California, on the 23d of August, 1899. During his service he was with
the 8th Army Corps in the Philippine islands and during that period, partici-
pated in sixteen engagements. His military record is a most creditable one and
constitutes an interesting chapter in his life history, having brought him many
new experiences.

Following his return from the Philippine islands, Mr. Lamb was married in
1899 ^o Miss Katie Cuddy, of Lincoln, Nebraska. They have become the par-
ents of two children, Kathryn and Virginia. Mr. Lamb is a Mason and a
member of the Eastern .Star. He is likewise a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, and a member of the Commercial Club and Board of
Trade. He has thus entered into active connection with organizations which
are seeking to upbuild the city, extend its trade relations and advance its im-
provement in many ways.

FRANK I. EIGHMEY.

Throughout his business career Frank J. Eighmey has been connected with
banking interests and has risen from the humble position of messenger to that
of president of the First National Bank of Waterloo. He is fortunate in that
he possesses character and ability which inspire confidence in others, and the
simple weight of his character and ability has carried him into important busi-
ness relations. Iowa claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred on
a farm in Black Hawk county on the 30th of March, 1862, his parents being
Calvin W. and Katharine (Penne) Eighmey, the former a native of New York
and the latter of Germany. The father was a farmer by occupation and in
1849 removed westward to Iowa, settling in Dubuque, whence in 1852 he came
to Black Hawk county, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers. In the
ensuing years he took an active and helpful part in the work of general improve-
ment and development and continued his residence in the county until his death,
which occurred August 6, 1907, when he had reached the age of seventy-six
years. He was a son of Leman Eighmey, also a native of the Empire state.

Frank J. Eighmey pursued his education in the country schools and in Til-
ford Academy at Vinton, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of
i88t. He afterward attended a commercial college at Dubuque and entered
upon his business career as messenger in the First National Bank of that city.
He spent three years in that institution and rose to the position of bookkeeper.
He then went to Dell Rapids, South Dakota, where he organized the First
National Bank of that place and was made cashier. He spent a year there and

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 117

in 1886 came to Waterloo, where he entered the employ of the First National
Bank as messenger. Twenty-six years brought him advancement through inter-
mediate positions to the presidency, to which he was called in 19 12, and in this
connection he is bending his efforts to administrative direction and executive con-
trol. This is one of the strong financial institutions of the city, its progressive-
ness tempered by a safe conservatism, while its policy is at all times thoroughly
reliable. As the years have advanced Air. Eighmey has thoroughly acquainted
himself with eveiy phase of the banking business and his knowledge and ability
now enable him to find ready solution for mtricate and involved money problems,
lie is also the president of the Highland Improvement Company of Waterloo
and is regarded as a prominent factor in the business circles of the city.

On the 18th of August, 1886, in South Dakota, Mr. Eighmey was united in
marriage to Miss Jennie M. Wilson, by whom he has the following children:
Gladys K., who is the wife of A. L. Alexander, of Waterloo; Paul W. ; and
Allene M. Mr. Eighmey belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and
to the Royal Arcanum. The rules which govern his conduct are further indicated
in the fact that he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs
to the Commercial Club and cooperates in many ways in the plans and projects
for the upbuilding and development of the city. His political allegiance is given
to the republican party and he has served as city treasurer of Waterloo on several
dift'erent occasions and also as treasurer of the school board. Flonored and
respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in busi-
ness and financial circles than does Frank J. Eighmey, not alone by reason of the
notable success he has attained but also owing to the straightforward and credita-
ble business policy that he has ever followed.

J. A. ZOOK.

J. A. Zook is senior partner in the firm of Zook & Bentz, proprietors of the
oldest plumbing establishment in Waterloo, and a life of industry, continuous
and intelligently directed, has brought to him a substantial measure of pros-
perity. He was born in Jackson county, Iowa, April 13, 1861, a son of Jacob
and Fllizabeth (Goodwin) Zook, who came to this state from Indiana about
1854. The father purchased a farm ten miles from Maquoketa, residing thereon
until about 1882, when he removed to Cedar county, where his death occurred
a decade later, or in 1892, when he had reached the age of seventy-six years.
His wife passed away in 1903, at the advanced age of eighty-one years.

J. A. Zook spent his boyhood days in his parents" home and during that
period attended the public schools in the acquirement of that education which
has been the basis of his subsequent business advancement. When about eighteen
years of age he went to work in a hardware store in Tripoli, Iowa, and in 1882
made his way to Winnipeg, Canada, where he again found employment in a
hardware establishment. While thus engaged he took up the plumber's trade,
dividing his time between the store and work at the trade for a year or more.
Later he returned to Iowa, settling in Cherokee, Avhere he continued work at
the hardware business and also at the plumber's trade, remaining in that city

118 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

for five years. On the expiration of that period he came to Waterloo in 1890
and entered the employ of the Cutler Hardware Company, with which he re-
mained for three years. In February, 1893, he embarked in the plumbing busi-
ness on his own account and for two years operated independently. In 1895 he
formed a partnership with George L. Wilber, organizing the firm of Zook «&
Wilber. and a year later Charles K. Bentz became one of the owners of the
business, buying out the interest of Mr. Wilber. Smce that time the firm of
Zook & Bentz has conducted the leading plumbing establishment of Waterloo,
with a business that in volume and importance exceeds all others.

In 1884 Mr. Zook married Miss Nellie A. Monty, of Allison, Iowa, by whom
he has six children, as follows: Beatrice, who is the wnit of Dr. R. D. Tififany,
of Hollywood, California ; Marguerite, at home ; Earl, engaged in the insurance
business, who is also at home; and Irene, Robert and Jack, who are likewise
yet under the parental roof. Irene and Robert are high-school students, while
Jack is in the grammar school.

Mr. Zook exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas-
ures of the republican party but the honors and emoluments of ofiice have had
no attraction for him, as he has always preferred to devote his attention to his
business afifairs. Fraternally Air. Zook is connected with Waterloo Lodge, No.
105, A. F. & A. M. ; Waterloo Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M. ; Ascalon Command-
ery. No. 25, K. T. ; and Helmet Lodge of the Knights of Pythias. In these
organizations he is well known and his worth is just as widely recognized in
business circles and in social relations.

WTLLIAM P. EIGENMANN.

William P. Eigenmann is the president and manager of the Artificial Ice &
Fuel Company and, working his way steadily upward since the outset of his
career, he has reached a creditable position, his record proving what may be
accomplished when determination and energy are the salient traits of character.
He has lived in Waterloo for only three years but during this period has made a
most commendable record and today enjoys the high regard, confidence and
good-will of his fellow townsmen. He was born in 1876, in Rockport, Spencer
county, Indiana, where he was reared and educated. He became engaged in the
manufacture of ice at Rockport, and there continued in business for sixteen
years. In fact, throughout his entire business career he has been connected with
this line of activity and there is no feature of the business with which he is not
familiar.

In September, 191 1, he came to Waterloo and since that time has been most
active in developing the interests of the Artificial Ice & Fuel Company, of which
he is now the president. The plant was established in 1907, manufacturing ice
that year for the first time. In 1909 the business was incorporated with a capital
stock of forty-two thousand dollars, Amos Wood, Sr., being the first president.
At that time the incorporated name was the Waterloo Artificial Ice Company.
In March, 1914, a reorganization occurred and the name of the corporation was
changed to the Artificial Ice & Fuel Company. The new company was capitalized

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 119

for twenty-live thousand dollars, with William P. Eigenmann as president and
manager and R. W. Gibson secretary and treasurer. They have a capacity of
thirty tons, which they expect to increase to forty tons before the close of the
year. Their ice business has increased steadily and they also enjoy a gratifying-
trade in fuel. Their business methods are thoroughly reliable and a spirit of
progress actuates them at all times.

Mr. Eigenmann was married in 1903 to Miss Molly Gage, of Grand View,
Indiana, and they have one son, Loren Gage. Mr. Eigenmann holds member-
ship in the Masonic fraternity, having attained the Royal Arch degree. He also
belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Commercial Club
and Board of Trade. Waterloo is actuated by a spirit of advancement and a
great many of her business men are associated in a combined and unified efifort
to promote the trade interests of the city, with a result that is manifest in the
rapid and substantial growth which Waterloo has enjoyed in recent years. With
this movement Mr. Eigenmann has become identified and responds readily to
every call for the benefit and upbuilding of town and county. At the same time
he carefully and wisely directs his individual interests and year by year his
success is increasing.

JOHN E. O'KEEFE, M. D.

Dr. John E. O'Keefe is the senior partner in the firm of O'Keefe, Brown &
Hoftmann, which is one of the leading firms of physicians and surgeons not
only of Waterloo but of this section of the state. All three are progressive,
energetic young men actuated by laudable ambition to attain high rank in their
profession, and already pronounced ability has gained them notable prominence.
Dr. O'Keefe was born in Black Hawk county, September 6, 1871, and was
reared to farm life until he attained his sixteenth year, attending the district
schools. At that period in his life he entered the Waterloo Collegiate & Com-
mercial Institute, from which he was graduated when twenty-one years of age
or in 1892. In the fall of that year he entered the College of Medicine of the
University of Iowa and is numbered among the alumni of that institution of
the class of 1896.

Following his graduation Dr. O'Keefe opened an office at Eagle Center,
Iowa, and a year later, or in 1897, came to Waterloo. In the intervening period
of seventeen years that has brought him to the present he has placed himself
in the front rank of medical practitioners in this city. He has constantly read
and studied and has drawn logical and valuable deductions from his experience.
He is always careful m the diagnosis of his cases and his efforts have been
attended with most creditable success. Since 1903 he has given his attention
largely to special preparation for surgical work. He took the regular surgical
course in the New York Post Graduate School and Hospital in that year and
the same year took special work in the New York Polyclinic School and FIos-
pital. F"or several years past he has made it a point to attend each year the
leading clinics of the United States and in 1914 he visited the large hospitals
and medical centers of Great Britain and Europe, investigating the advanced

120 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

methods of eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world. He has kept
abreast of the improvement in medical and surgical science at all times and is
today ranked among Waterloo's most successful professional men. He belongs
to the Waterloo Medical Society, the Black Hawk County Medical Society, the
Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is
likewise a member of the Austin Flint District Medical Society and the Missouri
\ alley Medical Society, the Clinical Congress of Surgeons of North America
and at the present time is a delegate of the last named to the convention which
will meet in Boston, Massachusetts, in 191 5, havmg been elected while attending
the session of that organization that convened in London, England. He was the
first secretary of the Waterloo Medical Society, has also served as its president
and has been president of the Black Hawk County Medical Society.

In 1898 Dr. O'Keefe was united in marriage to Miss Dora Wade, of Nor-
folk, Nebraska. Dr. O'Keefe belongs to Waterloo Lodge, No. 290, ]>. P. O. E.,
to the Knights of Columbus and to the Catholic church. In these are mdicated
the underlying principles which govern his actions and guide him in every rela-
tion. He has ever manifested the deepest interest in his profession, finds joy
in adding to his knowledge and in discovering new methods which are of value.
As the years have passed on he has progressed by reason of his broad study and
increasing experience, and the confidence entertained in his professional ability
is indicated in the liberal patronage accorded him.

WILLIAM A. WELTY.

William A. W'elty, the inventor and patentee of Welty's fountain pen and
now a resident of Waterloo, was born in Ohio in 1873 and comes of German and
Scotch-Irish parentage. In early boyhood he acquired an excellent education and
at all times during his life has been much inclined to mechanical investigation,
even as a boy having equipped a workshop in his owm home. He .sold books in
order to acquire the means that would enable him to pursue a college education
and in early life he was also elected by his church as financial secretary of the
Ashland University at Ashland, Ohio, and during his incumbency in that office
he cleared the university of indebtedness. While traveling throughout the llnited
States in order to raise funds for the school he gained an unusual insight into
business affairs which fitted him for the commercial career upon which he after-
ward entered.

In 1903 Mr. Welty became connected with the rtrm of Matt Parrott & Sons
as blank book salesman and auditor, at which time he took up the sale of fountain
pens as a side line. Continued complaints of dealers and users of leaking, blot-
ting and dropping convinced him that something very essential had been missed
in pen construction. The public declared that fountain pens never would be a
success. Careful investigation disclosed that while hundreds of more or less
practical ideas had been used, particularly as to the methods of filling, etc.. that
absolutely nothing had been done which would improve the feeding of the ink —
right where the real trouble lay.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 121

The fountain pen industry at that time was only twenty-one years old and
most of the factories had been going ahead on the old plug feed idea, taking it
for granted that if any improvements could be made, Paul E. Wirt, the original
manufacturer, or one of the older organizations, would make them. Some of
these manufacturers knew that most of the dropping and leaking was due to
a lack of proper air entrance and were trying various ways to control this. These
facts were ]\Ir. Welty's inspiration. While others hesitated he pondered, and
one Sunday, while resting in a hotel, the comparison of the spasmodic flow from
the neck of a bottle suddenly occurred to him. That bubble of air must certainly
go up the single feed channel in a fountain pen, as they were then constructed,
just the same as it did in the neck of a bottle. He knew that if you held a bottle
at an angle to empty it, the flow is less spasmodic than if held straight upside
down. Right here dawned the great idea of the air vent in the feed and he at
once took the plug feed out of one of his samples and set to work with a pocket
knife and file and roughly cut out a model. This worked better and on showing
it to several dealers they urged him to obtain a patent, for which he applied
December 6, 1904, and which was granted November 7, 1905. To reach a further
degree of feed perfection he conceived the idea of the "side or sub ducts," which
was patented on October 30, 1906.

During this time Mr. Welty was still selling blank books and enjoying a nice
sale of his pens, which were made for him by a manufacturer in Janesville, Wis-
consin. Noting the growing demand for self fillers, his inventive genius again
showed in the cam locking ring style (now known as the Wawco), which he also
patented in 1906. The increased popularity of the product led him, in March of
that year, to install a small plant and he began making his own product in the
rear of a little office supply store. A one-thousand-dollar order from a Min-
neapolis jobber was a great encouragement, and as fast as he could turn them
out, Mr. Welty went out and sold more, while an expert pen maker was also
hired to help in the manufacture. A little advertising in trade journals and the
enthusiasm of his friends aroused the fear of a then established manufacturer
of self fillers in Toledo, Ohio, who thought to intimidate Mr. Welty by infringe-
ment proceedings, but the latter won. While this case was pending the idea came
to do away with the locking ring and the present interlocking self filler patent
was granted March 30, 1909. The Toledo firm then interviewed him with a
view of purchasing this patent, but he refused. They then made a very flatter-
ing offer to take all his output of this holder equipped with the Welty feed, which
he also declined, as he was firmly convinced that he had an article of real merit
and that its future was assured. His ambition was aroused to see his product
in not only national but international demand. Patents had by now been granted
him in foreign countries.

His friends stood loyally by him. During an international Bible conference
of the Presbyterian church at Winona Lake, Indiana, in August, 1907, of which
a personal friend, Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman, an evangelist, is director, Dr. Chap-
man from the platform recommended the Welty pen to an assembly of five
thousand ministers and as a result over six hundred dollars' worth were sold at
retail there. Mr. Blessing, manager of the Presbyterian board of publication,
also advertised the Welty pen in his book catalogues and bulletins, thus assisting
in the publicity of "The Pen With Merit." Over three hundred traveling men

122 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

with headquarters in Waterloo became enthusiastic boosters of Welty pens, a
home product, and orders were received from various quarters through their
influence. Thus the business grew.

All this time Mr. Welty was engaged in selling at retail adding machines,
typewriters, office supplies, etc., using the profits to forward the pride of his life
— the W^elty fountain pen. About this time the real battles developed. The
Welty "New Idea" pen was rapidly growing in favor and orders could not be
filled owing to lack of capital for rough stock and new machinery. A silent part-
ner who advanced some cash did not help much, because he was inactive yet was
getting most of the profits. A new partnership was formed with an active part-
ner which continued for one year. Again Mr. Welty assumed full control of the
business by purchase. Another time local capitalists offered to incorporate with
him with a paid up capital of one hundred thousand dollars and let Mr. Welty
sell the goods. Here the unfortunate experience of Roy Conklin. who several
years before had been thus displaced in Toledo, Ohio, stood as an example to
Mr. Welty and he declined, being determined to reap the benefits of the product
of his own brain. Handicapped even to the extent of at times returning money
sent in for goods, he still plugged along, showing a tenacity of purpose and busi-
ness ability seldom seen in an inventor. His unusual selling ability is demon-
strated by the fact that all this time he had been doing all his own selling and
helping in the shop between trips, selling all he could get money enough to manu-
facture, and still the business kept on growing. Finally came a time w^hen he
found it a physical impossibility to handle both the inside and outside business
and offered William T. Fitzpatrick, who was enjoying a nice business in the
selling of Welty pens in Montana, a third interest, which the latter accepted.
The partnership thus resulting was so harmonious and the continued expansion
of the business so rapid that the William A. Welty Company was incorporated
in March, 1913, and with a further addition of capital and increased manufactur-
ing and marketing facilities is enjoying the steady, consistent growth which merit
always wins. Waterloo has every reason to be proud of the enterprise which has
here been established but prouder still of the man whose ability and indomitable
spirit has made it possible.

ROBERT E. MONTAGUE.

The history of a community does not depend so much upon the machinery of
government or even upon the men who fill the public offices as those who control
the important business enterprises, furnishing a market for labor and producing
an output that brings the community into business relations with the outside
world. In this connection Robert E. Montague is wxll known, being the president
of the Waterloo Skirt & Garment Company. For nine years he has made his
home in Waterloo and is accounted one of its foremost citizens. He is a native
son of Illinois, bom in 1875, and came from that state to Waterloo in 1905.
When fourteen years of age he became connected with the business in which he
is still engaged, having spent nearly a quarter of a century in activity along this
line. The Waterloo Skirt & Garment Company was organized about eleven years

EOBERT E. MONTAGUE

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 125

ago. After a few years' connection therewith Mr. Montague purchased the in-
terest of G. B. McWilliams in the business and succeeded him in the presidency of
the company, which is incorporated with the following officials : R. E. Montague,
president; G. N. See, treasurer; and F. C. Stetzel, secretary. They manufacture
a large line of house dresses, petticoats, kimonos and children's wear, and in
addition to the extensive plant at Waterloo they also have a factory at Cedar
Falls and at Waverly and keep on an average of two hundred and fifty employes,
while upon the road they are represented by eighteen traveling salesmen. They
do a business that extends from coast to coast and something of the volume of
their trade is indicated by the fact that they cut up about ten thousand yards of
cloth per day in the manufacture of their output. This is one of the important
productive enterprises of the city. The business is carefully systematized and
managed. Mr. Montague is familiar with every phase of the trade and has in-
troduced well devised methods to such a degree that there is no useless expendi-
ture of time, labor or material — which is the secret of all success in business.

In 1895, Mr. Montague was united in marriage to Miss Grace J. Pendleton,
of Tennessee, and they have a daughter, Gladys Emma. Mr. Montague and his
family are members of the Grace Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs also
to the Commercial Club and Board of Trade of Waterloo. He belongs to that
public-spirited, useful and helpful type of men whose ambitioas and desires are
centered and directed in those channels through which flow the greatest and most
permanent good to the greatest number.

JOHN G. BICKLEY, M. D.

Dr. John G. Bickley is numbered among the honored and highly respected
residents of Waterloo, where he is now living retired, although for an extended
period he was actively engaged in the practice of medicine in this city, of which
he became a resident in 1862. He was then but ten years of age, his birth
having occurred in Pennsylvania in 1852. He was graduated from the Waterloo
high school and, having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work,
he afterward entered the medical department of the Iowa State University.
Later he became a student in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from
which in due time he was graduated, and still later he was graduated from the
Chicago College of Homeopathy, now the Hahnemann Medical College. Immedi-
ately afterward he located in Waterloo and the thorough preparation which he
had made for professional duties enabled him to meet with almost immediate
success in practice.

At different times Dr. Bickley has gone abroad for further study and in
European centers has investigated the methods of many of the most eminent
physicians and surgeons of the old world. Broad reading has also kept him in
touch with advanced medical thought and research and, although now practically
living retired, he has practiced for a longer period in Waterloo than any other
physician of the city. He still retains membership with the Hahnemann Medical
Association of Iowa. As the years have gone on and Dr. Bickley has won suc-

\'ril. II— 7

126 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

cess he has made extensive and judicious investments in real estate, in which he
is now heavily interested in Waterloo and its vicinity.

On the 22d of September, 1881, Dr. Bickley was united in marriage to Miss
Eva Pitcher, who died in 1890, leaving four sons: Carl C. and John Cecil, both
of whom are practicing physicians of Waterloo; Robert S.. a physician of New
York city ; and Emil B., now a medical student in Columbia University of New
York city. After the death of his first wife Dr. Bickley was married on the
30th of April, 1910, to Miss Tina Stewart, a native of Waterloo and a daughter
of John and Isabella (Robertson) Stewart, who came to this city in May, 1867.
The father, who followed farming as a life work, died about twenty years ago,
but the mother is still living. They reared a family of eight children, all of whom
reside in Waterloo or its vicinity with the exception of one sister who is living
in Canada.

Dr. Bickley and his wife are members of the Christadelphian church. For
several years past he has spent the winter months in Los Angeles. California,
while the summer seasons are passed in Waterloo, where for many years he has
been numbered among the foremost citizens. His life work has brought him into
close connection with many families here and he is no more highly esteemed for
his pronounced professional skill than he is loved for those personal qualities
w^iich endear man to man. Because of the innate refinement of his nature he
rejects everything opposed to good taste, and the high ideals which he has ever
cherished for his profession, in citizenship and for the individual find embodi-
ment in practical effort for their adoption.

J. E. ARMSTRONG.

J. E. Armstrong is president of the Armstrong Manufacturing Com.pany of
Waterloo, in which city he has resided since 1908. Throughout this period it is
well known that his business has ever balanced up with the principles of truth
and honor and he has become the strong center of the community in which he
moves. The enterprise of which he is now the head and which is Waterloo's
pioneer manufacturing industry had its inception in 1867. A half century ago
Henry Kelley invented and patented the cam and treadle drilling machine and in
1867 he with several associates organized this company under the name of the
Morgan, Kelley & Taneyhill Company, the name being later changed to Kelley
& Taneyhill. After Mr. Kelley's death it was again changed, becoming in 1909
the Armstrong-Ouam Manufacturing Company, which name was continued until
the present title of the Armstrong Manufacturing Company was adopted in 191 1.
The business had been incorporated in 1900. Since 1867 this company has been
continuously engaged in the manufacture of the most successful and complete
line of portable well drilling and prospecting machinery and supplies on the
market and for a number of years has been manufacturing a complete line of
high grade gasoline engines. The present capitalization of the company is
two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and the officials are: J. E. Armstrong,
president ; J. F. Landgraf , vice president ; and C. L. Armstrong, secretary and
treasurer. The business has grown to extensive and gratifying proportions and

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 127

they now have branch houses at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada ; Los Angeles,
CaUfornia, and in New York city. Their factory buildings cover an entire block
and their large and commodious office building is located upon the opposite side
of the street. The plant is thoroughly equipped with the latest improved machin-
ery to facilitate the work and the extensive output is sent not only to all parts
of this country but they likewise do an extensive business in foreign trade.

Aside from his interests in this connection Mr. Armstrong is president of the
Charles City Engine Company and is vice president of the Novelty Iron Works
at Dyersville, Iowa. His plans are carefully formulated and promptly executed
and he readily recognizes the possibilities of a situation and utilizes its opportuni-
ties. He is diligent and determined and possesses in large measure the spirit
of initiative. Through the steps of progressive achievement he has reached his
present notable position as one of the foremost business men of Waterloo. He
is a member of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and is interested in
promoting in every possible way the business connections of the city.

RUSSELL L. DEGON.

Waterloo on the whole has been signally favored in the class of men who have
occupied her public offices. Among these in the year 1914 is Russell L. Degon,
who is serving as city clerk and auditor and is making a creditable record in the
office. He was born in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1883, a son of James D. and Etta
E. (James) Degon, who reside at No. 932 Logan avenue in Waterloo, the father
being now a passenger conductor on the Illinois Central Railroad.

Although born in Wisconsin, Russell L. Degon was but a young lad when his
parents removed with their family to Freeport, Illinois, where his childhood days
were passed and his education was largely acquired. After attending the public
schools of Freeport, however, he entered the high school of Dubuque, Iowa. He
also pursued a course of study in the Waterloo Business College and one month
before his class was graduated accepted a position with the Illinois Central Rail-
road, remaining in active connection with the mechanical and store departments
until the ist of January, 191 1.

Mr. Degon was then called to public office, being appointed deputy county
auditor of Black Hawk county, which position he filled until April, 1912, when he
was elected city auditor of Waterloo and at the same time was appointed clerk
by the city council. On the ist of April, 1914, he was reelected for another two
years' term and was again appointed city clerk. His official service is highly
commendable and will at all times bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, for
he is prompt, methodical and accurate and at all times is actuated by a spirit of
devotion to the public good. Mr. Degon has always taken an active interest in
politics since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he has served
as a member of the republican central committee on three di'fiferent occasions.
He has also been a delegate to the state conventions of his party and his opinions
carry weight in its local councils. He is furthermore connected with the interests
of Waterloo as a holder of city real estate and he is a stockholder m the Illinois
Central Railroad.

128 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

In 1906 Mr. Degon was united in marriage to Miss May Banton, of Waterloo,
a granddaughter of Dr. Banton, one of the pioneer physicians of the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Degon have one child, Juanita May. The parents are members of
Christ Episcopal church and are held in high regard wherever known. Mr.
Degon is very prominent in fraternal connections. He belongs to the blue lodge,
chapter, council and commandery, all Masonic bodies of Waterloo, and he initi-
ated, passed and raised his father in the first three degrees of the Masonic order.
He has been most active as a worker in the craft and has been recorder of Ascalon
Commandery, No. 25, K. T., for four years. He likewise belongs to El Kahir
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and in 1907 was the youngest Shriner in the state.
He is also active in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and at the present
time is the esteemed leading knight. He has membership with the Tribe of Ben
Hur and in organizations of a purely local character his connection is with the
Town Criers Club and the Commercial Club and Board of Trade of Waterloo.
He has the happy faculty of not only winning but of retaining the friendship of
those with whom he is brought in contact. He has many attractive personal
qualities and his capability along various lines adds to the high regard in which
he is uniformly held in W\aterloo and throughout T>lack Hawk county.

F. B. DIETRICK.

During the period of his residence in Waterloo F. B. Dietrick has made for
himself a creditable name in connection with business interests, being now cashier
of the Security Savings Bank. He was born in Bremer county, Iowa, in 1865,
a son of William S. and Sarah Ellen Dietrick. The father came to Iowa in 1856
and settled on a farm in Bremer county, where he lived until 1866, when he
brought his family to Waterloo, where he embarked in merchandising, in which
he continued for about two years, when he went to Raymond, where he was con-
nected with mercantile interests for thirty-five years, or until the time of his
death, becoming one of the valued and representative citizens as well as leading-
merchants of that place.

F. B. Dietrick lived in Raymond until seventeen years of age and then engaged
in the railroad business, learning telegraphy. He spent about twelve years as an
operator and after discontinuing his efforts in that connection became an employe
of the Farmers Loan & Trust Company at Fonda, Iowa. Later he was made
cashier of the Randolph State Bank, now the First National Bank of Randolph,
in which he continued for two years. On the expiration of that period he
returned to Waterloo and was with the First National Bank of this city for about
thirteen years. He then became cashier of the Security Savings Bank and as
such is widely and favorably known not only in the city, but also in the county.
His ability and worth are widely recognized. His powers have constantly
expanded through the exercise of eft'ort and gradually he has worked his way
upward, utilizing each opportunity to the best advantage. He is a man of reso-
lute purpose and exemplifies in his life the progressive spirit of the age. He is
a stockholder in the Security Savings Bank, in the First National Bank and the

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 129

Waterloo Skirt & Garment Company and has thus extended his connections until
in business circles he occupies an enviable position.

On the 14th of May, 1889, Mr. Dietrick was united in marriage to Miss Lillian
H. Beeman, of Des Moines. They are well known socially in Waterloo and are
numbered among the valued and consistent members of Grace Methodist Epis-
copal church, in which Mr. Dietrick is serving on the official board. His fraternal
connections are with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias and he is a member
of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade. While laudable ambition has
prompted him in his business career he has always recognized the duties of
citizenship and has met his obligations in that connection in a most commendable
way. Iowa has reason to be proud to number him among her native sons and in
Waterloo, where he has long resided, he has gained an extensive circle of friends.

R. A. ELLIS.

R. A. Ellis is an enterprising business man of Waterloo, where he has made
his home for fourteen years. He represents industrial activity here as senior
partner in the firm of Ellis & Foster, proprietors of a plumbing establishment.
Moreover, he is closely connected with the city's welfare and the management of
municipal interests as alderman at large.

Mr. Ellis was born in Bremer county, Iowa, in 1866, a son of J. G. Ellis, a
native of England, who on first coming to the United States settled in New York.
In 1853 hs traveled westward with an ox team to what was then the frontier,
establishing his home in Bremer county, Iowa. He was the first sheriff elected
in that county and served for three terms at a time when crime was rampant,
especially horse stealing, and he had various thrilling escapes while discharging
his arduous and ofttimes dangerous duties. He was a very efficient sheriff" and
succeeded largely in suppressing crime and in driving out of his county the horse
thieves that infested it in the early years of his incumbency in that office. For
an extended period he was actively interested in the agricultural development of
his county, carefully conducting his farming interests in a way that brought to
him substantial success. In fact, he left the impress of his individuality for good
upon the history of his county in many ways. He died in the year 1894 and his
death was deeply regretted by all who knew him. His VN^ife, who bore the maiden
name of Sarah Meade, was a native of New England and they reared a family
of four daughters and one son.

R. A. Ellis spent his youthful days in Bremer county, obtaining a public-
school education and meeting many of the experiences of life on the frontier.
He learned the plumber's trade and, settling in Cedar Falls, continued work at
his trade and also served as a member of the city council. Fourteen years ago
he came to Waterloo and established a plumbing business under the firm name
of Ellis & Foster, which has continued to the present time. He has been very
active in this Hne of work, his business keeping pace with the rapid growth of
the city, which he has seen develop from a comparatively small town to a place
of more than thirty-five thousand inhabitants. He has had contracts for the
plumbing in many^of the city's best buildings and is now installing the plumbing

130 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

in the Thomas A. Edison public-school building at a cost of twelve thousand
dollars. This is indicative of his prominent position in the field of business to
which he has directed his energies. His patronage is very extensive and his
business has long since reached large and gratifying proportions. He is also
acting as president and secretary of the Iowa State Master Plumbers Associa-
tion.

On the 22d of September, 1890, Mr. EUis was united in marriage to Miss
Mary P'oster, of Bremer county, and they have become parents of three children.
Harry, the eldest, was educated at Cedar Falls and at Waterloo and is now man-
ager of the Waterloo Storage Battery Company. Ruth, who was graduated from
the high school of this city, is now a student in the Waterloo Business College.
Helen is now attending the West Waterloo high school.

The parents are members of St. Mark's Episcopal church and Mr. Ellis has
served as vestryman. He is a well known Mason, holding membership in the
lodge, chapter and council, and for twenty-five years he has been a member of
the Knights of Pythias. He also has membership in the Chamber of Commerce
and in the Waterloo Club. Outside of his business he is perhaps best known
through his political activity, for he has been an earnest worker in the ranks of
the democratic party almost from the time when age conferred upon him the right
of franchise. He is now serving for the second term as alderman at large, having
been called to that office by appointment to fill out an unexpired term, after which
he was elected to the position. He exercises his official prerogatives in support of
many measures and plans for the public good and works against useless expendi-
ture of the public funds, yet does not believe in barring progress by parsimonious
retrenchment. Advancement has ever been his watchword and it characterizes
his public duties as well as his business affairs. He now has an attractive home in
Waterloo and also a cottage down on the river bank, where he and his family
spend the summer months.

E. T. SADLER.

E. T. Sadler is editor of The Milk Trade Journal and The Creamery Journal,
published at Waterloo, in which city he dates his residence from 1900. He was
born in Buchanan county, Iowa, in 1883 and was educated in the schools of
Hazleton, Iowa, and in the West high school of Des Moines, supplemented by a
course in the Waterloo Business College, from which he was graduated with the
class of 1902. He then became associated with the Fred L. Kimball Company,
with \vhich he has since been connected. He has been editor of The Creamery
Journal for six years and of The Milk Trade Journal since the publication was
started. These are two trade papers of great value to those who are conducting
business along the lines indicated. The papers meet every requirement of the
milk producer, giving valuable knowledge concerning methods and the market.
Mr. Sadler is also secretary and treasurer of the Iowa Milk Dealers Association
and is treasurer of the Iowa State Dairy Association. He has made a close study
of everything connected with the production, care and sale of milk and his opin-
ions are largely accepted as authority upon such questions. He is the author

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 131

of a well known song and one very popular among dairymen, "Everybody Milks

in Iowa."

In 1909 Mr. Sadler was united in marriage to Miss Nona Ricker, of Sioux
Falls, South Dakota, and they have a daughter, Shirley Jane. The parents are
members of Grace Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Sadler belongs to Helmet
Lodge, No. 89, K. P. He is likewise a member of the Town Criers Club, the
Commercial Club and Board of Trade, and the United Commercial Travelers.
He has never allowed personal interest or ambition to thwart his public activities
and cooperates in many measures for the general good. Whether in pubhc or
private connections he is energetic and persistent in action, swift in decision,
quick in perception and stable in purpose.

ASHLEY ATWOOD DUNHAM.

When the machinery of public service is kept in good running order the
average citizen does not stop to think of all the labor, care, foresight and execu-
tive ability which this involves, but such qualities are just as indispensable m
the management of public utilities as in the control of individual business enter-
prises. In Ashley Atwood Dunham Waterloo has a chief of her fire department
of which she has every reason to be proud, for he has made an excellent record
in this connection from the old days of a volunteer fire department until the
present time when he is at the head of the fire-fighting forces of the city.

Mr. Dunham was born in Canada September 16, 1864, and there resided untd
he reached the age of seventeen years, when he came to Waterloo, where he
learned the baker's trade, which he followed for three years. He then went to
Montana, where he spent two and a half years working in the mines. Upon his
return to Waterloo he took up carpentering and was identified with that trade
until 1895 when he engaged in the grocery business, which he still conducts under
the firm name of Dunham cK: Sohner. Theirs is a well appointed establishment,
supplied with a large line of staple and fancy groceries, and the business methods
of the house are in keeping with the highest standard of commercial ethics. A
liberal patronage is accorded them and as a result of their honorable methods and
earnest desire to please their patrons their business is growing year by year.

Mr Dunham was the last chief of the volunteer fire department of Waterloo,
acting in that capacity from 1899 until 1904. The rapid growth ot this city
seemed to make it imperative that a pay department be established, wnich was
done in 1904, and Mr. Dunham remained as chief. He knows every inch ot
ground in the city and has carefully systematized the work of the department,
rendering a great conflagration almost an impossibility. He has secured the
latest improved fire-fighting apparatus and is most capable in directing the efforts
of his men when their services are called upon.

Mr. Dunham has been married twice. He first wedded Matilda Sohner, who
died about eleven years ago, leaving two daughters, Alice and Agnes. Following
the demise of his first wife Mr. Dunham wedded her sister, Mary Magdalene
Sohner, their marriage being celebrated in 1909.

132 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Mr. Dunham is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of the
Fraternal Union and the Yeomen, while in Masonry he has attained high rank,
being connected with the blue lodge and also with the chapter, council, com-
mandery and Shrine. A resident of Waterloo from the age of seventeen years,
he is widely known here and his public service as well as his business connections
have established him high in the regard of his fellow townsmen, who entertain
for him good-will and great esteem.

HIRAM BROWN HOXIE.

Hiram Brown Hoxie is treasurer of the Waterloo Fruit & Commission Com-
pany, of which he was one of the principal organizers, and he is still actively
interested in the business although he has now reached the age of seventy-eight
years. Advanced age, however, need not suggest as a matter of course idle-
ness or want of occupation, for when one has wisely used his time and his
talents, his powers increase and he grows stronger mentally and morally as the
years go on, giving out of the rich stores of his wisdom and experience for the
benefit of others. Such is the record of Mr. Hoxie, who was born in Cayuga
county, New York, November 25, 1836. a son of Jonathan Johnson and Lydia
(Brown) Hoxie, both of whom were natives of the state of New York. The
father was born in Middletown, August 2J, 18 10, acquired a public-school edu-
cation and afterward engaged in teaching in the schools of Canada. He served
as captain in the state militia. He devoted his early life to the business of a
carpenter and contractor but afterward became a merchant. In his later years
he and his wife joined their son, Hiram Brown Hoxie, in Waterloo, where the
mother passed away in 1887, while the father, surviving for twenty years, died on
the I2th of March, 1907. They had a family of four children, of whom Hiram
Brown Hoxie is the eldest. Augusta Elmina, born at Summer Hill, Cayuga,
county. New York, August i, 1840, became the wife of Henry Otis Landphere
and resides in Cortland county. New York. Charles Henry, born February 19,
1844, died in Waterloo in August, 1914, survived by a widow. Ellen Violetta,
born at Summer Hill, New York, January 9, 1847, Ijecame the wife of George
S. Brown and both are now deceased.

Hiram Brown Hoxie was reared at home and acquired a common-school
education. After reaching manhood he was employed for some years in his
father's store in Summer Hill, New York, and afterward became identified with
the lumber business, in which he continued actively until after the outbreak of
the Civil war. His patriotic spirit being aroused by the continued attempt of
the south to overthrow the Union, he put aside all commercial and personal con-
siderations and enlisted as a member of Company B, Seventy-fifth New York
Regiment. In 1863 he was commissioned a lieutenant of Company B, Eighty-
eighth United States Colored Infantry, with which he served until honorably
discharged in the fall of 1864 following the consolidation of regiments.

Mr. Hoxie then returned to his home in New York and engaged in land
speculation and in the purchase and sale of live stock, both branches of his busi-
ness bringing to him creditable success ; but the opportunities of the middle west

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COLXTY 135

attracted him and in 1868 he made his way to Iowa, porchasing a farm in Barclay

tov»Tiship, Black Hawk coimt\-. The land was wild and undeveloped and there
were no improvements upon the place in the shape of buildings. He erected
a frame house sixteen bj" twenty-four feet with a kitchen lean-to, and thereafter
began the development of the fields, breaking the sod, planting the crops and in
due time gathering good harxests. Year after year he continued to successfully
cultivate his farm until Tanuarv- 1. 188S, when he removed to \Vaterloo to ento"
upon the duties of count}" sheritt, to which office he had been elected in the fall
of 1S87. Lxjyalt}" and fidelity" characterized his discharge of the work of the
office and he made such a creditable record during his first term that he was
reelected on three successive occasions, remaining the incumbent in that office
for fotir terms. He retired from the position as he had altered it — with the
confidence and good-will of all concerned. He was afterward engaged for three
years in foreclosing mortgages, selling bankrupt stocks of goods, acting as receiver
and in other such positions. In 1S99 ^^ became one of the dominant factors in
the organization of the Waterloo Fniit & Commission Company, with which he
\\-a5 actively engaged until 1912. and he is still treasurer of the company! although
he has largely relegated to others the management and active control of the
business.

In 1870. at Moimt Carrt^ Illinois. !Mr. Hoxde was united in marriage to
Miss Ruth A. Pierce, who was bom in Lapeer. Xew Ycnk, June 13, 1S44, a
daughter of Ezariah and Maigaret ( Hilsinger i Pierce. Her grandfather,
Xathaniel Pierce, was bom in Pro\-idence. Rhode Island, Mandi 2, 1783. He
was a farmer by occupation and on his remo\-al westward settled in Cortland
county. Xew York. On the trip he was accompanied by two cousins: William
Saunders, who \\-as the author of a series of spelling books and readers widely
used in the pubhc schools; and Charles Saunders, who afterward b«3ime an
influential member of the bench and bar of Xew York city. Xathaniel Pierce
was united in marriage to Xancy Harvey, who was bom Februar\- 25, 17SS. and
died in Cortland count\-. Xew York.

Elzariah Pierce \A-as bom in Cortland count)-. Xew York, April 17. 181 1,
acquired a common-school education and was reared as a farm boy. Before the
era of railroad building in central Xew York he bought and hauled produce to
Xew York cit\- and upon the return trips would take back a load of merchandise.
For years he engaged in selling ties to the railroads, also supplying cordwood,
which was the fuel used in the engines, and likewise engaged in the sale of
lumber. He wedded Margaret Hilsinger. who was bom in Scholiarie count>-,
Xew York, and \\-as a representative of one of the early Dutdi famiUes from
Holland. The deadi of Elzariah Pierce occurred in Cortland county, Xew York,
in 1854, and his wife passed away in the same count\\ February- 27. 1S60. They
were sincere and consistent members of the Christian church. In politics Mr.
Pierce A\-as a whig and he held numerous local c^ces, the duties of which he
discharged with promptness and fidelity-. In their family were two childroi:
Ambrose, who was bom in 184.O and died in early manhood: and Mrs. Hoxie,

The laner was bom at Lapeer. Xew York. Tune 13. 1S44, and was graduated
from a pri\-ate school of Marathon. Xew York, known as the Marathon Academy.
She afterward entered the Cazeno\-ia Seminarv- and still later was graduated
from the Oswego (X. Y.) Xormal Training school. She th«i took up the

136 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

profession of teaching in the city of Oswego and was connected with the schools
there until 1870, when she came to the west to teach. After a short stay at the
home of her cousin, Judge Hilsinger, in Sabula, Iowa, she became the wife of
Hiram Brown Hoxie. For a brief period following her marriage she taught in
the Normal Institute at Iowa Falls. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoxie have been born
three children : Wirt P., who holds the office of county attorney in Black Hawk
county; Nellie Ninon, who is the wife of Cecil E. Kell, of White River, South
Dakota, and has one living child, Cecil Edward, who was born in White River,
July 8, 1914; and Ralph J., the secretary and manager of the Waterloo Fruit &
Commission Company.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Hoxie has voted
for the men and measures of the republican party. Fraternally he is connected
with Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M., and also the Royal Arch chapter
at Waterloo. He is likewise a member of the Waterloo Commercial Club and
is thus active in the movements promulgated for the benefit of the city and the
extension of its trade relations. He is widely and favorably known throughout
Black Ha^vk county, where he has now lived for forty-six years. There are
few phases of its growth and development with which he is not familiar and at
all times he has been an interested witness of its growth and advancement and
in various ways has contributed to the upbuilding of this section. He is highly
esteemed and his warmest friends are those with whom he has long been asso-
ciated— a fact which indicates that his career is one which wdll bear close
investigation and scrutiny.

SIDNEY D. SMITH, M. D.

Dr. Sidney D. Smith is one of the successful young practitioners of medicine
and surgery in Waterloo and has already won an enviable reputation in profes-
sional circles of Black Hawk county. His birth occurred in Watertown, New
York, on the Sth of September, 1884, his parents being Stephen R. and Jennie
(Mendell) Smith, natives of Jefferson county. New York. Colonel Sidney J.
Mendeil, the maternal grandfather of our subject, held the rank of colonel in
the Thirty-fifth New York Regiment during the period of the Civil war. In
1866 he took up his abode among the pioneer settlers of Franklin county. Iowa,
where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1909, in the
eighty-seventh year of his age. Stephen R. Smith, an agriculturist by occupa-
tion, resided on his farm in Jefferson county. New York, until 1907 and since
that time has made his home in Rochester.

Sidney D. Smith obtained his early education in the public schools and sub-
sequently attended L-nion Academy of Belleville, New York, from which he was
graduated with the class of 1903. In the fall of 1906 he entered Cornell Medical
College and in 1910. after two years' study in Ithaca and two years' instruction
at New York city, won the degree of M. D. He afterward spent a'oout fifteen
months as an interne in the J. Hood Wright Hospital in New York and on the
expiration of that period came to Iowa on a visit._ Being attracted to Waterloo
and believing it to be a favorable field for a young medical practitioner, he opened

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 137

an office and has since remained here, having built up an extensive and lucrative
practice. He has recently been elected coroner of Black Hawk coimty and in that
capacity is also making a most creditable record.

On the 24th of June, 1914, Dr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Ruba
M. Christie, of New York city. He is a popular member of the Waterloo City
Medical Society and is identified fraternally with the following organizations :
Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M. ; Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P. ; and
Waterloo Lodge, No. 328, L. O. M. He conforms his practice to the highest
professional ethics and has already won flattering success for one of his years.

BURTON E. WILSON.

Burton E. Wilson, a real-estate and insurance agent of Waterloo, in which
citv he has made his home for eleven years, is a native of Illinois but has been
a resident of Black Hawk county through four decades. His father, Samuel
Wilson, became one of the pioneer settlers of this county and is still living at
Hudson at the venerable age of eighty-two years. He was born in Herkimer
county. New York, in 1832 and in early manhood wedded Mary A. Sutton, whose
birth occurred in Oswego county, New York, in 1835 and who is also yet living.
At the time of the Civil war he became a member of Company F, Eighty-second
Regiment of New York Volunteer Infantry, and was in the service for three
years and four months, after which he was honorably discharged because of
physical disability. In the meantime, however, he had participated in a number
of hotly contested engagements and had proven his valor and loyalty on various
battlefields. Following the war Mr. Wilson brought his family to the middle
west. He lived for a time in Illinois and then came to Black Hawk county, where
he carried on general farming.

Burton E. Wilson, brought to Iowa during his early boyhood, was reared
in Black Hawk county and acquired his education in its public schools until he
left the Waterloo high school. Later he entered Til ford Academy and in early
manhood taught school in both Black Hawk and Benton counties. He then
turned his attention to general farming and stock-raising and was thus closely
associated with the agricultural interests of the county for a considerable period,
but in 1903 left the farm and removed to Waterloo, where he established a
real-estate and insurance office and is still engaged in that business in addition
to carrying on his farming interests. He has largely owned the real estate in
which he has dealt in Waterloo and Black Hawk county, making purchases out-
right rather than selling on commission. Lie is likewise greatly interested in
western lands. Each year he has built a few houses in Waterloo for sale or
rent and his business is thus proving an element in the improvement and adorn-
ment of the city. He also conducts a general business in all branches of insur-
ance and the policies which he writes represent a large figure annually. He like-
wise has other business connections. Fie is financially interested in still other
lines which contribute to his individual success and at the same time are factors
in public prosperity.

138 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

In 1898 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Celia Glenny, a daughter
of Alexander Glenny. They hold membership in the First Congregational church
of W^aterloo, of which Mr. Wilson is now clerk. He belongs to the Knights of
Pythias and Odd Fellows lodges, the Modern Woodmen camp and the Sons of
\'eterans. He is also identified with the Chamber of Commerce, with the
Waterloo Club, the Town Criers Club and the Waterloo Traveling & r.usiness
Men's Association. Flis interests and activities have been constantly broadening
in their scope and in their usefulness. He finds time for all of the duties that
devolve upon him in different relations and in connection with his fellow towns-
men attempts to meet the public needs while at the same time he carefully con-
ducts his business affairs. He is a self-made man and one who is deserving of
much credit for what he has accomplished, for personal energy and industry
have been the foundation upon which he has builded his success.

HON. HORACE BOIES.

Flon. Horace Boies was twice governor of Iowa, serving as chief executive
of the state from 1890 until 1894. lie has ])rol)ably been mentioned more fre-
quently and more prominently throughout the United States than any other
resident of Iowa. His capabilities naturally qualify him for leadership and upon
the history of the commonwealth he has left an indelible impression, his efforts
being for many years one of the potent elements of progress and improvement
here. He was born in Aurora, Erie county, New York, December 7. 1827, a
son of Heber and Hattie (Henshaw) Boies. The father was a farmer in moder-
ate circumstances and was a soldier of the War of 1812. He was descended from
French ancestry, the family name being originally Du Bois. The orthography,
however, was changed by some of the earlier American ancestors to its present
form. The first of the family who came to this country was David Boies, who
settled in Blanford, Massachusetts. His family numbered several children, one
of whom was Joel I'oies, grandfather of the Hon. Horace Boies. The governor's
mother was the daughter of a farmer of Fnglish descent, who served as a soldier
in the Revolutionary war.

Horace Boies was reared in the usual manner of farm lads to the age of six-
teen years and after reaching the age of ten years he worked on the home farm
in the summer and attended the district schools in the winter seasons. On reach-
ing the age of sixteen he decided to start out in the world in order to make his
own living and, leaving his home in the Empire state, made his way westward to
Wisconsin. He spent four years in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois,
working as a farm hand through the summer seasons and teaching or attending
school in the winter months. In 1847 ^^ returned to New York and there on the
TOth of May, 1848, married one of his schoolmates. Miss Adella King, who was
then nineteen years of age. Through his wife's influence he entered a law office,
that of S. S. Clark, of Boston, Erie county. New York. He did farm work and
chores to pay his expenses and Mrs. Boies supported herself by teaching school.
He was endowed by nature with strong mentality and he applied himself with
such thoroughness to the mastery of legal principles that at the end of two years

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 139

he was enabled to pass the required examination which secured him admission
to the bar. He then engaged in general practice and followed his profession in
or near Buffalo and throughout the surrounding district until 1867. No dreary
novitiate awaited him. His powers as a lawyer were soon manifest and his cli-
entage steadily increased. He became, too, a recognized leader in political circles
and was elected to the lower house of the New York legislature.

Mr. Boies was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife in 1855. In the
spring of 1857 he visited Waterloo, Iowa, and again in the winter of 1857 ^^<^
1858. It was during that winter that he married Versalia M. Barber, a daughter
of the late Dr. Barber, of Waterloo, and in the spring of 1867 he came to this
city and continued in practice until elected governor. He was one of the most
distinguished members of the Iowa bar. At different times he was in partner-
ship with H. B. Allen, who retired at length on account of failing health; with
Judge Couch, who was elected to the district court; and James L. Husted, who
remained with him until Mr. Boies became Iowa's chief executive. In the mean-
time his sons, E. L. Boies and Herbert B. Boies, had been admitted to the bar
and had joined the firm, which later became known as Boies & Boies. For some
time after the governor's retirement from office he gave some attention to his
practice but spent nmch of his time on his farm in Grundy county. The later
years of his life have been spent there and in southern California, where he is
now making his home.

Governor Boies has one child by his first marriage, now Mrs. John ,Carson,
of Mount \'ernon, Iowa. To his second marriage were born three children :
E. L. ; Jessie B., who died January i, 1894; and Herbert B., of Waterloo, now
serving as district judge.

Governor Boies has never belonged to any church or society other than the
Good Templars, which he joined in his boyhood days. He was the first democrat
elected governor of Iowa after 1855 and the only one to hold that otifice in over
half a century. It is a credit to his party as well as to himself that he was one
of the three or four ablest governors the state ever had. It has been the simple
weight of his character and ability that has carried him into the positions of
prominence which he has occupied. As a lawyer he was sound, clear-minded and
well trained. The limitations which are imposed by the constitution on federal
powers are w^ell understood by him. With the long line of decisions from
Marshall down, by which the constitution has been expounded, he is familiar,
as are all thoroughly skilled lawyers. He is at home in all departments of the
law, from the minutiae of practice to the greater topics wherein is involved the
consideration of the ethics and the philosophy of jurisprudence and the higher
concerns of public policy. But he is not learned in the law alone, for he has
studied long and carefully the subjects that are to the statesman and the man
of affairs of the greatest import — the questions of finance, political economy,
sociology — and has kept abreast of the best thinking men of the age. In his
practice he proved felicitous and clear in argument, thoroughly in earnest, full of
the vigor of conviction, never abusive of his adversaries, imbued with highest
courtesy, and yet a foe worthy of the steel of the most able opponent.

That he was reelected governor in a state that has been a recognized repub-
lican stronghold speaks volumes concerning his ability, and an enumeration of
those men of the present generation who have won honor and public recognition

140 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

for themselves and at the same time have honored the state in which they belong
would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent reference to Horace
Boies, who held distinctive precedence as an eminent lawyer and statesman, as
a man of marked intellectual attainments and one who conducted himself with
signal capability, dignity and honor in the highest office within the gift of the
people of the state, winning the respect of all. A strong mentality, an invincible
courage, a most determined individuality have so entered into his makeup as to
render him a natural leader of men and a director of public opinion. His influ-
ence has been felt not only in Iowa but throughout the country, for his views
have carried weight in councils where the best thinking men of the nation were
assembled for the discussion of vital and significant problems.

BENJAMIN J. RODAMAR.

Benjamin J. Rodamar is now livmg retired in Waterloo after long, close and
successful connection with the agricultural interests of this section of the state.
He came to Black Hawk county on the 14th of April, 1869. and through all the
intervening years has been a loyal and valued citizen of the community. Mis
birth occurred in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1845 'irid he was only about
eighteen months old when his mother died. Through the period of his boyhood
and youth he lived with different people and he learned to know the full mean-
ing of the question "What is home without a mother?''

It was in March, 1868, that Mr. Rodamar made arrangements for having a
home of his own in his marriage to Miss Susan hike, also a native of Somerset
county, Pennsylvania. A year later he started for the west with his young bride
in search of a favorable location and on the 14th of April, 1869, they arrived in
Black Hawk county, where they have since resided, [""or a time ]\Ir. Rodamar
worked by the day at driving oxen and at any other employment which he could
secure. Thus the summer passed and in the following winter he secured a posi-
tion as teacher of a school. This was not his initial experience in that profession,
for he had already taught for nine years in Pennsylvania and was principal of a
school at Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, in 1867. In 1870 Mr. Rodamar turned his
attention to farming, ])urchasing eighty acres of land in Eagle township. The
tract was entirely destitute of improvements, being just as it was when it came
from the hand of nature. No road to Waterloo had at that time been laid out
and in those early years he met many of the hardships and difficulties incident to
pioneer life. At that early period when he wished to take his grain to market he
would have to unload his wheat and carry it on his back across the slough? and
then get the wagon and oxen across and reload. Thus he would go on until he
reached the town, where he would sell ofttimes at a very low price. Many were
the evidences of frontier life which surrounded him, but by diligence and careful
planning Mr. Rodamar won success and kept adding to his holdings from time
to time until within the boundaries of his farm were comprised four hundred and
eighty acres of rich and productive land which he brought to a high state of
cultivation.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 141

Mr. Rodamar not only proved a capable and progressive farmer but also
became an active factor in the public life of the community and was prominent
in the councils of the people of his township, who honored him with election to
the office of county supervisor, in which position he served for a number of years.
He was also auditor of the county for nine years and during that time continued
to carry on the work of the farm, although he made his home in the city while
the incumbent in the office. Following his retirement from official position he
returned to the farm and thereon remained until 19 lO, when he disposed of his
land and took up his abode in Waterloo, where he has since lived retired, enjoying
the fruits of his former toil.

Mr. and Mrs. Rodamar have become the parents of nine children and the
record is a most notable and unusual one in that the family circle yet remains
unbroken. The sons and daughters are : Henry Ward, who is now engaged in
agricultural pursuits at Hood River, Oregon; Ira, who is cashier of the Leavitt
& Johnson National Bank of Waterloo ; Albert, who is engaged in the drug busi-
ness in Baker City, Oregon; Emma, the wife of John Mericle, who is conducting
a lumber yard at Montevideo, Minnesota ; Grace, the head bookkeeper for the
Iowa Manufacturers Association, Waterloo; Lottie, the wife of William Moss,
who is engaged in fruit-raising in the state of Washington ; Alta, the wife of Ira
Blough, cashier of the Iowa State Bank at Waterloo; Lillian, also in the Leavitt
& Johnson National I'ank. Waterloo ; and Hortense, who is a teacher in Iowa
Falls.

Mr. Rodamar is today one of the most highly respected residents of Waterloo.
He has made his home in the county for forty-five years and has therefore wit-
nessed much of its growth and development, while his efiforts have been an ele-
ment in its agricultural progress. He deserves much credit for what he has
accomplished in that he started out empty-handed and through the period of his
youth had no special advantages and opportunities. He possessed a resolute
purpose, however, and the years have brought a success which is the fitting crown
of his persistent, earnest labor.

SIMON J. TEDFORD.

Among the leaders in commercial and financial circles of La Porte City is
Simon J. Tedford, president of the Union State Bank. He was born in Preble
county, Ohio, on the 30th of April, 1851, a son of John L. and Elizabeth (Joh)
Tedford, natives of Ohio and West X'irginia respectively. The father gained a
livelihood for himself and family by farming and cultivated land in Ohio until
1853, in which year he removed to Tama county, Iowa. He became the owner
of a farm there, entering the same from the government, and devoted his time to
agricultural pursuits until he retired from active life. For five years before his
cleath he made his home with his son and on the 12th of January, 1902. passed
to his last reward. His wife had preceded him many years, departing this life
on the 6th of April, 1876.

Simon J. Tedford was but an infant whep his parents took him to Tama
county and there he passed the days of his boyhood and youth. He entered the

142 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

public schools at the usual age and acquired a serviceable education. He
remained upon the farm with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age
and then bought eighty acres of fine land in Tama county, which he improved
and operated for two years, after which he sold out and removed to Kansas.
He remained in the Sunflower state but a short time, however, returning to Iowa
and buying a farm in Benton county. He resided upon this property for twelve
years and made many improvements upon it in that time. His next removal was
to La Porte City, where he engaged in the lumber business for eight years, after
which he retired. He has since resided here, enjoying a life of comparative
leisure. He is interested in a number of business and financial* concerns in the
county and is president of the L^nion State Bank of La Porte City, with which he
has been connected for fourteen years. This position entails upon him considera-
ble responsibility and demands quite a little of his time, but he is so constituted
that a life of inactivity and idleness would be distasteful in the extreme. He is
also a stockholder in the Farmers Loan & Trust Company of Waterloo, president
of the La Porte City Sewer Company, and a stockholder and director in the
Farmers Mutual Insurance Association, which has its headquarters at Waterloo,
Iowa. His business acumen and sound judgment have been of great value in the
management of these companies and his advice is often sought by those who
know his ability to counsel wisely.

On the 2d of March, 1876, Mr. Tedford was married to Miss Sylvia V.
Smith, a daughter of Isaac and Eleanor (Marsh) Smith. Her father was a
native of New York but at an early day removed to Michigan and farmed there
until 1854, when he made his way still farther west, locating in Tama county,
Iowa. He bought land there and devoted the remainder of his active life to its
cultivation. He passed away in 1874 and the demise of his wife occurred in
1904. To Mr. and Mrs. Tedford have been born three children: Belle E., the
wife of R. H. Gardner, a farmer residing in Eagle township, this county; Maude,
at home; and Ora I., the wife of J. W. Kober, who is engaged in the clothing
business in La Porte City.

Mr. Tedford is a progressive republican and at the polls supports the policies
in which he believes. He has served upon the city council for four years and
for several years has been a member of the school board. There are many in
the county who are his loyal friends and those who have known him most inti-
mately value his good opinion most highly and his character is of such sterling
worth that it is most appreciated where best known.

HOWARD M. SMITH.

Howard M. Smith is general superintendent of the Citizens Gas & Electric
Company of Waterloo, in which city he has resided for three and one half years.
His birth occurred near Nashua, but across the line in Bremer county, Iowa, in
1 881, and his boyhood days were spent upon a farm in that county, where he
lived until he had attained his majority, dividing his time between the work of the
fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. At
length he entered the Iowa State College at Ames and was graduated on the

HOWAED M. SMITH

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 145

completion of a course in electrical engineering with the class of 1905. Subse-
quently he spent six months in Hammond, Indiana, with the gas company of
that place and on the expiration of that period went to Mobile, Alabama, where
he remained for four and one-half years with a gas company. On severing that
connection he took up his abode in Waterloo, where he accepted the superin-
tendency of the gas department of the Citizens Gas & Electric Company. Ability,
however, won him advancement and since the ist of January, 1914, he has been
general superintendent of the entire plant.

Waterloo is a growing western city. It has developed rapidly in recent years
and its outlook for the future is bright. Among the organizations which have
been formed to advance its interests and upbuilding are the Commercial Club and
Board of Trade, the Chamber of Commerce and Waterloo Club and the Town
Criers Club, with all of which Mr. Smith is identified. He likes to be in touch
with those hustling activities which are resultant factors in the public welfare
and his efforts in that connection have been far-reaching and beneficial.

In 1907, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Cagley, of Nashua,
and to them has been born a daughter, Dorothy I. The parents are members of
the Congregational church and are well and favorably known in Waterloo, having
gained many warm friends during the comparatively brief period of their residence
here.

BENJAMIN J. HOWREY.

Benjamin J. Howrey is president of the Waterloo Loan & Trust Company
and thus figures prominently in financial circles. No matter in how much fantas-
tic theorizing one may indulge as to the cause of success, careful analysis always
indicates that it is the outcome of persistent purpose intelligently directed, and
such has been the case with Mr. Howrey, who has made wise use of his time,
talents and opportunities.

He is a native son of Black Hawk county, while his father, J. M. Howrey, was
a native of Ohio. The family was founded in Black Hawk county during the
earliest period in its development and John Howrey, an uncle of Benjamin J.
Howrey, helped build the first log cabin erected in East Waterloo. From that
time forward the family name has been closely interwoven with the history of
development and progress in this section of the state. After arriving at years
of maturity J. M. Howrey was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Winsett,
a daughter of Benjamin Winsett, one of the prominent pioneer settlers of this
county.

Reared under the parental roof, Benjamin J. Howrey spent his boyhood and
youth upon the home farm with the usual experiences that come to the country-
bred lad who divides his time and energies between the work of the fields, the
duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. After attending
the public schools and graduating from the high school of Waterloo with the class
of 1888 he became a student in Cornell College and still later matriculated in
the Iowa State University. In the latter institution he became a student in the
law department and also continued his reading with the law firm of Boies, Couch

Vol. II— 8

146 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

& Boies. He had returned from Iowa City to Waterloo in 1892 and for five
years thereafter he devoted much time to school teaching and at the same time
was reading law with the firm of Boies, Couch & Boies. At diflferent periods he
was a teacher in the rural schools, also taught in both high schools in Waterloo
and in the college. In 1897 he successfully passed the required examination that
secured his admission to the bar and entered upon the practice of his profession,
which he followed in Waterloo for about eleven years. While no longer giving
any attention to private practice he still retains membership in both the county
and state bar associations and enters into the discussions relative to the profes-
sion. Mr. Howrey was made vice president of the Waterloo Loan & Trust
Company in igoS, so continuing for three years, during which period he looked
after considerable legal work for the company. In 191 1 he became president
and has assumed various duties from time to time until he is now the directing
head and active manager of the institution. On account of his knowledge of
law he is better equipped for his present business connections, as many matters
come up requiring familiarity with legal lore.

In 1893 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Howrey and Miss Ada C. McStay,
of Waterloo, and to them have been born four children: Harold M., Corinne C,
Benjamin G. and Edward F. Mr. Howrey is president of the Commercial Club
and Board of Trade of Waterloo. He is also a member of the Town Criers
Club and belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias lodge.
He is a member of the Walnut Street Baptist church, has served for a long
period on its official board and for a number of years was president of the board.
He was also superintendent of the Sunday school for ten years and has but
recently resigned that position. He is thus actively interested in the material,
civic, social and moral progress of the community, and his efiforts have been
attended with far-reaching and beneficial results.

ROYAL A. PERKINS.

Royal A. Perkins, vice president of the First National Bank of La Porte
City, is esteemed not only on account of his unquestioned business ability but
also .because of his force of character. He was born in Ohio on the nth of
September, 1840, a son of Edward and Cynthia ( Pixley) Perkins. The father
was a native of New Jersey and the mother of Massachusetts, but for many
years they were residents of Ohio and in 1866 they removed with their family
to Benton county, Iowa. The father gave his active life to the cultivation of
the soil and passed away in 1868, being survived by his widow until 1875.

Royal A. Perkins grew to manhood in Ohio and there acquired a common-
school education. Upon accompanying his parents to Benton county, Iowa, he
purchased land there, which he operated and improved until 1891. In that year
he gave up the actual work of the farm and removed to La Porte City, where
he has since resided. For fifteen years he was president of the First National
Bank and proved a man of resource, energy and good judgment. He retired
from that office three years ago but is an extensive stockholder and also vice
president of the same institution.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 147

On the 25tli of February, 1875, Mr. Perkins was married to Miss Catherine
Gingrich, a daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Hofl'er) Gingrich, both born in
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Her father, who was a carpenter by trade
but also farmed in the Keystone state, died there in 1852, and her mother passed
away in Iowa in 1887.

Mr. Perkins is a Presbyterian in religious belief and politically is an adherent
of the republican party. He is a member of the Masonic lodge and of the Eastern
Star and exemplifies in his life the spirit of helpfulness inculcated by the craft.
He is a stockholder and director in the Electric Light & Water Company of
La Porte City and owns his fine home which he erected. His business ability
has gained him the respect of those with whom he has had dealings and they
likewise esteem him as a man of probity and honor.

GEORGE E. EIGHTY.

Various business and manufacturing interests have felt the stimulus of the
cooperation of George E. Lichty, a man of sound business judgment and
undaunted enterprise, who forms his plans readily and is determined in their
execution. He is well known as the president of the Smith, Lichty & Hillman
Company and is an executive officer in various other business enterprises of
importance which have contributed much to the substantial development and
improvement of the city. For forty-five years he has resided in Waterloo and
throughout the entire period has enjoyed an unassailable reputation for busi-
ness integrity as well as enterprise.

Mr. Lichty was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1857, and was a
youth of thirteen years when in 1870 his parents came with their family to
Waterloo. His education, begun in the schools of the east, was continued in the
pubHc schools of this city. He afterward made his initial step in the business
world as a clerk m a clothing store of Waterloo, m which he was employed for
two years. He afterward spent five years in a grocery store and on the ist of
October, 1879, engaged in the retail grocery business on his own account. Suc-
cess attended the venture and he continued actively therein until the fall of 18S9,
when he organized the Smith, Lichty & Hillman Wholesale Grocery Company,
conducting business at their present location since December, 1896. This has
been a growing enterprise. They have advanced steadily, their trade reaching
out along ramifying lines until it covers a broad territory, demanding extensive
shipments. They have about ninety employes in the Waterloo establishment,
with about twelve traveling salesmen upon the road. Mr. Lichty has long been
the executive head and promoter of this business as president of the company
and yet, important as has been his work in this connection, it by no means limits
the extent of his activities, for many other commercial enterprises have benefited
by his financial support and by his wise judgment, if not by direct executive
control. He is now the president of the Black Hawk Coffee & Spice Company,
president of the Waterloo Canning Company, one of the vice presidents of the
Commercial National Bank, president of the Waterloo Warehouse & Storage
Company and president of the Waterloo Opera House & Theatre Company.

148 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

This gives an indication of the range and breadth of his activities and the diver-
sity of his interests and marks him as one of the foremost business men of the
city.

In 1881 Mr. Lichty was united in marriage to Miss Annie Derrick, of Water-
loo, and unto them have been born six children : Ben R., who is associated with
his father in business, as secretary of the Smith, Lichty & Hillman Company ;
Josephine, the wife of Fred L. Northey, a manufacturer of Waterloo ; Burr G.,
who is also a partner of his father; Jeanne, the wife of H. W. White, of Water-
loo; Florence, the wife of Charles A. Stewart, of San Francisco, California; and
Robert J., who is attending school at Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Lichty takes an active interest in politics on the side of good government,
reform and progress. In Masonry he has attained high rank, being a member
of the Consistory, in which he has reached the thirty-second degree of the Scottish
Rite. He also has membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks
and the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Commercial Club and Board of
Trade and was one of the incorporators of the latter, being connected therewith
for more than a quarter of a century. His position in business circles may be
judged from the fact that he was honored with election to the presidency of the
National Wholesale Grocers Association for the year 191 2- 13. This indicates
that he is widely known among representatives of that line of business, that he
is popular and that his capability is recognized. He belongs to the little group
of distinctively representative business men who have been pioneers in inaugu-
rating and building up the chief industries of this section of the country. He
early had the sagacity and prescience to discern the eminence which the future
had in store for this great and growing region and, acting in accordance with
the dictates of his faith and judgment, he has garnered in the fullness of time the
generous harvest which is the just recompense of indomitable industry, spotless
integrity and marvelous enterprise.

LOUIS S. CASS.

A well known figure in railway circles in Iowa is Louis S. Cass, who since the
fall of 1895 li^s made his home in Waterloo and is the president of the Waterloo,
Cedar Falls & Northern Railroad Company. Opportunity has been to him the
open door through which he has entered to success. He has never over-estimated
nor undervalued his chances but has made wise use of his time and native talents
and thus step by step has progressed.

Mr. Cass was born in Vernon county, Wisconsin, in 1865, and when but six
months old was brought by his parents to Iowa, the family home being estab-
lished in Bremer county, where he was reared to manhood upon a farm. He
acquired his education in the schools of the county and in the Sumner high school
and also attended the Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls and the J. F.
Wallace Commercial College of La Crosse, Wisconsin. For some time he was
engaged in the lumber business at Sumner and from the outset of his career he
has steadily advanced, each forward step bringing him a broader outlook and
wider opportunities.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY ]49

Mr. Cass became connected with railway interests when in 1883 he entered
the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company as tele-
graph operator, becoming later a brakeman on a freight train. He was con-
nected with the Dubuque & Dakota Railroad for some time and later engaged
in the retail lumber business, establishing, owning and controlling four retail
lumberyards in Iowa. At the same time he engaged in the manufacture of cedar
shingles on the Pacific coast, his active connection with the lumber business con-
tinuing from 1885 until 1895. During a part of this time he was also connected
with the Minnesota & Northwestern Railway and was later with the Chicago,
St. Paul & Kansas City Railroad and subsequently with the Chicago Great
Western Railway. While with those companies he acted in various capacities.
He advanced from the position of brakeman to station agent and later became
train conductor, superintendent, assistant general manager, general traffic man-
ager, vice president and chief executive officer to the receiver and signed the
papers transferring the road to the Chicago Great Western Railroad in August,

^909-

In the meantime Mr. Cass had extended his efforts to other lines of activity,

having in 1895 established the Waterloo & Cedar Falls Rapid Transit Railway.
In 1896 he extended the system in W^aterloo, converted the horse-car line into
an electric line and the following year built the line to Cedar Falls. In 1898 he
made further extensions in Waterloo and in 1899 purchased the Cedar Falls &
Normal Gasoline Road, which was operated with a Patton motor. This he
converted into an electric line. In igoi he built the line to Denver, Iowa, and
in 1902 extended it from that place to Denver Junction to connect with the Omaha
division of the Great Western. On the 31st of August, 1909, he severed his
connection with the Chicago Great Western and since then has devoted his entire
time to the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Railway, successor to the Waterloo
& Cedar Falls Rapid Transit Railway. In 1910 he extended the line from Denver
Junction to Waverly and in 191 2 built the road from Waterloo to La Porte
City and the following year from La Porte City to Urbana, while in 1914 the
circuit was completed in the extension of the line from Urbana to Cedar Rapids.
In the building and development of the interurban railway system Mr. Cass has
contributed in large measure to the welfare of those sections through which the
road has passed. His plans have been carefully formulated and promptly exe-
cuted and in all of his business career he has readily discriminated between the
essential and the nonessential.

In addition to his other interests Mr. Cass is a stockholder in the Commercial
National Bank of Waterloo, in the Black Hawk National Bank of Waterloo, in
the Denver Savings Bank of Denver, Iowa, in the Bank of Sumner at Sumner,
Iowa, and in the Tripoli State Bank of Tripoli, Iowa ; is vice president of the
Iowa Real Estate & Investment Company of Waterloo and vice president of
the Cass Farm Company, having two thousand acres of land in Bremer county.
These connections indicate something of the nature and range of his interests
and of the busmess ability and resourcefulness which enable him to carefully
direct the interests of so many different important concerns.

Mr. Cass is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight Templar and a member
of the Mystic Shrine. He also has membership in the Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He is furthermore connected with

150 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

the Commercial Club and Board of Trade, with the Chamber of Commerce and
the Waterloo Club. His pleasant home life had its inception in 1885, in his
marriage to Miss Lillian Emmons, of Sumner, and they have become the par-
ents of two children: Zathoe C, the wife of W. H. Burke, auditor and treasurer
of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Railroad Company ; and one son who
died in infancy.

Throughout this section of Iowa Mr. Cass is spoken of in terms of admira-
tion and respect. His life has been so varied in its activity, so honorable in its
purposes, so far-reaching and beneficial in its effects that it has become an
integral part of the history of Waterloo and has also left an impress upon the
annals of the state. To build up rather than to destroy has ever been his broad
policy and he attacks everything with a contagious enthusiasm.

J. O. TRUMBAUER.

J. O. Trumbauer, capitalist, has won distinction among those whose ability
has gained them leadership in the financial circles of Black Hawk county and this
section of the state. Centuries ago one of the old Greek philosophers said:
"Earn thy reward: the gods give naught to sloth.'' Realizing this truth at the
outset of his career, Mr. Trumbauer has led a most busy life and his enterprise
and diligence have placed him in a position of leadership in banking circles, for
he is now the vice president of the Farmers Loan & Trust Company and vice
president of the Leavitt & Johnson National Bank, one of the oldest financial
institutions of the state.

A native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, he there spent the early years of his
life, coming westward to Iowa in 1879, and settling at Jesup, Buchanan county,
where he spent two years upon a farm. He was afterward connected with
J. A. Laird of Jesup, one of the pioneer merchants of that section, for about
four years and on the expiration of that period went to the west, remaining in
different sections of the west until 1890. In that year he returned to Iowa, set-
tling at Waterloo, after which he traveled for the Fowler Company until Febru-
ary, 1909. On the /th of January of that year, when the Farmers Loan & Trust
Company was organized and began business, he became its vice president and
has since been thus identified with the corporation, contributing largely to its
success through his sound judgment, administrative direction and executive abil-
ity. In 1910 he was chosen vice president of the Leavitt & Johnson National
Bank and for eight years he has been a member of the board of directors of the
First National Bank of Waterloo. He is also the vice president of the Marsh-
Place Company, in which he is associated with C. A. Marsh, A. M. Place, F. J.
Fowler and H. B. Plumb. This company erected the Marsh-Place building, a
six-story reinforced concrete fireproof structure at the corner of Sycamore and
Fifth streets, or in the very business center of Waterloo, and it brings to them
a very substantial income in its rentals. Mr. Trumbauer is also vice president of
the Leavitt & Johnson National Bank Building Company and is financially inter-
ested in a number of the best buildings of Waterloo which have been erected for
business purposes. The company is now erecting a fine bank building sixty-five

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 151

by one hundred and forty feet and ten stories in height. The foundation has
been laid of this structure, which will be the finest building in the city, of steel
construction, fireproof and thoroughly modern in every particular. It will be the
home of the Leavitt & Johnson National Bank, the Farmers Loan & Trust Com-
pany and other important corporations and firms. He is likewise interested in
the Waterloo Loan & Trust Company and the First National Bank Building
Company. He has ever readily recognized opportunities and discriminated
quickly between the essential and the non-essential, and with the passing years
his field of usefulness has constantly broadened and the scope of his activities
has covered a wider range, making his life one of greater usefulness.

Mr. Trumbauer takes an active interest in politics as a good citizen but not
as an office seeker, and his hearty cooperation can be counted upon to further any
movement or measure for the public good. He attends the First Presbyterian
church and is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks. In the latter he has filled all of the chairs and is a past exalted
ruler. He is also a member of the Town Criers Club and of the Commercial Club
and is actively and helpfully interested in all that tends to the upbuilding of
Waterloo, his efforts being an element in making this in many ways one of the
best cities not only of the state but of the middle west. He possesses the enter-
prise which has been the dominant factor in producing the wonderful develop-
ment of this section of the country. He has resolute purpose, courage and
industry and has never feared to venture where favoring opportunity has led the
way, and his record has demonstrated the truth of the saying that success is not
the result of genius or of environment but is the outcome of clear judgment and
experience.

GEORGE F. WILSON.

George F. Wilson, a land agent at Cedar Falls, conducting an extensive busi-
ness in North Dakota properties, was born April 6, 1864, on a farm ten miles
west of the city in which he now makes his home, his parents being Harrison J.'
and Eliza A. (Collier) Wilson, the former a native of Canada and the latter
of Ogle county, Illinois. The father, who always followed farming as a life
work, came to Iowa in the early '50s and settled in Grundy county on land which
he purchased from the government. It was entirely destitute of improvements
when it came into his possession but with characteristic energy he at once began
to develop the fields and in the course of time made it a valuable property. Sub-
sequently he removed to another farm in Fairfield township, Grundy county, and
continued to make his home in that county until his death, which occurred about
the year 1883. His widow is now a resident of Des Moines. Mr. Wilson was
for one term county treasurer of Grundy county but was never a politician in
the sense of ofifice seeking.

George F. Wilson was the second in order of birth in a family of six children
and upon the farm in Fairfield township, Grundy county, he spent the period of
his youth, attending the public schools and aiding his father in the farm work.
At the time when his father became ill he took charge of the old homestead and

152 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

managed the work of developing the fields until his father's death eight months
later. He afterward continued upon the homestead for two years, at the end of
which time an older brother, Ira J. Wilson, took charge of the farm and to him
George F. Wilson sold his interests. He then went to Bridgewater, South Dakota,
in 1886, seeking to improve his impaired health by a change of climate. There
he again engaged in farming until 1891, when he took up his abode in the town
of Bridgewater, where he established a harness business and later engaged in
draying and in the livery business. He sold out there in 1893 ^"^ returned to
Iowa, taking up his abode in Cedar Falls, where he worked at the carpenter's
trade with his brother, who was a building contractor.

In February, 1894, however, ]\Ir. Wilson embarked in the real-estate business,
handling property in Cedar Falls and its vicinity. He also established an insur-
ance agency, handling both fire and life insurance for a time, but afterward
dropped the latter. In 1905 he homesteaded in Stark county, North Dakota,
where he resided for a year and a half, receiving the title to his land. With
the exception of that period he has been engaged continuously in the real-estate
business in Cedar Falls during the past twenty years and now handles land in
Iowa, }^Iinnesota and North Dakota. He is now the individual owner of eight
hundred and forty acres of land in North Dakota and has two thousand acres
under his control. He devotes his entire time to the business and when in North
Dakota makes his headquarters at Bismarck. He has the greatest possible faith
in the future of the state and is doing much through colonization for its develoj)-
ment.

On the 6th of March, 1889, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Effie
J. Burgess, a native of Grundy county and a daughter of James H. and ^Martha
(Wilcox) Burgess, who were early settlers of Fairfield township, that county,
but both are now deceased. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wil-
son: Clarke L. V'., who is attending college and assists his father in business;
Inez F., who is also acting as her father's assistant ; and Mina B. and Roger \'.,
both in school. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson hold membership with the Tribe of Ben
Hur and the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In poli-
tics Mr. Wilson is a progressive republican. He keeps well informed on the
questions and issues of the day and is ever ready to support his position by
intelligent argument, but does not seek political preferment, as his time is fully
occupied with his business affairs. His cooperation has been felt as a beneficial
factor in movements for the upbuilding of Cedar Falls as w^ell as of North
Dakota.

E. A. LEIGHTON.

On the roster of public officials in the city of Waterloo appears the name of
E. A. Leighton, who is now chief of police and as such is a stalwart custodian of
the public peace, doing everything in his power to promote the interests of the
city on the side of law and order. He was bom in Osage, Mitchell county, Iowa,
in 1872 and was there reared and educated, passing through consecutive grades in
the public schools until he was graduated from the high school. He afterward

E. A. LEIGHTOX

Tflft, LfeNQk''-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 155

entered the Iowa State College at Ames, where he continued his studies, and
when he had left school he accepted a position as guard in the Iowa State peni-
tentiary, remaining in that position for eight years. Later he spent two years in
Osage and in 1902 came to Waterloo, where he has since maintained his resi-
dence. For a year he acted as foreman for the Kemp Manufacturing Company and
at the end of that time became a member of the Waterloo police department,
serving as patrolman for six years, after which he was appointed chief of the
department by Mayor Doty. He acted in that capacity for two years and then
became deputy sheriff of Black Hawk county for two years. In 191 1 he was ap-
pointed chief of police by Mayor Thompson and he is now serving for the second
term in that office. He carefully safeguards the interests of the law-abiding public
and has prosecuted crime with such diligence that his name has become a terror
to all law breakers.

In 1894 Mr. Leighton was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Pegg, of
Osage, Iowa, and they have one son, Russell A. The family attend the Methodist
Episcopal church and Mr. Leighton holds membership with the Masons, the
Knights of Pythias and the Moose. He is also a member of the Town Criers
Club. Through the period of his residence in Waterloo he has become widely and
favorably known and he possesses attractive social qualities which render him
very popular.

JACOB F. HUPPEiiT.

Jacob F. Huppert is a representative citizen and enterprising agriculturist of
Black Hawk county, residing on section 30, Cedar township. His birth occurred
in Will county, Illinois, on the 21st of July, 1866, his parents being Jacob and
Susan ( Templin) Huppert, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Penn-
sylvania. Jacob Huppert was born in 1843 — three months after the arrival of
his parents in the United States. In an early day he accompanied them to
Illinois, in which state he followed farming for seventeen years, on the expira-
tion of which period the family home was established in Benton county, Iowa.
There he purchased land which he cultivated successfullv until 1898, when he
came to Black Hawk county, here carrying on general agricultural pursuits until
called to his final rest in July, 1903. His widow survives at the age of sixty-seven
years and keeps house for her son Jacob. To them were born ten children, as
follows: Jacob F., of this review; Henry U., who is deceased; Edwin A., an
agriculturist of Benton county, this state; Eldora, who is the wife of C. D. Brom
and resides in South Dakota ; Lizzie A., who gave her hand in marriage to W.
L. Palmer, of Tama county, Iowa; L. Elsworth, living in British Columbia;
James E., who follows farming in Benton county, this state ; Roy E., a resident
of Buchanan county, Iowa ; Zepha E., who is the wife of J. W. Morrison, a
farmer of Cedar township, this county; and Alice, who is the wife of Robert
Kerr, living in Lincoln township, this county.

Jacob F. Huppert was three years of age when his parents removed to Ben-
ton county, Iowa, and was there reared and educated. He remained at home
until he had attained his majority and subsequently cultivated rented land for

156 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

six years, on the expiration of which period he purchased a farm of two hundred
and twelve acres in Emmet county, Iowa. He operated the place for four years
and then lost everything because of crop failure and the attendant hard times.
Returning to Benton county, he there continued farming for a year and at the
end of that time came to Black Hawk county, operating the Hood farm for three
years. Subsequently he spent a year farming in Orange township, this county,
and then rented the Minnie Cripper farm on section 30, Cedar township, which
he has operated continuously and successfully for the past twelve years. He
owns two hundred and twenty-three acres of land in [Missouri and is widely
recognized as one of the enterprising and substantial citizens of his adopted
county. In connection with the cultivation of cereals he devotes considerable
attention to live stock, keeping high grade shorthorn and Angus cattle, Duroc
Jersey and Chester White hogs and fourteen head of Percheron horses.

Mr. Huppert is a republican in his political views and has recently been
elected trustee of Cedar township, ably servmg in that position at the present
time. He had been previously chosen for township offices but did not qualify.
His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, the teachings of which
he exemplifies in his daily life, and in his home community he enjoys that warm
personal friendship and kindly esteem which are always given in recognition of
genuine worth in the individual.

E. L. STOVER.

E. L. Stover, secretary of the Dart Motor Truck Company of Waterloo, in
which city he has maintained his home through the past decade, was born in
Hamilton county, Iowa, in 1883, a son of Joseph A. Stover, who for thirty-three
years was a resident of Hamilton county and there passed away in 1910, at
which time he was auditor of the county. He always took an active interest
in politics and held various local offices, the duties of which he discharged with
credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Early in life he devoted
his time and energies to farming and later was for a number of years engaged
in the hardware and implement business at Blairsburg, Hamilton county. He
was afterward called to public office and at the time of his death the county lost
one of its trustworthy officials and representative citizens. He had been a resi-
dent of Illinois before removing to Iowa. His widow, who bore the maiden
name of Bertha U. Smith, survives and now makes her home in Waterloo. They
were the parents of E. L. Stover.

The last named passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native county
and the public-school system of that county afforded him his early educational
privileges, which were supplemented, however, by an opportunity to attend
Drake University — an opportunity that he eagerly embraced. For three years
he engaged in teaching school in his native county and for two years engaged
in the art of photography. At the end of that time he accepted a position in
the office of the Litchfield Manufacturing Company of Waterloo, Iowa, with
whom he remained for six years. He afterward spent one year in Omaha and
then returned to Waterloo, at which time he became connected with the Dart

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 157

Manufacturing Company as vice president and secretary. In 1914 that company
was succeeded by the Dart Motor Truck Company, which was incorporated with
a capital stock of six hundred thousand dollars, much of which has been paid
up. The present officers of the company are: C. W. Hellen, president; C. C.
Wolf, of Parkersburg, treasurer; and E. L. Stover, secretary. In this connec-
tion Mr. Stover is bending his energies to administrative direction and executive
control. He is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the business and is thus
qualified to direct the interests of the company, which today is conducting an
extensive and growing enterprise, its ramifying trade connections already cover-
ing a wide territory. Its shipments are increasing continuously and the business
is now one of the profitable productive industries of Waterloo.

In 1905 Mr. Stover was united in marriage to Miss Ruby L. De France, of
Flamilton county, and they have become parents of three children, Claire D.,
Evelyn C. and Lois A. Mr. Stover is connected with the Knighfs of Pythias,
the Knights of the Maccabees, the Commercial Club and Board of Trade, and
the Town Criers Club. These membership relations, as well as his business
connections, have made him widely known in Waterloo and his salient character-
istics are such as have gained for him the warm regard and good-will of all with
whom he has been brought in contact.

CLINTON G. HOLDEN.

The life record of Clinton G. Holden may well be an inspiration to others,
for it indicates what may be accomplished when laudable ambition points out
the way and energy and determination constitute the salient features of an active
career. Mr. Holden is the vice president of the Horton-Holden Hotel Com-
pany and is the manager of the Russell Lamson Hotel, one of the finest hotels
not only in the state but in the entire country. His residence in Waterloo covers
only a year and a half, but this space of time has been sufiicient to establish him
in the public regard as a progressive business man.

A native of Erie, Pennsylvania, he was born in 1873 and was reared in that
state, its public-school system afi^ording him his educational privileges. He has
been connected with hotel life for nearly a quarter of a century. He made his
initial step in that direction at the Reed House of Erie, and afterward became
connected with the Palace Hotel at North East, Pennsylvania. He then had
twenty years' experience in connection with club management, being for four
years manager of the University Club of Cleveland, Ohio, and for three and a
half years secretary of the Union Club of that city. On the expiration of that
period he resigned his position and went to Chicago to become manager of the
University Club of the latter city. He remained in that capacity for five and a
half years and then accepted the position of manager of the Russell Lamson
Hotel of Waterloo. He has now directed its interests for a year and a half and
has made it one of the most popular hostelries in the state. Methods employed
in the largest and finest city hostelries are here utilized for the comfort of the
guests and the Russell Lamson Hotel would be a credit to a city many times the
size of Waterloo. Mr. Holden is also interested in several other business under-

158 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

takings, being now the vice president of the Mcintosh Ranch & Orchard of
Derby, Montana; president of the ElHs Drug Company of Waterloo; and presi-
dent of the Iowa Hotel Keepers Association. His life has been an active one
fraught with good results, and his business affairs have met with merited reward.
Mr. Holden has attained high rank in Masonry, having reached the thirty-
second degree of the York Rite. He was very promuient in Masonic circles in
Cleveland and he was a member of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise has mem-
bership with the Elks; is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, of the Water-
loo Club and the Commercial Club and Board of Trade, of Waterloo : the Chi-
cago Athletic Club, Chicago; and the Masonic Club of Cleveland. He was
eagerly welcomed into membership in the Waterloo organizations, for his fame
as a progressive, enterprising man had preceded him. Moreover, it took but a
brief time to convince his fellow townsmen of his worth and ability and to recog-
nize the fact that he is the possessor of many well developed and valuable ideas
having to do with business progress and with the upbuilding of his city.

DAMD M. MITCHELL.

David M. Mitchell is among those who at the time of the Civil war volun-
teered to fight for his country and aid in the preservation of the Union. He is
now residing in La Porte City and has an interest in a number of local com-
mercial and industrial concerns. He was born in Maine, in December, 1845. ^
son of Otis and Mehetabcl (Preble) Mitchell, both likewise natives of the Pine
Tree state. The father, who was a painter and decorator by trade, removed
from Maine to Springfield, Illinois, at an early date in the history of the Prairie
state, and later went to Mendota, Illinois, thence to Ottawa, that state, and sub-
sequently to Manchester, Iowa. He resided there until 1855 ^'"^^ then came to
La Porte City, which remained his home until his death, which occurred in 1888
when he was eighty-one years of age. His wife died in 1872.

David M. Mitchell remained at home with his parents and gained a good
education by attending the public schools. He completed the course offered in
La Porte City and was just ready to enter college when war was declared. The
need of the nation dwarfed all private interests and in 1862 he enlisted in the
Eighteenth Iowa Infantry. On the disbandment of that organization after three
months he reenlisted, becoming a member of Company D, Thirty-first Iowa
Infantry. He served for three years with the latter command and participated
in many hard fought engagements, including the siege of Yicksburg and the
battle of Lookout Mountain. Being exposed to all kinds of weather brought on
a bone disease which has afflicted him since 1874. After being mustered out at
Davenport in 1865 he returned to La Porte City and worked at painting and
decorating, as he had iearned that trade from his father. However, after a
few years he was compelled to give up an active life and since 1874 has been or>
crutches. Since 1874 he has resided at La Porte City and has just erected a fine
modern home at the cost of eight thousand dollars. He also owns considerable
other property here and is a stockholder in the Union State Bank and a stoclc-
holder and director in the Syndicate block of La Porte City.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 159

Mr. Mitchell was married in 1868 to Miss Lucy Edsil, a daughter of Milkr
and Mary (Bailey) Edsil, natives of Ohio who came to La Porte City in 1865.
Her father was a man of considerable wealth and had practically retired at the
time of his arrival here. He served as justice of the peace in La Porte City for
many years and was well known. On the 30th of October, 1883, he passed to
his reward, having survived his wife for two years, her demise occurring on
the 9th of May, 1881. Mrs. Mitchell was an invalid for many years and her
demise occurred in 1899. By her marriage to our subject she became the mother
of one child, Maude, who died on the 22d of March, 1869. On the i8th of
September, 1904, Mr. Mitchell married Miss Mary J. Krebs, a daughter of
Martin and Mary C. (Reichard) Krebs, natives of New York and Germany,
respectively. Mr. Krebs, who was a farmer, came to Black Hawk county at an
early day and was an enterprising and successful agriculturist until 1899, when
he retired and removed to La Porte City, where he and his wife now reside.

Mr. Mitchell is a Presbyterian in his religious affiliation and politically sup-
ports the republican party. He has always taken a great interest in the affairs
of the Grand Army of the Republic and organized M. F. Thompson Post, No.
187, of La Porte City. He still holds his membership therein and greatly en-
joys the association with his old comrades thus made possible. In the many
years of peace that have intervened since the close of the Civil war he has
demonstrated that his patriotism has not lessened and his public-spirited, upright
life has been an example of the service that men can render their country in
times when there is no special stress or peril.

W. H. BICKLEY, M. D.

Dr. \\\ H. Bickley, a successful practitioner of medicine and surgery in
Waterloo, his native city, was born in 1876, a son of E. G. Bickley, a well known
resident of Orange township, Black Hawk county. His birth occurred in Mey-
ersdale, Pennsylvania, and with his parents he came to Iowa in 1861, the family
home being established m Orange township. He was a son of E. K. Bickley,
who first came to Black Hawk county in 1855 and entered considerable land for
himself and friends. At that time there were no railroads in this section of the
state and they had to drive across the country from Chicago. The Bickley s were
farming people and E. K. Bickley was also a bishop of the Dunkard church in
its pioneer days. E. G. Bickley was largely reared upon the frontier and shared
with the family in the hardships and privations which fell to the lot of the
frontier settlers. It was in this county that he was united in marriage to Miss
Arabelle Shrock, who died in 1901. There were but two children in the family,
the daughter being Alice Bickley.

The son. Dr. W. H. Bickley, was reared upon the home farm with the usual
experiences that fall to the lot of the country-bred boy. He worked in the
fields through the summer months and in the winter seasons attended the district
schools for some time, but afterward entered the high school of West Waterloo,
from which he was graduated with the class of 1894. During that period he
continued to live upon the farm, driving four miles to and from school. He

160 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he followed until 1896,
but regarded that merely as an initial step to other professional labor. It was
his desire to prepare for the practice of medicine and surgery and with that end
in view he became a student in the medical department of the State University
of Iowa, in which he pursued his studies for two years. He next entered the
New York Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, from which he was
graduated in 1900. He spent the succeeding year as an interne in the Metropoli-
tan Hospital of New York on Blackwell's Island and gained broad knowledge
and experience such as comes only from hospital practice. The following year
was spent in travel throughout the United States, at the end of which time he
returned to Waterloo, where he has since been located. In 19 12 he went abroad
and attended clinics in Berlin, Vienna and London and he also traveled exten-
sively over the European continent. He had the opportunity of studying the
methods of some of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world
and his ability was greatly augmented by the knowledge which he gained in
attendance at the European clinics. LTpon his return he resumed the private
practice of his profession and is today accounted one of its foremost representa-
tives in Waterloo. A liberal practice is accorded him and his efforts have been
attended with substantial success. He furthers his knowledge through his mem-
bership in the Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa State, Austin Flint and
Cedar Valley Medical Societies and in the American Medical Association and
moreover he is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has been
honored with the presidency of the Waterloo Medical Society, a fact which
indicates his high standing among his professional brethren in the city in which
he makes his home.

In 1902 Dr. Bickley was united in marriage to Miss Beulah \'ick, of St.
Louis, a great-granddaughter of Newett Vick, who w-as the founder of \'icks-
burg, Mississippi. Dr. and Mrs. Bickley have one child. Robert Crippen. The
parents hold membership in the First Brethren church and Dr. Bickley also be-
longs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knights Templar
degree, to the Knights of Pythias and to the Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks. He is a representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of the county,
represented here through sixty years, and the work for material and moral
progress instituted by his grandfather and continued by his father is being still
further carried on by him. He is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, as
well as an able physician and surgeon and has won for himself a most creditable
place in public regard.

' CLINTON P. SHOCKLEY.

Clinton P. Shockley is a leading architect of Waterloo and many of the fine
structures erected in this city in recent years stand as monuments to his profes-
sional skill and ability. Iowa claims him as a native son, his birth having oc-
curred in Vinton in 1880. There he remained through the period of his minority
and he supplemented the knowledge gained in the grammar schools by a course
in the high school of Vinton. He then went to Chicago, where he entered the

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 161

Armour Institute of Technology and was graduated from that institution in
1904. He then returned to Iowa, setthng at Waterloo, where he has since made
his home, covering a period of more than ten years. His natural ability was
developed through his study and he is continually broadening his knowledge
through the reading of architect's journals, through experience and investigation.
He had engaged in his profession for only a brief period when his skill and
talent were recognized, gaining for him a liberal and growing patronage. He
has been the architect of the Manual Training high, school, the Walnut Street
Baptist church and the James Black building, one of the largest buildings in the
state, in which he has offices on the seventh floor. He and Mr. Cleveland were
associated in making the plans for the Iowa building for the Panama-Pacific
Exposition to be held in San Francisco in 191 5. Going to that city, Mr. Shock-
ley there completed the plans and the result. is one of the finest state buildings
which will be seen upon the grounds of that exposition. He has been the archi-
tect and builder of numerous commercial houses and fine residences, including
the palatial home of H. L. Litchfield, on Logan avenue, and the homes of Dr.
Small, Samuel Pinkerton and Fred L. Worthey. While architecture is his chief
business, Mr. Shockley is also connected with other interests and enterprises,
and the scope of his activities covers a broad range.

In 1909 Mr. Shockley was united in marriage to Miss Jeanette L. Redfern,
of Galena, Illinois, and they have one child, Pauline Redfern. Mr. Shockley
belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the
Commercial Club and Board of Trade and the Iowa Chapter, American Institute
of Architects. In his hours of leisure he is invariably a most congenial and
companionable gentleman. In business connections he is alert and energetic,
and wide study and experience have brought him to a position among the lead-
ing architects of the state. He has learned to wisely use his time and improve
his opportunities and has based his advancement upon an intimate, accurate
knowledge of the great scientific principles which underlie his chosen life work,
as well as of the practical phases of the business.

LILLIE A. ARNETT, M. D.

Dr. LilHe A. Arnett, successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in
Cedar Falls, her duties in this connection being discharged with a high sense of
conscientious obligation, is a native of Whiteside county, Illinois, and a daughter
of Phillip Somers and Elizabeth (Wagner) Arnett. The father is also a native
of Whiteside county but the mother's birth occurred in Germany. Mr. Arnett
has ever made farming his life work and has spent his entire life in Whiteside
county, living yet upon the old homestead upon which he was born and which
his father had purchased from the government in pioneer times. As the years
have passed on he has bent his efforts to the further development and improve-
ment of the property, but at the time of the Civil war put aside all business and
personal considerations and joined the army as a member of the Ninth Illinois
Cavalry, with which he enlisted as a private of Company F in 1864. He was
mustered out the following year and then returned to the old homestead, which

162 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

has since been his place of residence. He has Hved to witness many changes in
the county of his nativity and has always borne his part in the work of advance-
ment and improvement. To him and his wife were born ten children, two of
whom are deceased.

Dr. Arnett was the third in order of birth. After attending the comitry
schools she continued her education in the schools of Geneseo. Illinois, and
later entered the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, becoming a student in
the regular department of medicine. She has since done post-graduate work in
Chicago and has always kept in touch with the advanced thought of the profes-
sion. She was graduated at Iowa City with the class of 1904 and the same year
began practice in Cedar Falls. After a few months, however, she returned to
Whiteside county, Illinois, where she followed her profession for about three
years. The succeeding year was spent in study and in rest, after which she
located for practice at Nemaha, Iowa. After a short time, however, she went
to Chicago, where she took up post-graduate work and in 19 10 she came to
Cedar Falls, where she has since remained. She continues in the general prac-
tice of medicine and has been accorded a large and growing patronage. She
devotes her entire time to her professional duties and her work has been attended
with a substantial measure of success. She is now a member and secretary of
the Cedar Falls Medical Society and at one time was president of that organiza-
tion. She belongs also to the Black Hawk County Medical Society, the Iowa
State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

Dr. Arnett holds membership in the Eastern Star. She is also connected with
the Woman's Club and is much interested in vital civic questions. She was one
of the fifteen women who helped to incorporate the Hemenway playground in
Cedar Falls and she has done much for the benefit and interests of the public
along various lines. Her religious faith is that of the Congregational church and
as one of its members she takes an active and helpful interest in its various
phases of work.

CORTLANDT FIELD FOWLER.

Cortlandt Field Fowler is the president of the Fowler Company, wholesale
grocers of Waterloo, and is practically the father of the wholesale interests of
the city in that he was the pioneer in the establishment of wholesale enterprises
here. He has long been recognized as a man of progressive spirit and his initiative
has been a strong and forceful element in the success of various business con-
cerns with which he is connected as an officer or director. Opportunity tauntingly
plays before the dreamer, but succumbs to the efiforts of the determined, ener-
getic man, yielding its fruits to those who will brook no obstacles. It has been
through the ready recognition and wise use of his opportunities that Cortlandt
F. Fowler has advanced to the position of prominence which he now occupies
in commercial circles of central Iowa. He dates his residence in Waterloo from
1869 and in all the intervening years has been a factor in the upbuilding and
progress of the city as well as in the advancement of his individual interests.

COETLANDT F. FOWLER

r. 6

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 165

A native of New York, Mr. Fowler was born at East Henrietta, Monroe
county, on the 9th of June, 1845, his parents being Vincent and Rebecca Fowler.
He began his education in the schools of Hinckleyville and Adams Basin and
afterward attended the Parma Institute of Parma, New York, where the family
lived. His father was a miller by trade and followed that pursuit in various
places, his last mill being at Hinckleyville, a mile north of Adams Basin, New
York. He followed milling from boyhood until 1857, when he removed to a
farm on the noted Ridge road, thirteen miles west of Rochester and two miles
west of Parma Corners. There he remained for a quarter of a century, until
he removed in the '80s to Spencerport, New York, where his death occurred in
191 1, at the advanced age of ninety-one.

While the family resided on the farm Cortlandt F. Fowler attended an
academy through the winter months, while the summer seasons were devoted to
the work of the fields. When about seventeen years of age he embarked upon
his first commercial venture, which was in shipping fruit to Boston and later
down the Hudson river, and although but a youth in years he proved his capabil-
ity as a factor in business circles by the competent and able manner in which he
managed his afifairs. He was twenty-three years of age when, in 1868, he came
to the west, settling in Waterloo, where he became interested in the nursery busi-
ness with A. T. Lane, thereby becoming a partner in the firm of Lane & Fowler.
In August of the same year he returned to his old home at Parma, New York,
and there in April, 1869, was united in marriage to Miss Delphene M. Amadon.

The wedding journey of the young couple consisted of a trip to Waterloo and
from that time forward Mr. Fowler has been closely and prominently associated
with the business interests and development of the city. His initial step toward
the wholesale grocery trade was of a most fiurnble. character — the sale of a few
barrels of vinegar shipped from his old home town: Gradually he worked into
the wholesale grocery business and today is president of the Fowler Company,
which controls a business representing an investment in the building and stock
of more than three hundred thousand dollars. He had made considerable progress
along business lines in Waterloo when his infant son, Martin Vincent, passed away
at the age of six months. It is said that troubles never come singly and so it
seemed with Mr. Fowler, for on the 15th of April, 1872, his wife passed away.
Leaving his business affairs in the care of his brother, George V. Fowler, C. F.
Fowler returned to his old home in New York, where part of the summer season
was passed in a much needed rest. In the fall of that year he again took up his
abode in Waterloo and has since been at the head of the wholesale grocery firm,
the business of which has developed year by year until it is one of the most im-
portant commercial enterprises of the state. His trade interests and connections
have constantly broadened and the business today extends over a wide territory.

Mr. Fowler has ever been the guiding spirit in this enterprise and in demon-
strating the fact that a wholesale grocery house could be successfully maintained
and developed at Waterloo his career became an example for others until this
city is today an important wholesale center. Aside from his interests in that
business Mr. Fowler is a director of the Waterloo & Cedar Falls Union Mills
Company, a director of the First National Bank of Waterloo, a director of the
Waterloo Canning Company and is financially or officially interested in various
other business concerns which figure prominently in the upbuilding, progress and

Vdl. II— 9

166 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

development of the city. He has made extensive and judicious investments in real
estate and is now interested in four business" blocks on Lafayette street between
Fourth and Fifth streets.

On the 26th of February, 1880, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Fowler and
Miss Julia Clark, the daughter of a prominent farmer of Brockport, New York.
After a happy married life of nineteen years Mrs. Fowler passed away March 13,
1899, her death resulting from an operation performed in St. Luke's Hospital,
Chicago.

There is no resident of this city who has taken a deeper or more sincere in-
terest in its upbuilding and development. Whenever a project has been promul-
gated for the benefit of the city it has received his hearty cooperation and support.
He was largely instrumental in developing the excellent park system of Waterloo,
serving for an extended period as a member of the park commission board, of
which he was chairman for six or eight years. He is a member of Grace Metho-
dist Episcopal church, and he is serving on the official board. He was largely
instrumental in securing the erection of the new church, which is one of the
finest church edifices of the state, and he was the largest contributor to the building
fund. He is a member of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade. His activi-
ties have touched the general interests of society in many ways and always to
the benefit and advancement of the community. In manner he is pleasant, genial
and courteous and he is known as a most charitable man, giving generously to
those in need and to benevolent institutions. His personal characteristics have
won him high regard and there is no more popular or valued citizen in all Black
Hawk county than Cortlandt F. Fowler. Moreover, his life record may well
serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may
be accomplished when there is the will to dare and to do and standing as in-
controvertible proof of the fact that success and an honored name may be won
simultaneously.

T. O. KNOX.

J. O. Knox is the president and manager of the Waterloo Register Company
and has other commercial connections that entitle him to rank with the leading
business men of the city. He is a native son of \\'aterloo, born in 1878. His
father. Dr. O. S. Knox, came to Black Hawk county about 1S66 and engaged in
the practice of medicine here for a number of years, being an active representa-
tive of the profession until his death. His wife bore the maiden name of Agnes
Manson and to them were born two children, R. M. and I. O., twins. The former
is now manager of the Iowa Spreader & Engine Company of Waterloo.

The two boys were reared and educated in Waterloo, attending the public
schools and afterward becoming students in the Shattuck Military Academy at
Faribault, Minnesota. J. O. Knox made his initial step in the business world as
an employe of the Waterloo Saddlery Company and was actively connected with
that business for nine or ten years. He purchased stock in the enterprise and
is still financially interested, but in 1904 he directed his energies toward the
upbuilding of the Waterloo Register Company, of which he has since been the

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 167

president and manager, with F. J. Eighmey as secretary and treasurer and W.
L. Carter as vice president and superintendent of the plant. They engage in
the manufacture of registers, furnaces and furnace supplies and their business
has now reached extensive and gratifying proportions. Their factory comprises
three buildings at Nos. 110-112 Rath street and they employ from twenty to
twenty-five workmen. Mr. Knox is also interested in the Iowa Spreader Cit
Engine Company. The progressive policy which he has instituted in the con-
duct of his business has proven substantially resultant. Excellence of work-
manship and durability are characteristics of the output and honorable business
methods have won for the house an enviable reputation.

In 1903 Mr. Knox was united in marriage to Miss Florence Clay, of Cedar
Falls, Iowa, and they have a son, John Clay. Mr. Knox holds membership in
the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and he belongs also to the Masonic
lodge and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, exemplifying in his life the
beneficent spirit on which those organizations rest. He is well known in Water-
loo, where his entire life has been passed, and he has made for himself a credit-
able position in business circles. He had no special advantages at the outset of
his career but he recognized the fact that industry and energy^ are a sure founda-
tion upon which to build advancement and he has ever employed those qualities
in the attainment of success and the creditable position in business circles which
is now accorded him by the consensus of public opinion.

L. D. MILLER.

L. D. Miller is the secretary and treasurer of the Crystal Ice & Fuel Com-
pany and as such occupies a creditable position in the business circles of Water-
loo, in which city he has made his home for a quarter of a century. Attractive
personal qualities as well as business enterprise have made him widely and
favorably known and he has a large circle of w^arm friends here. For forty-
six years he has lived in Black Hawk county, being but an infant when his
parents left their home in Cook county, Illinois, where he was born, and brought
their family to Black Hawk county. He is a son of Christ and Elizabeth (Welter)
Miller, who arrived in this section of the state in 1867, after which the father
was for many years actively engaged in business at Gilbertville, wh«re he passed
away several years ago. His wife died about five or six years ago.

L. D. Miller was reared at Gilbertville and was employed in his father's
store until about twenty years of age, when he came to Waterloo and entered
the employ of the Smith, Lichty & Hillman Company, wholesale grocers, with
whom he was connected for about twenty years. He entered their employ as
driver of one of the wagons, later was advanced to the position of shipping clerk,
and in 1893 went upon the road as traveling representative of the house. From
the beginning he thoroughly mastered every task assigned to him and thus de-
veloped the power and ability to meet the increased responsibilities which came
with promotion. He remained with the firm until 1906 and then after twenty
years' connection with the house resigned, to the deep regret of his employers.
He was, however, ambitious to engage in business on his own account and hav-

168 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

ing been, in 1901, one of the organizers of the Waterloo Ice & Fuel Company,
he in 1906, in connection with J. F. Simpson, bought out the interests of the
other stockholders in the concern. The business had been reorganized the pre-
vious year under the name of the Crystal Ice & Fuel Company and since 1907
Mr. Miller has been the secretary and treasurer. This business now has a
liberal patronage, its annual sales of both ice and fuel reaching a creditable and
gratifying figure. Aside from his interests therein Mr. Miller is a stockholder
in the Commercial National Bank of Waterloo.

On the 7th of June, 1893, ^^^- ^liHer was united in marriage to Miss Helena
Weber, of Fox township, Black Hawk county, and they have become the parents
of three children : Roger C, who is a student in St. Mary's College at St.
Marys, Kansas ; and Celeste and Evelyn, both at home.

^Ir. Miller and his family are communicants of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic
church and he holds membership in die Knights of Columbus, the Foresters and
the Elks. Diligence and determination have been the basic elements in his busi-
ness career, winning for him the success which he now enjoys. Practically his
entire life has been spent in Black Hawk county, where he is well known, and
the twenty-five years of his residence in Waterloo have established him as a
resourceful, enterprising and representative business man.

THURMAN D. TEETER.

Thurman D. Teeter, a worthy native son, enterprising citizen and represen-
tative agriculturist of Black Hawk county, now owns and operates an excellent
farm embracing one hundred and sixty-eight acres on section 17, Spring Creek
township. His birth occurred in that township on the 21st of January, 1862,
his parents being Daniel and Emaline (Clark) Teeter, both of whom were
natives of Bedford county, Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa in 1852 and the
father taught school in the southern part of the state until the following year,
when he took up his abode in Black Hawk county, entering and improving a
quarter section of land in Spring Creek township, the cultivation of which
claimed his attention throughout the remainder of his life. His demise, which
occurred January 13, 1903, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for
he had won an extensive circle of warm friends throughout the community which
was his home for a half century. His widow, who is now eighty-three years of
age and resides in Waterloo, also enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance
here.

Thurman D. Teeter was reared and educated in this county and remained
under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, when he began working as
a farm hand for others. Subsequently he cultivated rented land for five years
and on the expiration of that period purchased property which he later sold,
then buying another farm of which he also disposed. The place on which he
now resides is the third farm which has been in his possession and eml)races
one hundred and sixty-eight acres on section 17, Spring Creek township, which
he has operated continuously for the past thirteen years and has brought under
a high state of cultivation and improvement. He likewise owns land in North

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 169

Dakota and is a stockholder in the Farmers Savings Bank of La Porte City and
the Farmers Western Land Company of Waterloo. His interests have been
carefully directed and he has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of
the prosperous and representative citizens of his native county.

On the 5th of March, 1886, Mr. Teeter was united in marriage to ^liss
Jennie Broad, a daughter of James and Polly ( Wells j Broad, who were natives
of Kentucky and Ohio respectively. They took up their abode among the
pioneer settlers of Black Hawk county in the "60s and here the father carried
on farming and biacksmithing until his demise in 1891. The mother survives
and makes her home in Spring Creek township. ^Ir. and Mrs. Teeter are the
parents of two children: Ray E., who is twenty-six years of age and follows
fanning in Spring Creek township ; and Glenn C, who is twenty years old and
resides at home.

Mr. Teeter gives his political allegiance to the democracy and for ten years
has ably served in the capacity of assessor, still holding that office at the present
time. He has also acted as secretary of the school board for the past eighteen
years and was elected county supervisor from the fifth district November 3,
1914. His religious faith is that of the Christian church, the teachings of which
he exemplifies in his daily life. He has remained a resident of Black Hawk
county from his birth to the present time and in its progress takes an active
interest, giving his hearty support from time to time to movements for the gen-
eral welfare, and personally he has always commanded and held the confidence
and high regard of all who are associated with him.

R. C. SINNARD.

The name of Sinnard Brothers is respected as a standard for enterprise and
progressiveness in connection with the retail grocery trade of Waterloo, for this
firm, of which R. C. Sinnard is one of the partners, controls the leading stores
of the kind in the city. They have two establishments, one at No. 320 East
Fourth street and the other at 216 \\'est Fourth street. For fourteen years R.
C. Sinnard has been a resident of Waterloo and is today accounted one of its
foremost merchants, a position to which he has attained through his own etlorts

and ability.

Iowa, however, claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in
Wapello county in 1877. He was reared ni the place of his nativity and is in-
debted to the public-school system for the educational advantages which he en-
joyed. On leaving ^^'apello county he came to \\'aterloo and for nine years was
employed in the grocery store of Charles Eighmey, during which period he
gained comprehensive knowledge of every phase of the business and gradually
worked his way upward, enjoying the full confidence of his employer. He was
ambitious, however, to engage in business on his own account and during that
period he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economical expendi-
ture had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to embark in business on
his own account. Fie joined his brother, L. P. Sinnard, in organizing the present
firm of Sinnard Brothers and they opened a grocery store on East Fifth street,

170 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

where they remained until July, 1913, when they removed to 320 East Fourth
street. Success attended the venture from the beginning and in 191 2 they
established a second store on West Fourth street. They now control one of the
most extensive retail grocery trades of Waterloo. They carry everything that
can be included in a line of staple and fancy groceries and the neat and attrac-
tive arrangement of their establishments, their thoroughly reliable business
methods and earnest efforts to please their patrons have secured to them a con-
stantly growing trade. Mr. Sinnard is a member of the Retail Merchants Asso-
ciation and cooperates in all its plans for the promotion of business conditions.
In November, 1904, Mr. Sinnard w^as united in marriage to Miss Jessie M.
Gregg, of Cedar Falls, by whom he has two children, Edythe Doris and Royal
C. Mr. Sinnard is well known in the ranks of the Knights of Pythias and the
Yeomen. He also belongs to the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and to
the Town Criers Club. He has made for himself a creditable place and name
in the business circles of Waterloo. He early realized that if one would win
success, they must be willing to pay the price of self-sacrificing effort, of in-
defatigable energy and close application. He has wisely employed these quali-
ties and ranks today among the foremost retail merchants of the city. He
possesses, too, those personal traits of character which win friendship and re-
gard, and goodwill is entertained for him by all with whom he has come in
contact.

MORTIMER B. CLEVELAND.

Mortimer B. Cleveland, a well known and successful architect of Waterloo,
although his practice comes to him from a wnde territory, was born in Osage,
Iowa, on the 19th of November, 1882, a son of Byron M. and Lucia B. (Burn-
ham) Cleveland, the former born in AVisconsin in 1859 ^"fl ^he latter in Massa-
chusetts, in 1863. The father engaged in business as a traveling salesman for
twenty-seven years. When a young man he came to Iowa, settling in Waterloo,
where his remaining days w^ere passed, his death occurring on the 6th of Febru-
ary, 1912. His widow still resides in ^^'aterloo. In their family were two
children, the younger being Ruth B., now the wife of S. J. Johnson, of B.lue
Earth, Minnesota.

The elder, Mortimer B. Cleveland, has spent practically all of his life in
Waterloo, acquiring a public-school education until he had completed the high-
school course, after which' he entered Cornell College at Mount A'ernon. Iowa,
and later the University of Illinois, from which he holds degrees. He had made
a study of architecture and when his college days were over he opened an office
for the practice of his profession and has since devoted his time and energies
to his chosen calling and gradually has buiit up a large business, which has come
to him from a broad territory. He is constantly studying along the line of his
profession and experience and reading are bringing to him a large knowledge
by which his patrons benefit. He maintains an office in the First National Bank
building, having a line suite of rooms on the third floor, and one conversing

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 171

with him for but a few moments must recognize at once that he has compre-
hensive knowledge and ability in the field of his chosen calling.

On the i8th of September, 1912, Mr. Cleveland was united in marriage to
Miss Edith M. Munger, a native of Waterloo and a daughter of Nelson O. and
Alary (Parmenter) Munger. The mother has now passed away, while the
father is living retired in California.

Mr. Cleveland's political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he
keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but is not an aspirant
for office. He belongs to Waterloo Lodge, No. 290, B. P. O. E., and to the
Order of Moose. He is likewise a member of the Board of Trade. Along
strictly professional lines his connections are with the Iowa Chapter of the
American Institute of Architects and with the Architectural League of America.
A deep interest in and love for his profession combined with laudable ambition
have been the stimulating forces that have brought him to his present enviable
position as one of the foremost architects of northeastern Iowa.

W. W. SMITH.

La Porte City is fortunate in having as its mayor W. W. Smith, a man of
undoubted administrative ability and of unimpeachable integrity. He is a native
of the Empire state, born in May, 1843, a son of Isaac and Dollie (Canfield)
Smith, who were likewise born in New York. The father removed with his
family to Tama county, Iowa, in 1858 and made his home there through the
remaining years of his life. He died in 1872, and his wife passed away in 1854
while the family were still living in New Y'ork.

W. W. Smith was reared upon the home farm and as soon as he was old
enough began to help his father with the cultivation of the fields and the care
of the live stock, and thus he gained a practical training that was of great ad-
vantage to him later in life. Nor was his formal education neglected, as he
attended the common schools of the neighborhood. When eighteen years of
age his patriotic spirit was aroused by the news of the assault on Fort Sumter
and the attempt of the southern states to secede, and at the beginning of the
war he enlisted in the Union army, being enrolled as a member of Company D,
Thirty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served for three years and was under
fire many times, taking part in a number of important engagements. At the
close of the war he went to Benton county, Iowa, and purchased eighty acres of
land, which he improved and developed. He gradually increased his acreage
until he became the owner of two hundred and eighty acres, which is still in his
possession and which he operated until 1902. In that year he rented his land
and removed to La Porte City, where he has since resided. He immediately
identified himself with public affairs and the welfare of the community and is
now serving his third term as mayor of the city, his record being indorsed by

reelection.

In December, 1867, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Estella D.
Marsh, who was a daughter of Jasper and Caroline (Davis) Marsh, both natives
of New York. In i860 they removed to Tama county, Iowa, and the father

172 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

operated a farm there until his death, which occurred in 1868. His widow lived
many years longer, dying in 191 1. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born five chil-
dren: O. J., a resident of Dysart, Iowa; Carrie, the wife of M. M. Hill, of
Hood River, Oregon; W. H., who is farming the homestead; Alary, who died
in 1912; and George L., also a resident of Hood River, Oregon. After a year's
illness Mrs. Smith died in 1884 and Mr. Smith was married to Miss Louisa J.
Johnson in April,. 1887. To this union have been born two children: Leota,
the wife of \\'. H. Grove, of Montana; and Lloyd J., who is at home.

Mr. Smith is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and cooperates
with all movements seeking the moral advancement of the community. He
supports the republican party at the polls and is quite prominent in local political
circles. He belongs to M. F. Thompson Post, No. 187, G. A. R., and fraternally
holds membership in the Knights of Pythias and in the Ancient Order of United
Workmen. Whether engaged as an agriculturist or devoting his time as a public
official to the administration of the city government, he has invariably manifested
the qualities of energy, initiative and sound common sense. These characteristics
have enabled him to gain success and to win the confidence of his fellowmen.

ABRAHAM WILD.

Abraham Wild is a dealer in lumber, coal and building materials in Cedar
Falls, his place of business at No. 1524 Main street being conducted under the
name of the Wild Lumber Company. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, March
12, 1842, and in accordance with the laws of that country served in the army and
participated in one of the wars in which the fatherland has been engaged. He
received his education there and when about thirty years of age, attracted by the
opportunities of the new world, crossed the Atlantic and settled in Cedar Falls,
where he was first employed in a brick yard. He afterward worked for nine
years in a lumber yard at Cedar Falls and this gave him the broad practical ex-
perience which has served as a foundation upon which he has built his present
success. At the end of that time, or in 1883, he established a yard of his own on
Fourth and State streets and operated it successfully until 1908. The following
year he opened the yard which he is now conducting.

Mr. Wild carries a large line of building materials and lumber and also enjoys
a good trade as a coal dealer. His reliable business methods have been one of
the strongest factors in his growing success. His business has now reached ex-
tensive proportions and his prosperity is well merited, for throughout his business
career to upbuild rather than to destroy has ever been his broad policy. He is,
moreover, a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Cedar Falls and in the broom
factory, and is president of the Germania Building, Loan & Savings Association.
He likewise owns a number of fine farms in various counties of Iowa and also
in Minnesota and South Dakota, and in Cedar Falls he owns business property,
a fine residence and some vacant lots. His interests have constantly broadened
and his energy and determination have enabled him to overcome all of the difii-
culties and obstacles in his path.

ABRAHAM WILD

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 175

In Germany, about forty-two years ago, Mr. Wild was united in marriage to
Miss Katrina Wild, who although of the same name was not a relative, and they
came to the new world on their wedding journey. They are the parents of four
children. Matilda A., who is a graduate of the Normal School at Cedar Falls
and has taught school, is now a nurse in the Presbyterian Hospital. Anna R., a
graduate of a business college in Cedar Rapids, has taught school for one term and
for fifteen years has been secretary of the Normal College at Cedar Falls. Fred
Richard H., a graduate of the University of New York, is now a mechanical
engineer of California. Harry B., who was educated in a military college of
Kentucky, is now a lumberman of Los Angeles, California. The children were all
provided with liberal educational opportunities and have become valued factors
in the life of the dififerent communities in which they reside.

Mr. Wild votes with the republican party, which he has supported continuously
since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He has never had occasion to
regret his determination to come to the new world. He was guided by a desire to
embrace the better business opportunities offered on this side of the Atlantic, nor
did he have any false ideas that a fortune was to be had for the asking. He knew
that industry and determination must win success here as elsewhere, but at the
time of his arrival competition was not so great. Gradually he has worked his
way upward and is now controlling a profitable business which has won him rank
with the substantial residents of his city.

HENRY BECKER.

Henry Becker, who is living in honorable retirement at La Porte City, de-
voted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business
career with excellent results. His birth occurred m eastern Pennsylvania on
the 8th of May, 1838, his parents being John and Rebecca (Zimmerman) Becker,
who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. The father, who spent his
entire life in Pennsylvania and followed farming throughout his active business
career, passed away in 1874, while his wife died in that state in 1852.

Henry Becker was reared and educated in the state of his nativity and re-
mained under the parental roof until twenty-five years of age. He then made
his way to Will county, Illinois, where he was first employed as a farm hand
and subsequently rented a tract of land which he cultivated until 1871. In that
year he came to Black Hawk county and here operated a rented farm tor two
years, on the expiration of which period he purchased eighty acres of land in
Bruce township, Benton county, Iowa, improving the property and there carry-
ing on farming for four years. His first wife died on that place and he was
married again, afterward removing to the two-hundred-acre farm of his second
wife in Black Hawk county. He was actively engaged in the operation of that
tract until 1890 and then retired with a comfortable competence, taking up his
abode in La Porte City, where he has made his home continuously since with
the exception of seven years spent in Arkansas. He owns a handsome residence
and has erected and sold five houses in La Porte City.

176 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

In November, 1865, Mr. Becker was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary A.
Brown, her father being John Brown, who was one of the pioneer settlers of
Will county, Illinois. She passed away in 1875 and in July of the following year
Mr. Becker was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Sarah E. Foulk,
a daughter of John Reed, who was a pioneer settler of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Becker is a republican in his political views and has served as a member
of the school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart cham-
pion. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Church of Zion,
while his wife is a Christian Scientist. His life has been well spent, in harmony
with his professions, and in every relation he has been honorable and upright,
winning for himself the warm regard of his fellow citizens.

GEORGE V. FOWLER.

George V. Fowler has been engaged in the grocery business in Waterloo
through an extended period and his success is the legitimate outcome of close
application, earnest purpose and honorable dealing. He was born in Pittsford,
Monroe county, New York, March 18, 1847, ^"d is a son of Vincent and
Rebecca A. (Field) Fowler. The birthplace of both the father and mother was
Peekskill, upon the banks of the Hudson in the state of New York. In early
life Vincent Fowler learned and followed the miller's trade. From Pittsford he
removed to Hinckley, New York, where he followed milling for five years and
then located on a farm near Spencerport. New York, where he remained until
his death, which occurred in 191 1, having for about three years survived his
wife. His father was a blacksmith and made swords for General Washington.

George V. Fowler was the second in order of birth in a family of five chil-
dren. He attended the district schools of his native state until about fifteen
years of age and afterward spent three or four years in a select school con-
ducted by Professor Clark, the author of the well known ''Clark's Grammar."
When eighteen years of age he began operating his father's farm on shares and
continued upon the old homestead for eight years. Before leaving the farm
he and his older brother had embarked in the nursery business at Waterloo,
Iowa, the brother conducting the business at this point, while George V. Fowler
remained in charge of the home farm in New York. He left the Empire state,
however, in 1873 and came to Waterloo to become a factor in the active man-
agement of the nursery business, in which he remained for about ten years.
Gradually, however, he withdrew from active connection with that interest and
confined his attention more and more largely to the wholesale fruit and grocery
l)usiness, that undertaking having its inception in his shipping fruits and pure
cider vinegar from New York. Eventually he gave practically all of his atten-
tion to the grocery trade. He still owns, however, a farm which is cultivated
under his supervision and he has extensive interests in real estate, owning a
large amount of land in Waterloo Fleights. He is likewise connected with the
Waterloo Canning Company, the Rath Packing Company, the Union Mill Com-
pany and the First National Bank, in all of which he is a stockholder. His busi-
ness interests are thus large and important and he has become a foremost factor

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 177

in commercial, indpstrial and financial circles in Waterloo. He has likewise been
a stockholder in the Waterloo Chautauqua Association since its inception more
than twenty-five years ago. His property holdings in Waterloo are very exten-
sive, for in connection with his two brothers he owns a number of the principal
business blocks of the city. His investments in realty have been most judiciously
made and have brought to him splendid returns.

Mr. Fowler has always had firm faith in Waterloo and her future and has
done everything in his power to promote the welfare and upbuilding of the city
and of Black Hawk county. His chief ambition, perhaps, has been to further
the agricultural development of this section of the state, for he believes that
Iowa people have an unparalleled chance in that direction, for the land is rolling,
requiring little artificial drainage and, moreover, is naturally rich and productive.
He has done everything in his power to stimulate an interest in all branches of
agriculture and has himself engaged in the manufacture of cheese which has
become famous.

On the i8th of March, 1875, Mr. Fowler was united in marriage to Miss
Alice Hillman, who was born in Parma, Monroe county, New York, a daughter
of Roy E. and Harriet (Castle) Hillman, who were natives of Cattaraugus
county, New York, the father there following the occupation of farming. To
Mr. and Mrs. Fowler have been born five children : Roy H., who is a salesman
for the Fowler Grocery Company; Mae F. and Florence, both at home; Arthur,
who is employed in his father's office ; and Julia, also at home.

Mr. Fowler holds membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen
and with the United Commercial Travelers. He is a member of the Board of
Trade of Waterloo and is interested in every plan and project for the upbuilding
and benefit of his city. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party
but he has never sought nor desired public office. His religious faith is indi-
cated in his membership in the First Baptist church. His life has indeed been
a busy and useful one, characterized by the wise use of the opportunities which
have come to him. He has displayed sound judgment in placing a valuation
upon his chances and in judging those things which make up his life's contacts
and experiences. In all of his business career he has quickly discriminated
between the essential and the non-essential and his efforts have ever been of a
character which have contributed to public progress as well as to individual
success.

JAMES I-I. GOODRICH.

James FI. Goodrich is engaged in the real-estate business in Waterloo, buy-
ing, selling and exchanging property. He was born in the old town of Charles-
town, now a part of Boston, Massachusetts, October i, 1857, a son of James H.
and Janette (Field) Goodrich, who were natives of New York and Vermont
respectively. The father came to Iowa in 1867, the family following in 1869,
when they joined him in the estabHshment of a home in Waterloo. He was a
bookkeeper by profession and for several years was employed in Farwell's
Bank of this city. He afterward turned his attention to the insurance business,

178 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

which he conducted to the time of his death in 1900. His wife survived for
several years, passing away in 1909. In their family were four children: Cor-
nelia, now the wife of J. M. Kirkpatrick, a resident of Ashland, Oregon; Leon,
living in Waterloo; Lizzie B., whose home is in Mound, JNIinnesota; and James H.
The last named attended the schools of A'ermont and of Massachusetts until
he reached the age of twelve years and following the removal of the family to
this state continued his studies in the public and high schools of AVaterloo to
the age of eighteen years. He afterward secured a situation as a clerk in Water-
loo and was similarly employed in Cedar Rapids, thus spending his time to the
age of twenty-one years, when he went to southwestern Nebraska and took up
government land, residing thereon until he had proved up his claim. In the
meantime he was elected treasurer of Redwillow county, Nebraska, and occu-
pied that position for five years, on the expiration of which period he went to
Lincoln, that state, where he was engaged in the real-estate business for about
three years. He next located at Holdrege. Nebraska, where he conducted a
real-estate and loan business for two years, after which he purchased a large
ranch of five thousand acres and engaged in the live-stock business for two
years. At the end of that time he returned to Iowa and accepted a position as
traveling salesman, spending two years upon the road.

In 1900 Mr. Goodrich embarked in the grocery business in Waterloo and
for six years was connected with that line of business but bought and sold sev-
eral times in that period. He next returned to the real-estate field and in con-
nection with the purchase and sale of property began speculative building in
1906. He first erected the brick building on Third street known as the Third
Street Grocery. He also built a large apartment house at the corner of Third
and Locust streets which he now owns, occupying one of the apartments. He
has built and sold about thirty-five residences in that section of Waterloo and
has thus contributed much to the improvement of the city, transforming un-
sightly vacancies into a fine residential district. In addition he owns and rents
one thousand acres in Minnesota and an improved farm of eighty acres in low^a.
He follows the most progressive business methods and has done much toward
the upbuilding of Waterloo. He is thoroughly acquainted with property values,
which enables him to make judicious investments and profitable sales, and as
the years have gone on his efl^orts have been an element in public progress as
well as individual prosperity.

Mr. Goodrich has been married twice. In September. 1S85. he wedded Miss
Eva Bishop, a native of Iowa and a daughter of George Bishop, of La Porte
City, this state, who there engaged in the practice of law but is now deceased.
Mrs. Goodrich passed away in June, 1893, leaving a son, Paul K., who is now
engaged in the grocery business in Waterloo. In 1901 Mr. Goodrich was again
married, his second union being with Miss Carrie Hitchcock, a daughter of
Nelson and Mary Hitchcock. In addition to the son of his first marriage Mr.
Goodrich has an adopted daughter. Lucy Whitney, now eleven years of age.

lames H. Goodrich is a member of the Congregational church and he was
reared in that faith, his father having been a deacon of the church for twenty-
five years. In his political views Mr. Goodrich is a repubHcan and for two
years served as a member of the city council of Indianola, Nebraska, but since
coming to Waterloo has never sought office, preferring to concentrate his ener-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 179

gies upon his business affairs which, carefully conducted, have brought to him
substantial and gratifying success. He belongs to the blue lodge and chapter
in the Masonic fraternity and has held some of the offices in those organizations.
Before the era of the automobile he was a lover of fine horses but since the in-
troduction of the car he has taken an intense delight in motoring and greatly
enjoys a good run. He has long been actively interested in church work, con-
tributes generously to the cause, and for a number of years has served as trustee
in his church. In a word, his influence is always on the side of right, truth and
justice, of progress, reform and improvement. He is practical in all that he
undertakes and while he holds to high ideals, uses the most practical methods
to secure their adoption.

JUDSON LAUGHLIN, A. M., M. D.

Dr. Judson Laughlin, a well known resident of Waterloo, was born at College
Springs, Iowa, on the i6th of July, 1868, a son of James Birney and Sarah A.
(Cross) Laughlin, both of whom were born near Bloomington, Illinois. The
father was a nurseryman and horticulturist and in 1854 removed to Iowa,
locating in College Springs. Immediately upon his arrival there he established
a nursery and continued to conduct it with growing success until his death,
which occurred on the 20th of January, 191 1. His wife had passed away many
years before, as she was called to her reward in 1877. He was not remiss in
his duties as a citizen and was always interested in anything pertaining to the
public welfare but never aspired to offfce.

Dr. Laughlin is the second in order of birth in a family of six children and
received excellent educational advantages. After attending the public schools
of College Springs he became a student at Amity College, graduating in June,
1890, and he subsequently entered the Ensworth Central Medical school at St.
Joseph, Missouri, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in
1896. Amity College conferred upon him the degree of A. M. in 1897. Dr.
Laughlin was married in 1890 to Miss Ella McCann, who was born and reared
in St. Joseph, Missouri, and belonged to a prominent family. This beloved com-
panion and wife was called to her reward April 29, 1892. Dr. Laughlin com-
menced business as a fruit grower near St. Joseph, Missouri, and so continued
for about eighteen months. It was after this that he began his professional
studies and immediately after completing his medical course in 1896 he began
practice at Blanchard, Iowa, where he remained for two years. He then spent
three years at Grinnell, Iowa, and was for thirteen years a general practitioner
at Ledyard, Iowa. At the end of that time he came to Waterloo with the inten-
tion of opening a wholesale drug house here but has since decided to establish
it at Mason City, Iowa, instead. ITe is not only a successful physician but he
also is an excellent business man, and the combination of detailed and technical
knowledge of drugs, their composition and use, and sound judgment in financial
matters should insure the success of the concern which he intends to establish.

Dr. Laughlin was married on the 27Lh of June, 1895, to Miss Anna Roy,
who was born at Palmyra, Missouri, and was left an orphan when a mere child.

180 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

To Dr. and Airs. Laughlin were born five children, Birney Roy, James Byron,
Geraldine, Judson M. and William R. The wife and mother passed away on
the 24th of November, 1910, and on the 21st of February, 191 2, the Doctor was
united in marriage to Miss Elsie M. Simpson, a native of Mason City, Iowa, and
a daughter of John Simpson, a prominent farmer of Rake, Iowa.

Dr. Laughlin is a republican in political matters, gives his religious adherence
to the Congregational church, and fraternally is connected with the Modern
Woodmen of America, the Yeomen, and the blue lodge of the Masonic order.
His professional interest is attested by his membership in a number of medical
societies, including the Black Hawk County Medical Society, the Iowa State
Medical Society, the Austin Flint, Cedar A'alley Medical Society of Iowa, the
Tri-State Medical Society of Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, and he is a Fellow of
the American Medical Association. Although at present not in active practice.
Dr. Laughlin intends to maintain his professional standing with regular physi-
cians and the medical profession by constantly reading his medical journals and
diligently keeping up his membership in the best medical societies, which has
been his hobby for the past nineteen years. Through his association with other
])hysicians in these organizations he keeps informed as to the consensus of
opinion in medical circles and is also able to give others the benefit of his experi-
ence and observation. The same spirit of progressiveness and willingness to
cooperate characterizes his relations with his fellowmen in all phases of life and
to this is due in a large measure his success.

CFIARLES B. SANTEE.

Charles B. Santee is a member of the firm of Santee Brothers, conducting an
extensive real-estate business in the handling of farm lands in Iowa and the
northwest. He was born in Butler county, this state, near Kesley, November 6,
1864, a son of Joseph Laughery and Jane (Nixon) Santee. The father was
born in the state of New York, October 8, 1827, and the mother's birth occurred
in the north of Ireland in 1832. In early life Joseph L. Santee engaged in the
operation of a sawmill and subsequently cleared a farm in Ohio. In 1855 he
came to Iowa, settling at Cedar Falls and afterward he went to Butler Center,
where he built the first house. Still later he took up his abode upon a farm
seven miles west of the town and there the children of the family were born. He
resided upon the farm until the spring of 1890, when he again removed to Cedar
Falls, where he spent his remaining days, passing away in April, 1908. His wife
had previously died in 1900, at the age of sixty-eight years. He held various
local ofhces, including those of justice of the peace, trustee and school director,
and was ever faithful to the trust reposed in him. In his family were five chil-
dren. The mother had been previously married and had three children by the
first union. The father had also been married before and had one child by his
first marriage.

Charles B. Santee attended school in Mount Vernon and continued his
education in the State Normal school at Cedar Falls, now known as the State
Teachers' College. He remained with his father until he attained his majority

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 181

Hiid in early manhood devoted the winter months to school teaching and the
summer seasons to farm wori<, spending his time in that way until twenty-five
years of age. He then went to Cedar Falls with the intention of reading law
but changed his plans and engaged in the real-estate business, in which he has
since continued. He is now associated with his brother, Robert A. Santee, under
the hrm name of Santee Brothers. They will have continued business under that
style for twenty-five years on the loth of April, 191 5. They buy, handle and
sell Iowa, Minnesota, Dakota and Canada lands and have a good clientage.
They have disposed of thousands of acres and have also bought and sold
mortgages and negotiated loans. Their business has long been a growing
and profitable one and they are today among the best known real-estate men
in this section of Iowa. Moreover, they are . large stockholders in all of the
different factories m Cedar Falls and their sound judgment and cooperation
are factors in the business development and upbuilding of the city.

On the 5th of April, 1899, Mr. Santee was united in marriage to Miss Lulu
Probert, of Shell Rock, Butler county, Iowa. The father died during the early
girlhood of his daughter, Mrs. Santee, and the mother now resides in Waterloo
with her daughter, Mrs. A. R. Walker. Mrs. Santee is the third in a family
of six children and by her marriage has become the mother of five children,
Harriet Mary, Leslie Carleton, Donald Probert, Margaret Elizabeth and Paul
Joseph.

Mr. Santee is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp and also has mem-
bership with the Yeomen. In politics he is a republican, interested in the growth
and success of his party. He has served as recorder of Black Hawk county
for six years and has been a member of the city council. He was a delegate
to the national convention in 191 2 and favored the nomination of Cummins.
He is now serving on the board of education of Cedar Falls and the cause of
public schools finds in him a stalwart champion. He believes in progress in
all things and does everything in his power to promote advancement and upbuild-
ing along lines that will contribute to the general good. His has been an
active, useful and well spent life. He has accomplished much that he has
undertaken and his labors have by no means been concentrated upon efforts
solely for his own benefit, for as a citizen he has done much to further the
public welfare.

EDWARD H. McCOY.

In a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit
and ability, Edward H. McCoy has made continuous progress until he stands
today among the foremost lawyers of Waterloo, practicing alone and having
now a large and distinctively representative clientage. He is one of Iowa's native
sons, his birth having occurred in Butler county on the 14th of February, 1881,
a son of John and Anna (Coyle) McCoy, of Waterloo. The father, a native of
Ireland, became a resident of Butler county, Iowa, in 1859 ^-ud was there engaged
in farming until i860, when he went to Chicago. In 1861 he responded to the
country's call for aid, enlisting as a member of Company G, Twenty-third Illinois

182 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Infantry, which was known as Mulligan's Irish Brigade of Chicago. With that
command he served for three years and was then wounded and honorably dis-
charged because of disability. He was subsequently engaged in farmmg in
Butler county for forty-four years or until 190C), when he came to Waterloo,
where he is now residing.

Edward H. McCoy pursued his education in the schools of Butler county and
in the Iowa City Academy, from which he was graduated in 1899. He afterward
entered the University of Iowa, where he won the degrees of Ph. B. and LL. B.
In June, 1904, he was admitted to the Iowa bar and in September of the same
year opened his office in Waterloo, where he has since engaged in practice. He
practices in all the courts of the state and in the federal courts and is a member
of the State and American Bar Associations. He is a close and discriminating
student and quickly determines what is essential and what is nonessential in the
matter of evidence. He is always courteous to and considerate of witnesses and
gives to the court that deference which is its due.

On the I2th of June, 1907, Mr. McCoy was united in marriage to Miss Mary
F. Kelly, of Sigourney, Iowa. They hold membership in St. Joseph's Catholic
church and Mr. McCoy is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, which
organization is formed of those of the Catholic faith. He likewise has member-
ship with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, with the Waterloo Commer-
cial Club and Board of Trade and the Town Criers Club. For ten years a prac-
titioner of law in Waterloo, he has become widely and favorably known both in
professional and social connections and has gained for himself a creditable place
at the bar of Black Hawk count v.

HON. HENRY W. GROUT.

The activities of Hon. Henry W. Grout touch in many ways the general in-
terests of society and have been an element in advancing progress and improve-
ment along various lines. His sound judgment has been a factor in furthering
the business advancement, his public spirit has been manifest in official service and
he is identified with plans and projects which are ever looking to the benefit and
upbuilding of city, state and nation. Waterloo numbers him among her native
sons, his birth having occurred in this city in 1858, his parents being Samuel B.
and Harriet Augusta (Whittemore) Grout, both of whom are now deceased.
Both the father and mother were natives of Massachusetts and in the year 1856
they removed westward to Iowa, settling in Black Hawk county, where the father
was engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days. He passe4
away in 1882, having for a brief period survived his wife, who died in 1881.

Reared under the parental roof, Henry W. Grout was educated in the schools
of Black Hawk county and in Field Seminary of Waterloo, in which he studied
for a year. When not busy with his text-books he gave his time to farm work,
aiding in the development of the fields. He was thus busily employed until he
reached his majority, when he went to the west, where he engaged in mining for a
year. On the expiration of that period he returned and took up railroad work,
which he followed until his father's death, when he once more located upon the

mnawyatgwiiyiiMi^Mj

HON. HENRY W. GROUT

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 185

farm and continued its cultivation for seven years, or until 1889, when he went
upon the road as a traveling salesman, devoting the ensuing twelve years to that
business. He has since been engaged in dealing in real estate and has negotiated
many important property transfers and has himself become the owner of con-
siderable valuable property. He likewise has other business connections, for he
is now one of the stockholders and a member of the board of directors of the
First National Bank and also of the Waterloo Saddlery Company. In fact, he
has been one of the leading spirits in many of the city's business enterprises and is
now the president of the Fairview Cemetery Association. He is a man of un-
faltering determination and in his vocabulary there is no such word as fail, for
energy and ambition prompt him to carry forward to successful completion what-
ever he undertakes.

Mr. Grout is recognized as an active factor in political circles, stanchly advo-
cating the principles of the republican party. He served on the board of park
commissioners and in that connection made a creditable record. He was elected
to represent his district in the thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth general assemblies
of Iowa and in November, 1914, was elected state senator from the thirty-eighth
district, comprising Black Hawk and Grundy counties, for four years. He is very
popular and makes friends wherever he is, not only among the followers of the
republican party, but among those who are opposed to him politically. His con-
stituents feel that there is a brilliant public career before him. He has ever been
a public-spirited citizen and in office has made a creditable record through his
unfaltering devotion to duty and the capability with which he has met the tasks
required of him. He is descended, from Revolutionary ancestry in both the
paternal and maternal lines and is now the president of the Iowa State Society
of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Mr. Grout has been married twice. He first wedded Mrs. Olive Wright Wil-
son, who died four years ago, and on the 3d of September, 1914, he was joined in
wedlock to Miss Agnes A. Perry, a daughter of James B. and Arlette (Tuttle)
Perry of McHenry, Illinois. They attend the Baptist church and Mr. Grout holds
membership in the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the thirty-second
degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the Commercial Club and
Board of Trade, and he cooperates in all movements that he deems of benefit and
value to the community and to the commonwealth, while in his public service he
has subordinated personal aggrandizement and advancement to the public good.

FRANCES AUGUSTA GROUT.

In connection with educational and charitable work in Black Hawk county
the name of Miss Frances Augusta Grout is indeed widely known and honored.
She is a daughter of Samuel B. and Harriet Augusta ( Whittemore) Grout, and
a sister of Senator Henry W. Grout. When only three years old she was
brought to Waterloo by her parents, her birth having occurred in McHenry
county, Illinois. She acquired her early education in the public schools of
Waterloo and afterward supplemented it by study in summer schools until she
reached the age of twenty years, when she entered upon the profession of teach-
voi. n— 18

186 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

ing, being paid for her services during her first term at Dewar eighteen dollars
per month. Her life thereafter was devoted to that work until 1912, when she
retired. Her career as a teacher was marked by continuous progresN and improve-
ment and she did much to further the interests of public education in Iowa.
She was appointed principal of the Hawthorne school, with which she was
connected for nine years, and afterward became principal of <,he John Fisk
school, her entire service in East Waterloo schools covering twenty-six years.

W^aterloo, indeed, owes much to her efforts, which have been both practical
and progressive. She has been largely instrumental in introducing manual train-
ing and has assisted in establishing manual training classes and in introducing
advanced work in other lines, her efforts at all times working for the general
betterment of the Waterloo public schools. She is spoken of in terms of highest
praise, as none have questioned her fidelity or had doubt as to her efificiency.
She has the remarkable record during all the years of her service in connection
with the schools of Waterloo of never having been tardy or never missing a
day's attendance on account of illness.

Miss Grout is now devoting much time to charitable and religious work.
She is very active in connection with the Young Women's Christian Associa-
tion, of which she is the vice president. She rightfully believes that religion is
the avenue along which one should be improved physically, mentally and morally
and she has been greatly interested in organizing classes among the working
girls, enabling them to acquire better educations. She has largely solved some
of the problems of the philanthropic worker for which others have found no
solution. In a word, as Zona Gale puts it, she has learned that factory workers,
as well as those in other avenues of life, are "folks," and that the secret of
helping one's fellows is not to work for them but to work with them, thus obliter-
ating the distinction of class which produces the feeling of inferiority and
dependence. Miss Grout is also an active member of Waterloo Chapter, D. A. R.,
is chairman of the Board of Associated Charities, is vice president of the local
Woman's Christian Temperance Union and is prominent in the work of the
First Baptist church, constantly broadening her efforts along those lines. Her
labors have been attended with far-reaching and beneficial results and there are
many in Waterloo who have cause to bless her for her timely aid, her word of
encouragement and her work of practical assistance.

CLAUDE E. CULLEY.

Claude E. CuUey is secretary and treasurer of the Kemble Floral Company
of Waterloo and devotes his entire time to the business, which is now liberally
patronized and ranks with the leading establishments of this character in Black
Hawk county. A native of Jefferson, Iowa, Mr. Culley was born August 30,
1881, a son of Charley H. and Ida M. (Keeler) Culley. The father was the
first white child born at Jefferson and in early life became connected with mer-
cantile interests, as did his father before him. When a young man he embarked
in business in Jefferson and later went to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he continued
in the same line. About 1893 he became a resident of Marshalltown, Iowa,

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 187

where he established a retail grocery store and is still actively engaged in the
conduct of that business. Practically all his life has been devoted to mercan-
tile interests and his close application and unremitting energy have been the
salient features in his success. His wife, who was born in Warren, Illinois,
also survives.

Claude E. Culley is the eldest in their family of six children and in the
acquirement of his education he attended the public schools of Marshalltown,
passing through consecutive grades until he became a high-school pupil. Through
the period of his youth he gave considerable time to assisting his father. Later
he spent some time in clerical work and afterward was assistant cashier with
one of the large business houses of Chicago. Because of his father's health,
however, he returned home and became his assistant in the business as a mem-
ber of the firm, being thus connected with the grocery trade in Marshalltown
until January i, 1914, when he removed to Waterloo and entered the Kemble
Floral Company as one of the stockholders and as the secretary and treasurer.
He now devotes his entire attention to the business, looking after the sales and
otherwise managing the interests of the house.

On the 5th of February, 1914, Mr. Culley was united in marriage to Miss
Esther L. Seerley, her father being Ilomer H. Seeriey, president of the Iowa
State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls, Iowa. Mr. Culley is an advocate of
temperance and gives his political support to the prohibition party. His life
has ever been honorable and upright and his course has been guided by manly
principles. Laudable ambition has prompted him in his business affairs and
in his removal to Waterloo, Black Flawk county gained an enterprising, valuable
and public-spirited citizen.

HON. CATO SELLS.

The Hon. Cato Sells, formerly of La Porte City, is acceptably serving as
commissioner of Indian afifairs and is demonstrating his fitness to discharge
duties carrying with them great responsibility. He was born at Vinton, Iowa,
on the 6th of October, 1859, a son of Captain George W. Sells, a lawyer of
marked ability, who was for many years the law partner of ex-Governor Sher-
man. Removing to La Porte City during the boyhood days of the subject of
this review. Captain Sells engaged in the practice of his profession here until
his death in December, 1873.

After the death of his father Cato Sells was given employment as a clerk
in the B. ^. Stanton hardware store and he attributes much of his success to
Mr. Stanton, who gave him an excellent business training and, moreover, took
a personal interest in his welfare. At the age of sixteen years Mr. Sells entered
Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, and three years later, in 1878, returned
to La Porte City and entered the office of Judge C. A. Bishop, where he took up
the study of law. After two years he was admitted to the bar and in 1880 began
the practice of his profession. In the same year he was elected city recorder of
La Porte and after serving in that capacity for two years was given still greater
honor, as he was chosen mayor. He served for many years as city solicitor and

188 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

also practiced law privately, gaining a representative and lucrative clientage.
He has been an active force in politics for many years, as when a boy of nine-
teen he took the stump for the democratic party, and the effectiveness of his
speeches and his youth gained him the name of the "boy orator." His interest
in public affairs grew with his knowledge of statecraft, and his fitness for office
was recognized in 1886, when he became the democratic nominee for secretary
of state, but was defeated at the election. In 1889 ^^ transferred his residence
to Mnton, Iowa, and about the same time was made a member of Governor
Boies' staff", serving in that capacity for four years. In 1892 he was elected to
fill Governor Dysart"s place on the board of trustees of the Iowa State College
of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts but at the end of that time declined reelection.
He was twice elected state's attorney of Benton county and gamed a reputation
as one of the most able and vigilant public prosecutors the county ever had.
In 1894 he was appointed United States district attorney for the northern district
of Iowa and proved equally efficient and aggressive in this larger field of action.
He subsequently removed to Texas and while living there was appointed com-
missioner of Indian affairs, which position he still holds, now living at Wash-
ington, D. C. While a resident of Iowa he was prominent in the councils of
the democratic party, representing the Dubuque district on the democratic state
committee for many years, while in 1893 ^^^ ^^'^^ made chairman of the Iowa
state convention. In 1892 he was honored by the democratic national conven-
tion, which made him its secretary., Mr. Sells is well remembered in La Porte
City, where he began his public career, and the characteristics of integrity,
keenness of insight and initiative which marked him in his relations with men
here have enabled him to win advancement in state and national affairs.

ALBERT R. FERGUSON.

Albert R. Ferguson, partner in the F"ergu5on Manufacturing Company, which
manufactures all kinds of well drilling machinery and supplies at No. 118 Rath
street. Waterloo, was born in Black Hawk county, October 21, 1868, his parents
being Edward and Isabelle ( Cummings ) Ferguson, who at an early period in
the development of this section of Iowa came from Pennsylvania and cast in
their lot with the pioneer settlers of Black Hawk county, establishing their
home eight miles northeast of Waterloo, where the father began farming. His
remaining days were devoted to the further development and cultivation of that
place and his death occurred in 1874. The mother continued to reside upon the
home farm with her family until about 1894, when they came to Waterloo, where
Mrs. Ferguson still makes her home. By her marriage she became the mother
of six children: George C. who is interested in the Ferguson Manufacturing
Company ; Robert, in business alone in Waterloo ; Albert R., of this review ;
Stephen, who resides in Waterloo and acts as salesman for the Ferguson Man-
ufacturing Company ; Charles, who is also connected with the firm ; and lona,
the wife of J. W. Noble, who is assistant postmaster at Manitou. Colorado.

Albert R. Ferguson attended the district schools near his boyhood home
until nineteen years of age and afterward pursued a commercial course in

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 189

Waterloo. Through the periods of vacation his attention was given to the
work of the farm and at the age of twenty-one years he rented the old home-
stead and continued the further cultivation and improvement of the farm for
about two years. On the expiration of that period he came to Waterloo and
entered the employ of the Kelley & Tannehill Company, with whom he continued
for about six or seven years, during which time he gained a comprehensive
knowledge of and training in mechanical pursuits and developed his latent
powers, thus greatly increasing his ability. At the end of that time he, with
his three brothers, organized the Ferguson Manufacturing Company for the
manufacture of all kinds of well drilling machinery and supplies. They have
a well equipped factory supplied with the latest improved machinery necessary
to their line at No. ii8 Rath street. Mr. Ferguson is secretary of the company,
with three of his brothers as partners, and he devotes his entire time to the
factory. He now owns valuable real estate in Waterloo, including an attractive
residence property at No. 150 Harrison street.

On the loth of October, 1894, Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage to Miss
Myrtle Rodifer, who was bom in Waterloo in a house which then stood on
the site of the present Ellis Hotel, at which time her father owned the entire
block. She is a daughter of George and Mary (Harrod) Rodifer, who were
among the early and highly respected residents of the county. The father here
engaged in the building business as a contractor and both he and his wife died
in Waterloo. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have three children. Ruby Lucille, Leila
Maud and Donald E., all at home.

Mr. Ferguson holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America
and the rules which govern his conduct are indicated in the fact that he is a
member of the Walnut Street Baptist church, to the teachings of which he
consistently adheres. In politics he is independent, nor has he ever aspired to
public office. He has always given his undivided attention to his business
affairs and it is well known that he has never been afraid of hard work. Energy
and close application have been the salient features in his success and he has
advanced step by step, proving his worth and ability in concentrated and intel-
ligently directed effort.

CHARLES WARREN HELLEN.

Charles Vv^arren Hellen early displayed the business ability that has carried
him into important relations as president of the Dart Motor Truck Company,
manufacturers of motor trucks in Waterloo. In this connection he is shaping
the policy and directing the interests of a most important enterprise and its con-
tinuous growth is largely the result of his business ability and keen discrimina-
tion. He was born upon a farm in Winnebago county, Illinois, near Rockford,
on the 7th of October, 1882, a son of John G. and Bertha (Thompson) Hellen,
the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Illinois. The paternal grand-
father, Norval Hellen, was a native of Pennsylvania and about 1842 came to
Iowa, being among the first of the pioneers of Hamilton county, in which locality
he spent his remaining days, there passing away in 1909 at the advanced age of

190 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

eighty-nine years. Both he and the maternal grandfather of Charles W. Hellen
were forty-niners of the California gold rush, both going overland with wagon
trains. Mr. Hellen returned by the same route, while Mr. Thompson made the
return trip by way of the Isthmus. The latter is still living and now makes his
home in Webster City, Iowa, being in vigorous health at the advanced age of
eighty-nine years.

John G. Hellen is a medical graduate and for several years practiced his
profession in Pecatonica, Illinois, but for the past fifteen years has been prom-
inently identified with the real-estate business in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Charles Warren Hellen, spending his youthful days under the parental roof,
acquired his education in the public schools of W^ebster City, but as early as his
twelfth year went to work for the Iowa Telephone company at that place and
when fifteen years of age was made manager for the company, which a year
later was merged with the E. H. Martin Telephone Company. The new organ-
ization also controlled the Postal Telegraph office in Webster City and while
there engaged Mr. Hellen learned telegraphy. The same year he entered the
employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company and on the ist of September,
1898, he entered the employ of the Litchfield Manufacturing Company of Web-
ster City, manufacturers of agricultural implements. He entered the employ
of that company at a salary of twenty dollars per month and from a humble
position he worked his way steadily upward until he became assistant manager
of the business and subsequently was made credit man for the firm. On the
removal of the firm to Waterloo in 1903 Mr. Hellen came with them and was
identified with the business for eleven years, having within that time become a
stockholder in the company.

In 1908, in connection with Lore Alford, Jr., Mr. Hellen established the
Black Hawk Abstract Company and in 1909 he sold his interest to his partner.
On the 15th of September of the same year he went to Philadelphia, Pennsyl-
vania, where he became associated with the C. H. Geist Company, operating
a line of gas and electric light plants throughout the east. He was placed in
charge of the Wilmington. Delaware, office and when three months later the
company bought out two plants in Atlantic City, Mr. Hellen purchased an inter-
est in these plants and was installed as office manager there. In 1910 he sold his
interest in that business and in connection with William Galloway purchased
the business of the Dart Manufacturing Company at Anderson, Indiana, and
removed the plant to Waterloo, where Mr. Hellen had charge of the erection of
the buildings and the installation of the new plant. In December, 1910, he was
elected president and manager of the company and has since continued at the
head of this business, which, under his direction, has enjoyed continuous growth.
On the 1st of August, 1914, the company was reorganized and incorporated as
the Dart Motor Truck Company, Mr. Hellen continuing as president and man-
ager. This company builds three sizes of motor trucks and ships its output
all over the world. The business has been a constantly growing one and is now
one of the leading manufacturing enterprises of the city.

On the nth of October, 191 1, Mr. Hellen was united in marriage to Miss
Ethel M. Miller, a daughter of W. W. Miller, president of the Commercial
National Bank of Waterloo, and to them have been born two daughters, Mar-
garet Louise and Elizabeth Miller. Politically Mr. Hellen is a republican and

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 191

at the present time is filling the office of river front commissioner of East
Waterloo. He belongs to Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M. ; Helmet
Lodge, No. 52, K. P. ; and Waterloo Lodge, No. 290, B. P. O. E. He is like-
wise a member of the Illinois Athletic Club of Chicago. He belongs to the
Waterloo Commercial Club, is a stockholder in the Commercial National Bank
and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. The steps in
his orderly progression are easily discernible and since starting out in life on
his own account at the early age of twelve years he has worked his way steadily
upward, advancing continuously and thus winning at all times a broader outlook.
No unusual opportunities have come to him, but with characteristic energy he
has improved each one as it has been presented and thus he has gained the
creditable and enviable place in business circles that he today occupies. More-
over, his record has at all times been one of unfaltering diligence and of unques-
tioned integrity, proving that success and an honored name may be won simul-
taneously.

H. D. MOSES.

H. D. Moses was for a long period identified with farming interests in
Iowa although he did not become a resident of Black Hawk county. He made
his home in Benton county and was one of its pioneer settlers. His birth
occurred in March, 1839, his parents being Alfred and Catherine (Perrine)
Moses, who became pioneer residents of Illinois.

H. D. Moses was reared in Illinois and is indebted to the public-school sys-
tem of that state for the educational privileges which he received. He there
engaged in farming and continued his residence in that state until he came to
Iowa at an early period in the settlement and development of Benton county.
Subsequent to his arrival in this state he purchased land and at once began its
cultivation and improvement. In the course of years he transformed the place
into a highly improved farm and made his home thereon throughout his remain-
ing days, his death occurring in October, 1881.

Twenty years before, or in October, 1861, Mr. Moses was united in mar-
riage to Miss Rhoda Williams, a daughter of John and Sarah A. (Drake) Wil-
liams, who were natives of New York. The father was a farmer by occupa-
tion and always followed that pursuit in the Empire state, continuing his resi-
dence there until he was called to his final rest in 1880. His wife survived
him for about nine years, passing away in 1889. In the family of Mr. and Mrs.
Moses there were six children: Albert, a resident of Nebraska; Elmer, who is
living in Washington; Arthur, who makes his home in Montana; John, who
resides in Nebraska ; Minnie, the wife of R. E. Berry, a resident of Tama county,
Iowa ; and Libby, the youngest of the family, who died in 1892.

Mr. Moses was a Mason and in his hfe' exemplified the beneficent spirit of
the craft. His political allegiance was given the democratic party but he did
not seek nor desire public ofiice, preferring always to give his undivided atten-
tion to his farm work, whereby he provided a comfortable living for his family.

192 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

In the year 1889 his widow, Mrs. Rhoda Moses, became the wife of Henry
Clark, who was one of the pioneer farmers of Black Hawk county. Settling
here at an early day. he witnessed the greater part of the growth and development
of this section of the state and was closely associated with its progress along
agricultural lines. At the time of his arrival he secured land and from that
day until his death was connected with farming interests. He died upon his
farm in Spring Creek township in 1908, since which time Mrs. Clark has
removed to La Porte City, where she has since made her home. She owns con-
siderable property here and from her real-estate holdings derives a substantial
annual income. She is now seventy-nine years of age and much of her life
has been passed in Iowa, so that her memory forms a connecting link between
pioneer times and the present. She has seen great changes and can relate many
interesting incidents concerning the early days. She is now well known in
La Forte City and in other sections of Black Hawk county and has a large
circle of warm friends.

ARTHUR C. COLE.

Arthur C. Cole, engaged in the real-estate business and in speculative build-
ing in Waterloo, has done much to improve the city architecturally and along
the lines of general development and advancement. He was bom at Yorkville,
Illinois, January 31, 1871, a son of William G. and Martha C. (Casburn) Cole,
who were natives of England, born in 1833 ^"^ ^^3^ respectively. In early life
the father devoted his attention to merchandising. About 1S68 he and his wife
crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling in Illinois, where they continued
to make their home until 1883, when they came to Waterloo. The father had
practically retired from business at that time and he continued to reside here in
the enjoyment of a well earned rest until his death, which occurred in 1898.
His widow now resides at No. 626 Randolph street in Waterloo.

Arthur C. Cole is one of a family of eight children. He attended public
schools in Illinois and in Waterloo and was a graduate in the class of 1900.
with the degree of Ph. B., of the university at Iowa City. He was eighteen
years of age when he entered the railway mail service on the Rock Island,
running between Burlington and Albert Lea, Minnesota. He continued for
nineteen years in the service and during that period, from 1896 until 1900, pur-
sued his four years' course in college, attending school during his lay-ofif periods
and keeping up his studies while absent from his classes. What he accomplished
was considered very remarkable by his preceptors and it indicated the strength
of his character and his laudable ambition along the line of intellectual develop-
ment. After nineteen years' continuous connection with the mail service, in
which he reached the highest class then attainable, he turned his attention to
speculative building and to the real-estate business. He buys vacant property,
plats his land and thereon erects houses for sale. He is still successfully engaged
along this line and his efiforts have been an important element in improving and
beautifying various sections of Waterloo. In his building operations he studies
comfort, convenience, utility and beauty and he has erected some of the most

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 193

attractive modern residences of Waterloo. He is likewise a director of the
Peoples Building «& Loan Association.

In June, 1908, Mr. Cole was joined in wedlock to Miss Anna Holmes, who
was born at Aurora, Hamilton county, Nebraska, a daughter of Frank and
Lydia (Bickley) Holmes, the former a native of Manchester, England, and the
latter of Somerset county, Pennsylvania. The father came to America when
a lad of five years and made farming his life work. He lived first in Wisconsin,
but came to Iowa in 1864. Later he removed to Nebraska, where he remained
for one year, and then returned to Black Hawk county, settling on a farm near
Hudson, where he successfully engaged in tilling the soil. Later he took up his
abode in Waterloo, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred in
the year 1896. Lie served as a trustee of the township in which he lived and
was a valued and representative citizen of that locality. His widow still lives
in Waterloo, at 827 Randolph street. Their daughter, Mrs. Cole, was the second
in order of birth in their family of six children. She attended the public schools
of West Waterloo and is a graduate of the State University of Iowa in the
class of 1907 v;ith the degree of B. S. By her marriage she has become the
mother of four children, Arline, Erma and Virginia, all at home, and Richardine,
who died at the age of nine months.

Mr. and Mrs. Cole are members of the First Baptist church and Mrs. Cole
also belongs to the Fortnightly Literary Club. Mr. Cole holds membership with
the Knights of Pythias and also in the Chamber of Commerce and the Town
Criers Club. The determination and strength of character which he displayed
in acquiring an education under odds which would have utterly discouraged
many a man indicates much of his nature. He has ever been a man of strong
purpose, resourceful, energetic and determined. In his business he has seen
the opportunities for advancing his own success and at the same time aiding in
the development and improvement of the city, and the one afifords him just as
great pleasure as the other, for he is a public-spirited citizen and gives his aid
and influence to the side of improvement and advancement along all the lines
which contribute to Waterloo's welfare.

WILLIAM KOBER.

William Kober, president of the Waterloo Sash & Fixture Works, was born
in Wheaton, Illinois, March 3, 1872, a son of August and Charlotte Kober,
who now reside in Charles City, Iowa, to which place they removed when their
son William was a little lad of but four summers. It was there that he was
reared and educated as a pupil in the public schools. As early as his fourteenth
year, however, he entered upon an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, work-
ing during the summer months and attending school in the winter seasons. His
life has ever been one of unfaltering industry and in 1888 he returned to
Wheaton, where he completed his apprenticeship and worked at his trade until
1894. He then again went to Charles City and secured a position in a sash
and door factory, where he was employed until the spring of 1900, when he
came to Waterloo and secured a position with the Cedar Valley Manufacturing

194 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Company, remaining in the employ of that organization for about eighteen
months.

Mr. Kober afterward spent about a year at the plant of the Nauman Com-
pany and in 1902 he engaged in business on his own account, purchasing the
interest of Stephen Saulsbury in the Novelty Wood Works. He became a
partner in the last named corporation which in 1906 was reincorporated and
reorganized under the name of the Waterloo Sash & Fixture Works, at which
time the capital stock was increased from ten thousand to twenty-five thousand
dollars. The officers of the company are: William Kober, president; Harry
Parks, vice president ; Phillip Koester, secretary ; and Fred Burk, treasurer.
In 191 1 the business had increased in volume to such an extent that a reorgan-
ization of the company and an increase of its capital stock were found neces-
sary, at which time the latter was increased to fifty thousand dollars. This is
one of the important manufacturing industries of Waterloo, conducting an
extensive and growing business, their trade relations now covering a wide ter-
ritory. They have ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best
advertisement and their efiforts to please, combined with honorable business
dealings and the excellence of their product, have been the chief factor in their
growing prosperity.

In 1894 Mr. Kober was united in marriage to Miss Anna Zeas, a native of
Germany, who came to the United States in 1890, being then in young woman-
hood. They have become the parents of two children: Edgar Irving, who is
attending the University of Illinois ; and Frances Emma, a student in the Water-
loo high school.

Mr. Kober belongs to the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, the Modern
Woodmen of America, the Knights of the Maccabees, the Loyal Order of Moose,
and to Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P. He exercises his right of franchise in
support of the men and measures of the republican party, but the honors and
emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as he has always preferred
to devote his attention to his business affairs and other outside interests, which
he considers more vital to his life than holding office. He and his wife are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and their many good traits of character
have firmly established them in the high respect and good-will of their fellow
citizens.

J. G. McAL\TN, M. D.

Dr. J. G. McAlvin, physician and surgeon of Waterloo, well qualified for
the onerous duties of the profession by a broad course of study in the State
University of Iowa and subsequent post-graduate work in New York city and
the leading medical centers of Europe, has engaged in practice in Waterloo
since 1910. He was born in Farmersburg near McGregor, Iowa, October 16,
1869, a son of Dr. James McAlvin, who was a native of Scotland, and was a
graduate in medicine, having acquired his education in the Edinburgh Univer-
sity. He was one of the early practitioners in northeastern Iowa and was one
of the first doctors in the United States to open the abdomen in the region of

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 195

the appendix for the treatment of abscess and inflammation of the bowels, not
realizing that he was opening an abscess of the appendix.

Dr. J. G. McAlvin spent his youthful days in his parents' home and supple-
mented his early educational privileges by study in the State Normal school at
Cedar Falls and in the State University of Iowa, from which he was graduated
in the class of 1895 with the degree of Ph. B. Subsequently he pursued his
medical course in the same institution and won his professional degree as a
member of the class of 1897. Following his graduation he went immediately to
New York city and continued his studies in the New York Post Graduate school.
Thus splendidly equipped for professional duties and responsibilities, he located
for practice in Grundy Center in the spring of 1898. Success attended his
efforts during the six years of his residence there and in the spring of 1904 he
went abroad, taking special work in the line of his profession in London and in
Edinburgh, spending some eight months in study. In 1905 he returned to
Iowa, settling at Cedar Falls, where he resided until 1910, when he came to
Waterloo, seeking a broader held of labor. In the intervening years to the
present he has built up an extensive practice, being ranked among the success-
ful physicians of the city. He is able and conscientious in the performance of
professional duties, is most careful in the diagnosis of cases and at all times
is keenly interested in the investigations w^hich throw light upon the complex
mystery which we call life.

In 1899 Dr. McAlvin was united in marriage to Miss Clara Grace Hurst,
of Cedar Falls, and to them have been born two children: Helen Mar and
James Hurst. Dr. McAlvin is well known in Masonic circles as a member of
Emerald Lodge, No. 334, A. F. & A. M., and Ionic Chapter, No. 100, R. A. M.,
both of Grundy Center. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Order
of the Eastern Star, and Mrs. McAlvin is a member of the Congregational
church. They are highly esteemed for their many attractive social qualities
and during the period of their residence in Waterloo have gained many warm
friends, the hospitality of many of the best homes being freely accorded them.

LE CLAIR MARTIN.

Le Clair Martin, attorney at law of Cedar Falls, was born in Paola, Kansas,
on the 29th of November, 1870, a son of Dr. Charles M. Martin, a native of
Miami county, Ohio, who for thirty-five years was prominent in the medical
profession in Illinois and Iowa. At the present time, however, he is living
retired in Denver, Colorado. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Hortense
Bell, was the first white child born in Knox county, Illinois, and her death
occurred in April, 1910.

Le Clair Martin was educated in the public schools and at the Hull Educa-
tional Institute at Hull, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of
1888. In 1891 he entered the University of Michigan, in which he spent two
years. In 1893 his parents removed to Mount Vernon, Iowa, and he attended
Cornell College the following year. He was graduated from that institution
with the Ph. B. degree as a member of the class of 1894, after which he returned

196 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

to Ann Arbor and took up the study of law and completed his course in the
University of Michigan, where again the Ph. B. degree was conferred upon
him as a member of the class of 1895. In that institution he continued his law
studies and received the LL. B. degree upon graduation with the class of 1896.
In the autumn of the same year he came to Cedar Falls, where he entered into
a law partnership with Herman C. Hemenway, which connection existed until
the time of Mr. Hemenway "s retirement on the ist of October, 191 3. The same
month Mr. Martin became a partner of Harry B. Turnipseed, a relationship
that has since been maintained. The firm is one of the foremost at the bar of
Cedar Falls and is accorded a clientage that is not only large but distinctively
representative. Mr. Martin is regarded as a very able lawyer and he prepares
his cases with that thoroughness and precision which must always be the fore-
runner of success in the courts.

In October, 1901, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Mary White
Kinne, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, a daughter of Judge Edward D Kinne, who
for twenty-seven years has sat on the district bench of \\'ashtenaw county,
Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are the parents of a son and two daughters,
Edward Kinne, Mary Grace and Helen Hortense.

In his political views Mr. Martin is a stalwart republican, giving earnest
support to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He
served in the years 1899 and 1900 as city attorney but has never been an aspirant
for public office. He belongs to Red Cedar Lodge, No. 83, K. of P. ; to the
Cedar Falls Commercial Club and the Oak Lawn Golf Club. He is also a
member of the board of trustees of the Cedar Falls public library. He holds
membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as
steward, and his wife is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. He
takes the keenest interest in everything pertaining to the public welfare and to
the upbuilding and development of city and county and cooperates heartily
with measures and movements for the general good. At the same time he gives
careful attention to his law practice and his devotion to his clients' interests is
proverbial.

B. A. HASELMAN.

B. A. Haselman is a prominent factor in business circles of Waterloo as
the leading harness manufacturer of the city, being at the head of the Western
Harness & Supply Company at Xo. 615 Commercial street, which was organ-
ized in 1902. He conducts both a wholesale and retail enterprise, doing a mail
order business and selling to the farmer direct. His birth occurred in Dubuque
county, Iowa, in 1872, his parents being Anton and Leonore Haselman, both
of whom passed away in that county. The father was successfully engaged
in business as a contractor and builder. To him and his wife were born nine
children, as follows : John, who died when twenty-seven years of age ; Fred,
who is a resident of Empire City, Minnesota ; Chris, living in Nashua, Iowa ;
Fritz, of Wilmont, Minnesota; B. A., of this review; Anna, who gave her hand
in marriage to Albert Newman, of Dubuque, Iowa; Hannah, the wife of

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 197

Michael Eckstein, of Dubuque, Iowa; Kate, who is the wife of Jacob Smith
and resides in southern Minnesota ; and Gertrude, the wife of Asa Freeman,
of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

B. A. Haselman obtained his education in the common schools of his native
county and after attaining his majority served an apprenticeship in the harness
business. Subsequently he embarked in business on his own account as a manu-
facturer of and retail dealer in harness at Norway, Benton county, Iowa. In
1901 he sold out and came to Waterloo, establishing the Western Harness &
Supply Company, which was organized as such in the following year. Success
has attended his efforts and, as above stated, he is now the leading harness
manufacturer in the city. He owns one of the handsome homes of Waterloo
and also has residence property at Dyersville, Iowa.

In November, 1898, Mr. Haselman was united in marriage to Miss Rose
liehle. who was born in Norway, Benton county, this state, and whose parents
died when she was but a child. She has one brother, Louie, and three sisters,
namely: Minnie, who is the wife of George Frese, of Norway, Iowa; Mary,
the wife of Joseph Erger, of Norway, this state; and Anna. Mrs. Haselman
is the youngest of the family and a high-school graduate. By her marriage
she has become the mother of two sons and a daughter, as follows : Eldred A.,
who was born in 1901 ; Roger F., whose birth occurred in 1907; and Marlys R.,
born in 1913. Mr. Haselman is identified fraternally with the Benevolent Pro-
tective Order of Elks. Fie is an active, intelHgent and progressive business man
and one of the valued and representative citizens of Black Hawk county.

JOSEPH A. McNAUGHTON.

Joseph A. McNaughton, a well known resident of La Porte City, still owns

considerable land and was for some time actively engaged in farming. He was

born in Cedar township, Black Hawk county, on the 5th of June, 1862, a son

of Alexander and Jane McNaughton. The father was a native of Fort William,

Inverness-shire, Scotland, and the mother of Canada, although of Scotch descent.

When a boy of eleven years Alexander McNaughton accompanied his parents

to America,' the family locating in the province of Quebec, Canada. He learned

the carpenter's trade and followed that occupation in the Dominion until the fall

of 1859, when he came to the States and made his way by stage to Black Hawk

county. ' He was accompanied by his wife and seven children and on his arrival in

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, his capital consisted of but forty dollars. He cultivated a

rented farm for five years, after which he purchased a place and gave his attention

to its cultivation and development. He also worked at his trade to some extent

and was successful in both lines of activity. On the 6th of January, 1913, he

passed away at the unusual age of ninety-three years, having survived his wife

for almost fourteen years, as her death occurred on the 23d of February, 1899.

Joseph A. McNaughton was reared under the parental roof and acquired
his early education in the local schools. He later attended Tilford Academy
at Vinton, Iowa, after which he returned home and remained upon the farm
until the death of his father. He then purchased the interests of the other heirs

198 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

in the homestead and became its sole owner. It comprises two hundred and
eighty acres in Cedar township and is a valuable property, as the land is naturally
fertile and the farm has been wisely developed. Mr. McNaughton also owns a
section of land in Colorado, while the family together hold title to twenty-three
hundred acres and are numbered among the extensive land owners of the county.
He cultivated the homestead for about a year, or until March, 1914, and then left
the farm and removed to La Porte City with the intention of soon returning to
the work of an agriculturist. However, he became interested along other lines
and has now definitely taken up his residence in La Porte City, where he owns
a beautiful home. He is the republican candidate for county supervisor and is
devoting a great deal of time to political activity. For twenty years he served as
clerk of Cedar township and for about twelve years was treasurer of the school
board. In 1910 he was appointed census enumerator and performed accurately
and thoroughly the duties of that position. While upon the farm he made a
specialty of raising Chester White hogs and Durham cattle and was known as a
successful stockman.

Mr. McNaughton is a Presbyterian and bases his rules of conduct upon the
teachings of that organization. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias
lodge and the Knights of Luther. He is one of the substantial and representa-
tive citizens of the county and is a man of tried ability and integrity, respected
and esteemed by all who know him.

OLLIE O. FOULK.

Ollie O. F'oulk, a lifelong resident and substantial agriculturist of Black
Hawk county, makes his home on section 31, Cedar township. His birth
occurred in that township in January, 1877, his parents being W. H. and Cather-
ine (Myers) Foulk, natives of Perry county, Pennsylvania. The year 1867
witnessed their arrival in Black liawk county, Iowa, and here the father pur-
chased eighty acres of land on sections 30 and 29, Cedar township, at once
beginning the improvement of the property. As time passed and his financial
resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable business man-
agement, he augmented his holdings by additional purchase until at the present
time he owns six hundred acres of valuable land on sections 5, 29, 30 and 31,
Cedar township, all of which he is cultivating and which yields him a gratifying
annual income. Mr. and Mrs. Foulk, sixty-eight and seventy years of age
respectively, have lived in this county for nearly a half century and enjoy a
very wide and favorable acquaintance within its borders.

Ollie O. Foulk was reared and educated in Black Hawk county, supple-
menting his earlier training by a three years' course of study in the Waterloo
Business College. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-three
years of age and then started out as an agriculturist on his own account, culti-
vating a rented farm for one year. On the expiration of that period he pur-
chased a tract of one hundred and twenty acres on section 31, Cedar township,
improved the place and has since been busily engaged in its operation. Later
he bought eighty acres of the Smith farm on section 29 and this he also culti-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 199

vates. He is now feeding forty-seven head of cattle and annually feeds one or
two car loads, his live-stock interests adding materially to his income.

In January, 1900, Mr. Foulk was united in marriage to Miss Carrie M.
Weigle, her parents being John and Susan Weigle, who were natives of Ger-
many and emigrated to the United States, locating in Black Hawk county, Iowa,
in an early day. The father purchased land in Eagle township and actively
continued its cultivation until called to his final rest in 1909. For a number of
years he had survived his wife, who passed away about 1893. To Mr. and
Mrs. Foulk have been born five children, namely: Harold, Orie, Marie, Edna
and Nelda.

In politics Mr. Foulk is a stanch republican, having supported the men and
measures of that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise.
For the past four years he has served as school director and at the recent elec-
tion was chosen township trustee. His religious faith is that of the Christian
church. Fie has always taken an interest in all that pertains to the upbuilding
or development of the community and gladly gives his support to every measure
the adoption of which he feels would promote the general welfare.

ANSON THEODORE HUKILL.

Anson Theodore Hukill is superintendent of schools on the west side of
Waterloo and has devoted his entire life to educational work, being recognized
today as one of the prominent representatives of professional activity of that
character in the state. He was born upon a farm in Belmont county, Ohio,
October 4, 1858, and is of Holland lineage, the name having been originally
spelled Huykl. Little is known of the early history of the family in this country,
but his paternal great-grandfather, Joseph Hukill, served in the Revolutionary
war. His grandfather, Joseph Cochran Hukill, was born in Pennsylvania and
died in Ohio, in 1870, at the very venerable age of ninety-three years. His
son, Joseph C. Hukill, was born in Ohio and in early manhood wedded Mary
Jane Hall, also a native of that state. In 1861 they came to Iowa, settling on
a farm in Iowa county, and in 1890 they removed to Mount Pleasant, where
they lived for ten years. In 1900 they became residents of Cedar Rapids,
where Mrs. Hukill still makes her home but in 1914 was called upon to mourn
the loss of her husband, who passed away on the 21st of April of that year.

Anson T. Hukill was only three years old when the family arrived in this
state. He pursued his education in the country schools of Iowa county and
afterward attended the Iowa City Academy, where he prepared for entrance to
the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated in 1887 with the degree
of Bachelor of Philosophy, while in 1890 the degree of Master of Arts was con-
ferred upon him by the same institution. On leaving college he at once took up
the profession of teaching, becoming superintendent of schools at West Branch,
Iowa, where he remained for five years. He afterward spent seven years at
Williamsburg, Iowa, as superintendent of schools, and in 1899 he accepted his
present position as superintendent of schools on the west side of Waterloo,
where he has now remained for fifteen years. He holds to high ideals in his

200 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

profession, is ever advancing and improving his standards and through practical
effort has greatly promoted the interests of public education in this city and
state.

On the 30th of July, 1887, at Iowa City, Iowa, Mr. Hukill was united in
marriage to Miss Josephine Van Meter, who passed away on the 7th of October,
1910, leaving one son, Olin \'an Meter. On the 17th of July, 1913, at Waterloo,
Iowa, Mr. Hukill was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary
E. Mishler.

Mr. Hukill votes with the republican party but has never had aspiration for
political office. His military record covers service as captain of Company B
(University Battalion), Iowa National Guard, at Iowa City, during his senior
college year, to which rank he rose from that of corporal. In Masonry he has
attained the Knight Templar degree and he also has membership with the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He likewise belongs
to the Fortnightly Club, a literary society of which he has been the president,
and he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church — relations which
indicate the nature of his interests. He correctly values life and its opportuni-
ties, sees the chance for progress and improvement along material, intellectual
and moral lines and has been an active factor in the movement for general
uplift.

B. H. BYVANK.

B. H. Byvank is the president of the Byvank Transfer & Storage Company
of Waterloo. He was born in Cook county, Illinois, on the 27th of December,
i860, and is a son of George G. and Jennie (Glass) Byvank. The mother died
during the infancy of her son and in 1865 the father came to Iowa with his family,
settling on a farm in Bennington township. Black Hawk county, where he con-
tinued to reside until called to his final rest.

B. H. Byvank was but five years of age at the time of the removal to this state
and in the district schools of Bennington township he pursued his education. At
the time of his father's death he was nineteen years of age and upon him at that
time developed the management of the home farm. He was married in 1885 and
continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits upon the old homestead for
three or four years longer. He then bought a farm for himself in Bennington
township, continuing its cultivation until 1895, when he removed to Waterloo
and for six or seven years was employed by the Cutler Hardware Company, but
was ambitious to engage in business on his own account and at the end of that
time purchased a team and dray, thus starting in the transfer business. From
that humble beginning has been developed his present extensive drayage and trans-
fer business until he now utilizes sixteen teams and wagons beside an auto truck.
His patronage, which has grown year by year, is extensive and indicates wise and
careful management of his afifairs and reliable business methods.

In 1885, Mr. Byvank was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Reinhardt, of
Bremer county, Iowa, by whom he^ had three children, two of whom survive,
namely: Clarence A., who is associated with his father in business ; and Elsie, at

MR. AND MRS. B. H. BYVANK

,0N*

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 203

home. He holds membership in Black Hawk Lodge, No. ']2, L O. O. F., the
Modern Woodmen of America, Yeomen and the Waterloo Commercial Club. All
this indicates the nature of his interests and the breadth of his public spirit. His
has been a busy and active life in which from his school days to the present there
have been few idle hours. He recognized the fact that in America labor is king
and that he who would rule must win his advancement and demonstrate his
worth.

JOHN COOK GATES.

John Cook Gates, a member of the Black Hawk county bar, practicing at
Waterloo as the senior partner of the firm of Gates & Lififring, was born at
Hopewell, Ontario county, New York, February i6, 1838, a son of Joseph
Brown and Pamelia Bishop (Cook) Gates, also natives of the Empire state.
The son supplemented his public-school course by study in Genesee College at
Lima, New York, from which in due time he was graduated, winning the degree
of Bachelor of Science.

In 1864 Mr. Gates came to Waterloo, Iowa, and entered the law office of
Bagg & Allen for the study of law, thinking to make its practice his life work.
He also secured employment in the office of the county recorder and treasurer
and thus met his living expenses while preparing for the bar. In 1866 he was
elected county superintendent of schools of Black Hawk county but resigned
in 1867 to accept the office of deputy clerk of the courts, which would bring
him into more direct connection with the work which he ultimately wished to
follow. He served in that position and as deputy county auditor until 1872,
when he was elected clerk of the court, remaining as the incumbent of that
office for four terms or eight years. In 1877 he was admitted to the bar and
when he left the office of clerk of the courts he took up the practice of law,
becoming the junior member in 1881 of the firm of Alford & Gates, which
relation was maintained until 1900, when Mr. Alford died. Six months later
the firm of Gates, Hanson & Liffring was formed and that association was
maintamed for two years, when Mr. Hanson removed to California, since which
time the firm has been Gates & Liffring. They are accorded a liberal share of
the work done in the courts and their clientage is not only large but of a dis-
tinctively representative character, connecting them with much important liti-
gation. The thoroughness with which Mr. Gates prepares his work is one of
the strongest elements in his success. He is especially efficient in probate cases,
and many times he has been executor or attorney for executors in the settle-
ment of estates. Aside from his professional interests and duties he is a director
of the Fairview Cemetery Association, a director of the Sans Souci Associa-
tion, and a director and treasurer of the Waterloo Chautauqua & Bible Institute.

On the 1 6th of March, 1864, in Wayne county, New York, Mr. Gates was
united in marriage to Miss Adelia St. John, one of his classmates in Genesee
College. To them were born five children, two of whom survive: John Howard
Gates, a graduate of Iowa University, who is now one of the judges of the
supreme court ot South Dakota ; and Fanny Cook Gates, a graduate of North-

Vol. II— 11

204 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

western University of Evanston, Illinois, of the class of 1894. Later Bryu
Mawr College conferred upon her the Ph. D. degree. In 1898 she became pro-
fessor of physics in Goucher College at Baltimore, Maryland, and after twelve
years spent in that connection she entered the Chicago University for further
study. In 19 13 she was made dean of women in Grinnell College at Grinnell,
Iowa, where she still remains. Mrs. Adelia Gates passed away February 1,
1874, and on the 17th of May, 1877, in Rochester, New York, Mr. Gates was
again married, his second union being with Miss Sarah Frances Rumsey, who
was an intimate friend of his first wife. They have an adopted daughter, Helen
Teresa Gates, a graduate of Iowa State Teachers College, later a kindergarten
teacher in Galesburg, Illinois, and now a student in Chicago Kindergarten College.
Mr. Gates exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas-
ures of the republican party. He is a member of the Middle West Chapter
of Alden Kindred of xA.merica, being a direct descendant of John Alden. He
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and since 1865 has served on the
official board of Grace church, while for a third of a century he was secretary
of the board and recording steward. He has been a generous contributor to
the support of the church and has done everything in his power to further its
interests and extend its influence. He was for fifteen years a member of the
Waterloo school board and for nine years of that time he was its president.
He is interested in all those plans and projects for the uplift and benefit of human-
ity. His life has ever been actuated by broad humanitarian principles that have
prompted him on many occasions to extend a helping hand. He is today one
of the old-time residents of Waterloo, inasmuch as his connection with the city
covers a half century, and throughout the entire period he has been a helpful
factor in all that has pertained to its upbuilding.

ANDREW McELHINNEY.

In presenting the life record of Andrew McElhinney we give to our readers
the history of one who was widely and favorably known in Black Hawk county.
Although of Scotch ancestry, Mr. McElhinney was born in Donegal, Ireland,
March 13, 1829, and was one of a family of eight children, the only survivor
being his brother, Charles McElhinney, of Waterloo. Until he was fourteen
years old he attended the local schools, performed duties required in the house-
hold and grew up with the rude health an active busy life on a farm produces.
He made the best use of the limited opportunities for education, which he
acquired through reading and contact with aftairs.

In the spring of 1850 Andrew and his brother David left the old home and
three months later landed in Philadelphia. From May until August they worked
on a farm at seven dollars a month and then went to Oil Creek, where they
were accepted as employes in the White Oak Mills, where they worked at lum-
bering for two years. Their success brought two other brothers, Patrick and
William, to join them, and all worked together at Wild Cat Mills for six years.
There is no doubt that Andrew was the moving spirit which brought with him
Patrick and William on a prospecting tour to the west in 1855. ^'^ business

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 205

instinct suggested to him the purchasing of a tract of the fertile land which
rolled miles and miles away over the prairie, and the three brothers together
secured a section of land in Tama county, Iowa, Andrew entering one hundred
and sixty acres in Geneseo township, at one dollar and twenty-five cents an
acre. He then went back to the lumber regions but returned to his property
in the spring of 1858, broke his land and engaged George Slade, another pioneer,
to assist in the building of what was the first frame house put up in the town-
ship. That fall found him back again in the Pennsylvania lumber regions. His
return in the following year was with his wife, and they settled on his farm in
Tama county, which remained their home for thirty-one years.

A man so self-reliant, fearless and capable soon took his natural place
among his fellow citizens, and during his residence in that part of the county
Mr. McElhinney filled every local office. He served as postmaster, assessor,
trustee and school director and declined other positions of greater responsibility,
his personal affairs having commenced to weigh heavily upon his time. Having
added to his holdings from time to time he became the owner of eight hundred
and eighty acres of as fine land as could be found in Tama county and this he
brought to a high state of cultivation and added to it many modern improve-
ments.

With the desire to better educate his children and still keep them in the fam-
ily circle he retired from the farm in 1890 and removed to Waterloo, where he
purchased what was known as the Mabie home on the corner of Lime and High
streets, but in July, 1890, he bought the Krapfel home at 427 East Fifth street,
where he lived until his death and which is now owned and occupied by his
youngest daughter Tressa.

It was back in Pennsylvania that Mr. McElhinney first met his wife and
was married January 11, 1859, to Nancy Achsah Smith, at Tidioute, Pennsyl-
vania. She was an only daughter of Peter Smith and had two brothers, Hugh,
now living at Reeds Springs, Missouri ; and John, who died at Guys Mills, Penn-
sylvania, December 21, 191 2. Mrs. McElhinney was a descendant of the original
Smiths of Virginia. She was born in Tidioute, Pennsylvania, June 21, 1834, and
passed away at the family home in Waterloo, Iowa, November 9, 1914, leaving
two sons and two daughters, while three of her children passed away in infancy.
Estella J., the eldest, is the wife of Dr. H. H. Hanna of Waterloo. Fayette F.,
the oldest son, was married October 12, 1905, to Dessie Anderson and lives
in Waterloo. Byron W. lives at Goldfield, Iowa, and was married July 3, 1899,
to Fanny Agnes King. Tressa, the youngest, is single and lives in the old home.

In his political views Mr. McElhinney was a stalwart republican, as are also
his two sons. Fraternally he was a Mason, having joined the order in 1868,
at La Porte City, where he was made a Master Mason. After coming to
Waterloo he transferred his membership to the Waterloo lodge and until failing
health prevented he was a regular attendant, believing in its principles and
adopting them as one of his charts of life. A man of strict integrity, his busi-
ness was conducted "on the square." He was a man of upright life and clean
past. He will always be recalled as he was in his last moments — kind, genial
and even gay, concerned for the comforts of others rather than himself. In
his charming home, where he was seen at his best, he spent many happy, restful
hours, when with the cares of business laid aside, he would show those attrac-

206 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

tive attributes which made him so dearly beloved by his family and admired by
the hosts of friends whom it was his pleasure to hospitably entertain. From
boyhood he had been a consistent member of the Protestant Episcopal church,
and had long been one of the vestrymen of Christ church, Waterloo, and one
of its most liberal benefactors.

Air. McElhinney was one of the original stockholders in the Union Mill
Company and served as a director of that corporation from 1873, when the com-
pany was reorganized, until the time of his death and for many years was
president. He was also a director of the First National Bank of Waterloo, of
which financial institution he was for many years vice president. He was also
a stockholder of the Waterloo Improvement Company, which controlled and
improved the Logan House property, which is now owned and occupied by the
James Black Dry Goods Company. He had other large interests in various
business ventures in Waterloo. An important financial interest was the Citizens
State Bank of Goldfield. Iowa, which he founded and of which he was president,
his successor being his son Fayette until about four years ago, when Tressa was
elected president and Byron W'. cashier, and they are still serving in that
capacity.

Mr. McElhinney never had occasion to regret his determination to come
to America when a young man of twenty-one years. He had no unwarranted
opinion that fortune was to be had here for the asking, but he became familiar
with the eternal principle that industry wins, and he made industry the beacon
light of his life. As he passed on his energy and determination overcame many
difficulties and obstacles in his path and the honesty of his purpose commanded
for him the respect, confidence and goodwill of all. His memory is cherished
by those who knew him, for he was not only a progressive and reliable business
man but was a faithful friend, a loyal citizen and a devoted husband and father.
His wife, too, shared in the high respect which was uniformly accorded to Mr.
McElhinney and was indeed a true helpmate. Much of his success he attributed
to his loving wife, and they both did many good deeds for those who need
assistance on life's journey. Mr. McElhinney passed away at his home July 3,
1903.

Mr. McElhinney was ably assisted in his work by his youngest daughter Tressa,
who assisted him for years in looking after his financial interests, and as he
grew more feeble she more and more largely assumed the responsibility in
business matters and readily showed her splendid executive ability, unfaltering
enterprise and keen insight. She acquired her early education in the country'
school and afterward attended the Toledo high school, of which she is a gradu-
ate. Later she pursued a course in the Waterloo Business College, from which
she gradviated, and she completed a four years Chautauqua and scientific course,
doing the reading in her own home. In 1907 finding the need for a practical
banking experience she procured employment at the Black Hawk National
Bank, having charge of the savings department. She always felt this was a
great benefit to her in her private interests as it gave her a broader knowledge
of business. She had charge of her mother's business and her own and has
large financial interests in Waterloo. She is a stockholder in the Waterloo &
Cedar Falls Union Mill Company, and one of the largest stockholders in the
First National Bank ; also has stock in Rath Packing Company and in the

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 207

Black Hawk National Bank and in the Citizens State Bank of Goldfield, Iowa,
being president of the last named. She has worked some in real estate, having
built and now owns a number of residences which she rents, deriving therefrom
a substantial annual income. She has a half interest in the home farm of eight
hundred and eighty acres, her brother Byron owning the other half. She is
resourceful, alert and sagacious and is seldom if ever at fault in matters of busi-
ness judgment. She readily discerns the possibiHties of a situation and advances
steadily toward the goal for which she set out.

She possesses a singular modesty and simplicity of manner. There is no
ostentation about anything she says or does. When she does a kindness or
performs a duty she finds the sufficient reason for it in her own breast and has
no desire to have it heralded abroad. She is prominent in club and social
circles, having been secretary and treasurer of the Woman's Club, and she is
now secretary and treasurer of the fine arts department of the Woman's Club
and was president of the Westminster guild of the Presbyterian church and has
filled dififerent offices in the Eastern Star.

ALFRED A. HOFFMANN, M. D.

Dr. Alfred A. Hofifmann is practicing in Waterloo as a member of the well
known and prominent firm of O'Keefe, Brown & Hofifmann. His ability as a
physician has gained him high rank and his skill is being constantly augmented by
further reading and broad experience. He was born in Dubuque, Iowa, Feb-
ruary II, 1891, a son of Mathias and Mary (Voelker) Hofi'mann, both of whom
were natives of Dubuque, in which city the father conducted one of the pio-
neer undertaking establishments, having now been engaged in business there for
thirty-five years. He is a past president of the Iowa Funeral Directors Asso-
ciation. His wife also survives and they were the parents of nine children:
Leo A., who is now engaged in the undertaking business in Omaha, Nebraska ;
Martha, the wife of Dr. H. R. Thill, of Dubuque, Iowa ; Mary, the wife of
M. J. Grace, a deputy clerk of the courts in Dubuque; Sister Mary Jeanette,
of the Franciscan Convent of Dubuque; Mathias M., who has joined the priest-
hood and is assistant pastor of St. Francis church at Dyersville, Iowa: Alfred
A.; Herbert J., a law student in the lowa University at Iowa City; Alois M.,
who is attending Dubuque College: and Txlartin H., also a student in that insti-
tution.

Dr. Hoftmann was reared in Dubuque to the age of eighteen years and was
a student in St. Joseph's College to the age of seventeen. He then began prepa-
ration for his profession in the department of medicine of the Creighton Uni-
versity at Omaha, Nebraska, where he remained as a student for four years
and was graduated with the class of 1912. The M. D. degree was then con-
ferred upon him, after which he went to Denver, Colorado, and was an interne
in St. Anthony's Hospital for a year, gaining broad practical experience through
hospital practice with its varied opportunities and demands. He then came to
Waterloo and entered the St. Francis Hospital as an interne, remaining in
that position for a year. On the expiration of that period he joined Dr. O'Keefe

208 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

and Dr. Brown in a partnership that led to the adoption of the present firm name
of O'Keefe, Brown & Hofifmann. He now has charge of the X-ray department
at the St. Francis Hospital at Waterloo in connection with the conduct of a
general practice which is now extensive and important. The offices of the
firm are located in a suite of rooms in the Commercial Bank building.

Dr. Hofifmann holds membership in the Catholic church and with the Knights
of Columbus. He comes of a family that has adhered to the democratic faith
in politics and he, too, is an advocate of the party. He belongs to the Phi Beta
Pi, a medical fraternity, and along strictly professional lines is connected with
the Waterloo Medical Society and the Black Hawk County Medical Society.
Although but a young man, he has already attained a most creditable position
in professional circles that many an older practitioner might well envy.

GEORGE S. FERGUSON.

It is an unusual thing that four brothers of a family should continue in busi-
ness together, for conditions and individual tastes usually separate them. How-
ever, in the Ferguson family, which has been represented in this county since
1868, there are four brothers who are partners in the ownership of the business
conducted under the name of the Ferguson Manufacturing Company. One of
these brothers is he whose name introduces this review and who throughout the
greater period of his active business life has been connected with industrial
pursuits. He was born m Bradford county, Pennsylvania, in 1862, a son of
Edward and Isabelle (Cummings) Ferguson, who are mentioned at length on
another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Albert R. Ferguson.
The family arrived in this county in 1868, when George S. Ferguson was but a
little lad, and their home was established on a farm eight miles northeast of
Waterloo.

George S. Ferguson attended the district schools of Bennington township
and afterward became a student in the Prairie Home Seminary. He worked in
the fields when not busy with his text-books and remained at home until twenty-
one years of age, when he went to South Dakota, where he took up a claim and
in connection with its development operated a well drilling machine for one
year. At the end of that time he returned to Iowa, where he engaged in the
creamery business for about three years. He next purchased a drilling machine
and devoted the succeeding five years to drilling wells. At the end of that time
he was employed as a traveling salesman by the Kelley & Tannehill Company
and represented that house upon the road for about fifteen years, his long con-
tinued connection with the business indicating his capability and his faithfulness
to the trust reposed in him by his employers. Others of the family w^ere also in
the employ of the firm, to whom the name of Ferguson stood as a synonym for
reliability and capability. On leaving the road George S. Ferguson joined his
l)rothers in the organization of the Ferguson Manufactviring Company and has
since been general manager of the business, which is that of manufacturing well
drilling machinery and supplies. His early experience in well drilling stands
him in good stead in this connection, having brought to him a practical knowl-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 209

edge of the work to be done by the machinery which his company now manu-
factures. He concentrates his energies upon this business and his close appli-
cation and keen insight have been factors in its growing success.

On the 23d of December, 1894, Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage to
Miss Katherine Lemper, who was born in Galena, Illinois, a daughter of Paul
and Anna (Cawthorn) Lemper, both of whom were natives of Illinois, whence
they came to Iowa when Waterloo was a village and gave little promise of ever
reaching its present metropolitan size and conditions. However, they took up
their abode in Waterloo and the father engaged in the hardware business, in
which he continued until a few years prior to his death, which occurred in the
latter '80s. His widow still resides in Waterloo, occupying the old home on
Franklin street. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have one son, Paul L., who is now a
high-school pupil. They occupy an attractive residence at No. 302 Mobile
street which Mr. Ferguson owns, together with other real estate in this city.

He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of
American Yeomen. He usually votes the democratic ticket although he is inde-
pendent in his political views and actions. At one time he served as township
clerk of Bennington township, but he cares little for public office, preferring to
concentrate his efforts and attention upon other interests. He belongs to Grace
Methodist Episcopal church and high and honorable principles guide him in all
life's relations.

HENRY F. HOPPE.

Henry F. Hoppe is the owner of a valuable property of one hundred and
eighty-six acres situated on sections 4 and 5, Spring Creek township. He also
has other real-estate holdings in the county and his land is the visible evidence
of a life of well directed energy and thrift. He was born in Germany, October
5, 1879, and is a son of Carl L. and Christina (Tebbe) Hoppe, who are men-
tioned in connection with the sketch of C. F. Hoppe, on another page of this
work.

The usual experiences of the farm lad fell to the lot of Henry F. Hoppe
during his boyhood and youth. He was but five years of age when his parents
came to the new world and therefore he was practically reared as well as edu-
cated in Black Hawk county, attending the parochial and district schools. He re-
mained at home until he reached the age of thirteen years and then started out
in life on his own account, living by working as a farm hand. He was thus
employed for eight years, during which time he practiced frugality as well as
industry and acquired the capital that enabled him to purchase eighty acres of
land in Spring Creek township. For five years he resided upon that farm and
continued its cultivation, after which he removed to Waterloo, where he engaged
in teaming for a year and a half. He next entered the employ of the W. E.
Closson Medicine Company as traveling agent and was for five years thus en-
gaged. He then resumed agricultural pursuits, returning to Spring Creek town-
ship. At that time he purchased the old Seaman farm of one hundred and
eighty-six acres on sections 4 and 5 and in the intervening years he has culti-

210 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

vated this place and has added to it various modern improvements which make
it one of the splendid farm properties of the district. It presents a neat and
thrifty appearance and the well tilled fields annually return golden harvests.
The place is well fenced and is divided into fields of convenient size in which are
raised exxellent crops of corn, wheat and other cereals. Mr. Hoppe still owns
his original eighty acres on section 9 and from his property derives a substantial
annual income.

Mr. Hoppe is the secretary for La Porte City district of the Maxfield Insur-
ance Company. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and
measures of the democratic party and keeps well informed on the questions and
issues of the day and is ever ready to support his position by intelligent argu-
ment. He does not seek office, however, preferring that others should win the
political positions. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He is
truly a self-made man, for from the early age of thirteen years he has been
dependent upon his own resources. At a period when most boys are in school
he was earning his living and smce that time he has had few idle hours, his dili-
gence, determination and sound business judgment bringing to him the success
which he now enjoys.

JOHN SMELSER.

For the past two decades John Smelser has lived retired in La Porte City,
but for a number of years he was energetically engaged in agricultural pursuits.'
He was born in Tennessee in October, 1826, a son of Henry and Betsy (King)
Smelser, natives of Tennessee and \'irginia respectively. The father was^a
farmer and cultivated land in the Big Bend state for some time. He subse-
quently removed to Indiana with his family and eventually to Benton county,
Iowa, arriving there when that region was still scarcely touched by civilization!
He continued to devote his energies to farm work until his death, which occurred
in 1889. His wife died in La Porte City in 1882.

John Smelser was reared and educated in the Hoosier state and when a
young man of twenty years was there married and began farming upon his own
account. In 1852 he came to this county and purchased one hundred and sixty
acres of land, later adding an additional forty acres. He improved his prop-
erty, a part of which is situated over the line in Benton county, and operated
his farm successfully until 1894, when he retired and removed to La Porte City,
where he has since resided, enjoying the leisure made possible by his labor in
former years.

Mr. Smelser was married in October, 1846, to Miss Mary A. Hogshire, and
they became the parents of five children: John, a resident of Sioux Falls, South
Dakota ; Nettie, who died when an infant of eighteen months ; Ernest, who lives
in Minnesota; Henry, residing in La Porte City ; and a child who died in infancy.
The wife and mother was called to the home beyond in 1893 and five years later
Mr. Smelser married Mrs. Mary A. Dooley, of La Porte.

Mr. Smelser is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in good standing
and contributes of his means to the carrying on of its work and the spread of

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 211

its influence. Since age conferred upon him the right of suffrage he has voted
the repubhcan ticket and held a number of local offices while living upon his
farm, including that of township trustee. As an agriculturist he was alert,
progressive and industrious, and his farm repaid his care and labor by yielding
abundant crops, which brought a good price upon the market. His personality
is one that inspires respect and confidence, and his probity and honor are never
questioned.

JOSEPH LEWIS POWERS, M. D.

Dr. Joseph Lewis Powers, one of the most venerable citizens of Iowa, passed
away in Waterloo on the 29th of October, 1914, when in the ninety-first year of
his age, but his memory remains as a benediction and an inspiration to all with
whom he came in contact, so high were his principles, so exalted his ideals, so
generous, kindly and helpful his acts. He was born near Schenectady, New
York, December 11, 1823, his parents being Lewis and Mehitable (Whitehead)
Powers, natives of Vermont. He was three years of age when his parents
removed to Newstead, New York, and was a youth of eleven years at the time
of their emigration westward to Ohio in 1835. At the age of seventeen years
he purchased his time from his father and through the following two years
worked upon the farm.

Not content with the educational opportunities he had thus far received, he
attended the schools of Ashland, Ohio, and also Granville College, and subse-
quently he took up the profession of teaching. W'hile thus engaged he devoted
his leisure hours to the study of medicine and in further preparation for prac-
tice he attended the Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, in the years
1847 a"d 1848. He afterward began the practice of medicine at Blendon, near
Columbus, and in 1850, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he made
the long journey across the plains to the Pacific coast, where he arrived after
traveling for one hundred and ten days. During the succeeding year and a half
he conducted a medical and surgical hospital in addition to his work as a miner.
He then decided to return to his Ohio home and started eastward with eighteen
hundred dollars in gold, the savings of his year and a half. He returned by
way of San Francisco and the Isthmus route to New Orleans, proceeded up the
Mississippi to St. Louis and thence made his way to Morrow county, Ohio,
where he invested in two hundred acres of land. He then rented his farm and
afterward started on a three hundred mile horseback ride to the home of his
affianced wife, Jannette S. Byam, who was then living in Iowa. They were
married at Andrew, this state, on the 30th of December, 1852, and immediately
returned to Ohio to begin their domestic life in a new log house which had
been erected on the farm. They occupied that place for seven years and there
their older children were born. At the end of that time they removed westward
to Iowa, settling in Homer township, Benton county, where Dr. Powers resumed
the practice of medicine in connection with the development and improvement
of his farm. There he lived for seven years, after which he went to Irving,
Iowa, and opened an office, concentrating his energies upon his practice. In

212 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

1876 he was graduated from the Keokuk Medical College, which at that time
was the medical department of the University of Iowa. In 1878 he removed to
Reinbeck, where he followed his profession for many years, but after the death
of his wife he retired from active practice and spent his last years with his
children.

Dr. Powers had two sons and three daughters : Dr. F. W. and L. E. Powers,
both of Waterloo; Mrs. J. H. Welch, of Belle Plaine; Mrs. S. H. Cranmer, of
Minneapolis: and Mrs. J- A. \\'ebb. of Waterloo, at whose home he was staying
when death called him.

Dr. Powers was a man of strong Christian faith and spirit. He thought
little of himself or his own interests but devoted his life to service for his fam-
ily and for the uplift of humanity. When forty-five years of age he joined the
Methodist Episcopal church at Irving and from that time forward was a very
active church worker, making his religion a part of his everyday existence and
not merely a matter of Sunday observance. On removing to Reinbeck he be-
came a charter member of the Methodist Episcopal church of that place and
he ever endeavored to make his life the expression of his Christian belief and
of the teachings of Him who came not to be ministered unto but to minister.

That his life broadened in its outlook, in its perceptions and in its purposes
is indicated by excerpts from letters which he wrote or from things that he said.
At the time of the celebration of his silver wedding anniversary, in responding
to the felicitations and best wishes of the friends that had gathered, in addressing
his wife upon the part which she had filled so faithfully, he said, among other
things, "As we enter another quarter of a century in the great race of life, if we
fail to reach the golden anniversary of our wedded life, may we with these
friends receive a rich and abiding crown in the Great Beyond." Twenty years
later, upon reaching his seventy-fifth birthday, in writing a letter to one of his
daughters, he said: "As we stand at the open door of the unwritten future
with responsibilities pressing hard for a satisfactor)^ solution, our riper experi-
ence would dictate that duty performed may bring responsibility, but never
failure nor dishonor. Live on the bright side of life, pressing hard to the right,
that honest thought, abiding purpose and Christian living shall be an inspiration
as we make toward the other shore." Five years later, at the age of eighty, on
the occasion of the celebration of the golden wedding anniversary of his wedded
life, in responding to the greetings of friends, he said: "There are times when
sentiment lingers at the threshold of thought and the tongue falters ; and we
are almost mute in attempting to put into words, at such a time as this, a proper
appreciation of abiding confidence and friendship. Pleasant memories remind
us that twenty-five years ago a number of this company called upon us and left
tokens of good-will on the occasion of our silver wedding. At that time we
thought we were nearing Pisgah's height of human Hfe; but tonight as memory
sweeps over a quarter of a century, the flashlight of experience and duty reminds
us that we were then only in the foothills of life's mission. As I stand in the
twilight in the coveted height of four score years and view the plain below, I
am reminded that the heart treasures are the brightest pictures hanging on the
walls of memory, and richest fruitage is gathered from friendship's altar. Stand-
ing at the open door of the unknown future and scanning the horizon of human
life, I am glad that, amid all its failures, life is not all a dream, but is big with

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 213

possibilities and hope. We must remember that it is individual purpose and
effort — leaning hard to the right — that gives coloring to character and makes
history worthy of a place on the tablet of memory." Later, at the age of eighty-
seven, he took some pleasure in composing a poem of eight verses on "The
Voyage of Life,'' which he has left to the family in his own handwriting. One
of the verses reads as follows :

"Shadows may o'ertake you, on the way.
And thus you wander, may go astray,
Bethlehem's star, a light for thee,
To brighten hope, a guide at sea." '

The year following the death of his wife he wrote: 'T am floating on the
current of time, and in the passmg of my eighty-eighth birthday, I am abiding
my time for the call to come up higher." Upon the celebration of his ninetieth
birthday, which was held December ii, 1913, upon which occasion many friends
called and extended their best wishes for his future health and happiness, he
said, among other things worthy of repetition: "Self is a mighty poor master;
self is the worst devil to contend with. My advice to the young is first, honesty,
and a high regard for Christianity, for their own betterment and the betterment
of society."

At all times Dr. Powers held to the highest ideals and constantly put forth
effort for their adoption. The consensus of public opinion is that his was a
most earnest and consistent Christian character. Llis presence as much as his
professional aid constituted a stimulus and a blessing in the sick room. He held
friendship inviolable ; he was loyal to every duty and certainly the world is
better for his having lived. He came to an honored old age with few pages in
his life record that he might wish to erase ; on the contrary his history is one
which should serve to inspire and encourage others, as it points out the value of
character, of noble living and of honorable purpose.

T. C. KOENEKE.

J. C. Koeneke is secretary and treasurer of the Iowa Real Estate & Invest-
ment Company of Waterloo and belongs to that class of men whose ready recog-
nition and improvement of opportunities have led to their success. His birth
occurred in Bremer county, Iowa, in 1886, and, spending his boyhood and youth
there, he supplemented his early educational training by study in the Waverly
high school and afterward entered the State Agricultural College at Ames, being
graduated from the dairy department of that institution with the class of 1905.
He was afterward appointed milk inspector for the large creamery plant at
Litchfield, Minnesota, where he remained for a year, and later he became asso-
ciated with his uncle, who was assistant dairy food commissioner of Illinois.
Some time later he became secretary and treasurer of the Iowa Real Estate &
Investment Company of Waterloo, which handles its own property, building
factories, homes or any structure that prospective purchasers require. The

214 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

business of the firm is extensive and important and has constituted one of the
effective and forceful elements in the upbuilding and progress of the citv. Me
has never ceased to feel an interest in that line of work for which his college
training qualified him and he is now a member of the board of directors of the
Dairy Cattle Congress.

In 1909 ]\Ir. Koeneke was married to Aliss Hazel M. Cass, a daughter of
J. F. Cass, vice president of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Railroad
Company, and they have one daughter, Mrginia Louise.

Mr. Koeneke holds membership with the Evangelical church. His interest
in public affairs also extends beyond the moral aspect to the upbuilding of those
forces which contribute to the welfare and progress of the city along material
lines. To this end he is a member of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade
and of the Town Criers Club. He is a young man of capability, alert and ener-
getic, and has made for himself a creditable position in the business world.

L. P. SINNARD.

America has aptly been termed the. land of opportunity. In a country where
effort is unhampered by caste or class diligence and determination can always
win recognition. A resident of Waterloo for more than a quarter of a century,
having arrived in this city in 1888, L. P. Sinnard is now well known as one
of the partners in the firm of Sinnard Brothers, leading grocers of this section
of the state.

Iowa claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Kellogg, Jas-
per county, in 1870. He is a son of Cyrus and Emily Sinnard and in his early
boyhood accompanied his parents on their removal to Eddyville. Iowa, where he
was reared to the age of seventeen years. He afterward spent a year in Omaha,
Nebraska, and at the age of eighteen came to A\'aterloo, where he has now resided
for twenty-six years. He has only been out of the state twice since that time
and his close application to business and his unfaltering energy have brought
him to a conspicuous and honorable position in the trade circles of his adopted
city.

Almost immediately after his arri\al here Air. Sinnard entered the employ
of Morrell & Turner, grocers, with whom he continued for about five years.
He was afterward in the employ of other firms until the 2d of June. 1908, but
throughout the entire period was actuated by a laudable desire of one day en-
gaging in business on his own account. This hope soon saw its fulfilment when,
in 1908, he and his brother formed a partnership under the firm style of Sinnard
Brothers and embarked in the grocery trade on their own account in Waterloo,
where the firm name has since become a household word. They began business
in a little room on East Fifth street in the Ellis Hotel block and from the begin-
ning success attended their eft'orts because of their unremitting diligence, their
earnest desire to please their patrons and their thoroughly reliable business
methods. On the ist of August, 1912. they bought out the grocery business of
A. H. Pinkerton at No. 216 West Fourth street and L. P. Sinnard took charge
of this store and there developed the largest retail grocery business in West

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 215

Waterloo. On the ist of July, 191 3, they removed their East Waterloo store to
the present location at No. 320 East Fourth street, where they have very com-
modious quarters. That business is in charge of R. C. Sinnard, mention of
whom appears elsewhere in this volume. The Sinnard Brothers employ on an
average of twenty-eight salesmen and others to take care of their business. They
have four delivery wagons on the west side and two wagons and a large auto
truck for delivery on the east side. Their trade has now reached extensive
proportions, making them the leading grocers of Waterloo. They carry a most
attractive stock of staple and fancy groceries, furnishing everything known to
the trade in their line, and their stock equals in kind any to be found in the
largest cities. In fact, their establishment would be a credit to a city of much
greater size than Waterloo. They have always been most careful in the stand-
ard of goods carried, in the personnel of the house and in the treatment ac-
corded patrons, and as a result of their methods their business has grown year
by year.

In 1893 Mr. Sinnard was united in marriage to Miss Emma Duke, who passed
away in June, 1910, leaving three children: Marie, Duke and Margery. Mr.
Sinnard belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to the Tribe of Ben
Hur, to the Knights and Ladies of Security and the Modern Brotherhood of
America. He is also a member of the Commercial Club and the Young Men's
Christian Association. He is, moreover, a public-spirited citizen and, strong in
his individuality, he never lacks the courage of his convictions. He is well
known for the sterling integrity and honor of his character, which have naturally
gained for him the respect and confidence of men. He is widely and favorably
known throughout Waterloo and Black Flawk county and his worth well merits
the high regard which is uniformly given him.

JESSE O. BURGESS.

Jesse O. Burgess, one of the honored veterans of the Civil war who has
lived in well earned retirement at La Porte City since 1908, was for more than
four decades actively and successfully identified with agricultural pursuits in
Black Hawk county. His birth occurred in Virginia on the 3d of December,
1835, his parents being Edward and Catherine (Pixler) Burgess, the former a
native of Pennsylvania and the latter of the Old Dominion. They came to
Iowa in an early day and after residing for some time in Allamakee county re-
moved to Waterloo, Black Hawk county, the father being here engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits. Subsequently he returned to Allamakee county, where his
demise occurred in 1894, while his wife passed away in 1884.

Jesse O. Burgess was reared and educated in the state of his nativity and
was a young man of about twenty-two years when in 1857 he removed with
his parents to Allamakee county, Iowa. At the time of the outbreak of the
Civil war he enlisted for service with the Union army as a member of Company
I, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, and remained with that command for three
years, holding the rank of sergeant. He participated in a number of hotly con-

216 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY •

tested engagements and made a most creditable military record, never faltering
in the performance of any task assigned him. Following the period of his army
service he came to Black Hawk county and here carried on general agricultural
pursurts continuously and successfully until 1908, when he put aside the active
work of the fields and took up his abode in La Porte City, where he purchased
an attractive residence and has since made iiis home. He also owns one hun-
dred and sixty acres of land in Colorado and is widely recognized as one of the
substantial and esteemed citizens of his community.

On the 23d of August, 1862, Mr. Burgess was joined in wedlock to Aliss
Alary L. Dibble, whose parents w^ere natives of Vermont and New York re-
spectively and passed away in Pennsylvania. The father devoted his time and
energies to farming throughout his active business career. Mr. and Mrs. Burgess
became the parents of six children, namely : Reuben A. ; Lura ; Otto ; Cora,
who is deceased; James; and Charles, a barber of La Porte City.

Mr. Burgess has always exercised his right of franchise in support of the
men and measures of the republican party, believing firmly in its principles.
In religious faith he is a Alelhodist, and he still maintains pleasant relations
with his old army comrades as a member of F. M. Thompson Post, G. A. R.
He has now passed the seventy-ninth milestone on life's journey and enjoys the
respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus
far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright
and honorable.

A. M. PLACE.

A. M. Place, the vice president of the First National Bank, has been a resi-
dent of Waterloo since 1871 and in the intervening period of forty-three years
has advanced steadily in business circles, worth and ability winning him promo-
tion trom time to time until he has reached his present enviable place among the
financiers of Black Hawk county. Fie was born in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1862, a
son of Thomas W. and Mary J. (Alyers) Place, who came to Black Hawk
county in 1871 and are still residing within its borders.

A. M. Place was at that time a lad of nine years. He at once entered the
public schools of Waterloo and when his text-books w'ere put aside he imme-
diately started upon his business career, entering the employ of the Illinois
Central Railroad Company as telegraph operator. He was from 1881 until
1912 associated with various lines of railroad work. Each step in his career was
a forward one and each change brought him larger responsibilities and also
wider opportunities. In 1912 he was called to the vice presidency of the First
National Bank and is thus connected with one of the strongest financial institu-
tions of the county. He is also the vice president of the First National Bank
Building Company and is treasurer of the Marsh-Place Building Company,
which has recently erected one of the finest business structures of the city. He
is likewise a director in the Waterloo Loan & Trust Company and is thus actively
and extensively connected with some of the most important business concerns
of the city. His worth and capability are more and more widely recognized and

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 217

his cooperation has accordingly been sought, while his judgment has constituted
an element in the successful conduct of different business institutions.

In 1900 Mr. Place was united in marriage to Miss Madge Manson, who was
born and reared in Waterloo. They attend the Presbyterian church and their
lives are guided by high and honorable principles. Mr. Place also conforms its
teachings to the beneficent spirit of Masonry and he has membership with the
Elks, with the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and with the Country
Club of Waterloo. His record in every relation has been so honorable that he
has gained the confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has been brought
in contact and he is justly accorded a place among the prominent and -repre-
sentative residents of Black Hawk county.

CHARLES J. BROAD.

Charles J. Broad is numbered with that class of citizens in whose lives effort
and determination spell success. He had no special advantages at the outset of
his career but he possessed determination and ambition, which are perhaps bet-
ter than capital, and gradually he has worked his way upward until he now
ranks with the prosperous farmers of Spring Creek township. His farm is on
sections 25 and 26 and comprises one hundred and seventy-five acres of excel-
lent land, the soil being very arable.

Mr. Broad is a native son of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred in that
state on the 8th of August, 1857, his parents being J. M. and Polly (Wells)
Broad, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio. The father
was a blacksmith by trade and went to Wisconsin in an early day. He there
engaged in blacksmithing until i860, when he came with his family to Black
Hawk county, Iowa, and subsequently established his home near Brandon,
Buchanan county, where he again worked at his trade until his health failed.
He then retired from active business life and lived upon a thirteen-acre tract
of land which he owned near the home of his son, Charles J., remaining there
to the time of his death, which occurred in March, 1891, when he was seventy
years of age. Plis widow survives and is now living upon that place at the very
advanced age of eighty-five years.

Charles J. Broad spent the period of his boyhood and youth in Iowa, being
a lad of but three years when the family left Wisconsin and came to this state.
He attended the public schools and at an early age began providing for his own
support in working as a farm hand, thus spending several years. But he was
ambitious to engage in business on his own account and at the age of sixteen
years he rented land which he cultivated until he had attained his majority.
During that period he carefully saved his earnings and his industry and economy
brought him the capital that enabled him at the age of twenty-one to purchase a
small tract of land on section 26, Spring Creek township. To this he kept adding
from time to time as his financial resources increased until within the boundaries
of his farm are comprised one hundred and seventy-five acres of fine land
situated on sections 25 and 26, the buildings being upon the former section.
When the first small tract came into his possession he at once began to cultivate

218 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

and develop it and has since given his undivided attention to the work of the
farm with the result that his labors have been crowned with a gratifying measure
of success. He annually harvests good crops and he employs the most modern
methods in tilling the soil and caring for the harvests. He also has good grades
of stock upon his place and the farm is today a valuable property. He is like-
wise a stockholder in the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Interurban Railroad
Company.

In April, 1885, occurred the marriage of Mr. Broad and Miss Celestia Cramer,
a daughter of George and Lydia (Parker) Cramer, the former a native of New
York and the latter of Pennsylvania. They came to La Porte City, Iowa, about
i860, having in the meantime, however, lived for a time in Wisconsin. The
father was a stonemason and worked at his trade throughout the period of his
residence in this county. He died in November, 1894, at the age of sixty years,
while his wife passed away in September, 1883, at the age of forty-four years.
Their daughter, Mrs. Broad, was born in La Porte City in October, 1865, and
by her marriage became the mother of four children : Fred, who is a farmer
of Spring Creek township, this county; Vera, who died March 8, 1904, at the
age of sixteen years ; Harry, who is married and is operating a farm in Spring
Creek township ; and Myrta, who is engaged in teaching school in Spring Creek
township.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist church and the
political belief of Mr. Broad is in harmony with the platform of the republican
party. He and his family are widely and favorably known and the hospitality
of the best homes of their section of the county is freely accorded them. They
display many good traits of heart and mind and have gained a large circle of
warm friends.

GEORGE S. MORNIN.

Ability will come to the front anywhere and enterprise is an indomitable
quality that will win success in the face of the strongest difficulties. These
qualities are numbered among the characteristics of George S. Mornin, whose
well formulated plans for business have been carried forward to successful
completion, bringing him to the presidency of the Security Trust & Savings
Bank, of Cedar Falls, which is one of the leading financial institutions of Black
Hawk county. He was born December 4, 1864, in the city in which he still
makes his home, his parents being Peter D. and Caroline (Noll) Mornin. The
father was born in the suburbs of Dublin, Ireland, and the mother was born in
Pennsylvania and came of Pennsylvania-Dutch parentage.

In the year 1854 Peter D. Mornin crossed the Atlantic to the United States.
He was then a young man and following his arrival here became associated with
John FI. Osborn as a sub-contractor on the building of the Philadelphia & Read-
ing Railroad. He was married in Newmanstown, Pennsylvania, and in 1858
came west to Iowa, traveling by stage from Dunleath, at that time the terminus
of the Illinois Central Railroad, to Cedar Falls, crossing the river here on a
pontoon bridge. He found but a small village containing only a few white peo-

GEORGE S. MOENIN

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 221

pie and many Indians. He worked at whatever he could do that would give him
a living for himself and wife. In later years he was street commissioner of
Cedar Falls for seven years and for six years served as a member of the city
council. He died in July, 1913, when more than eighty-five years of age, while
his wife passed away in 1906 at the age of sixty-five years.

They were the parents of five children, of whom only George S. Mornin
survives. He was reared in Cedar Falls and attended its schools, passing through
consecutive grades until he became a high-school pupil. When a youth of seven-
teen years he went to work for the Alexander Graham Milling Company, with
which he was identified until the mill was destroyed by fire. He afterward found
employment with F. L. Morgan in the drug business at a salary of one hundred
and fifty dollars per year, and eventually passed the examination as a pharmacist
before the state board without having pursued a college course. This was three
years after he had undertaken work in Lliat line. Later he engaged in the drug
business on his own account and subsequently organized the Cedar Falls Drug
Company, which was developed under his management to one of the leading
business concerns of the city. In 1907 he sold that business to advantage and
in company with F. W. Paulger, on the 20th of January, 1908, organized the
Security Savings Bank, which was changed to the Security Trust & Savings
Bank after the state legislature passed the bill allowing all banks to act as
trustees of estates. Mr. Mornin was made president of the institution at the
time of its organization and has since served in that capacity.

Mr. Mornin was married in 1897 to Miss Delia A. Dayton, a daughter of
M. A. Dayton, one of the foremost residents of Cedar Falls. Mr. Mornin holds
membership in Black Hawk Lodge, A. F. & A. M., also with the Ancient Order
of LInited Workmen, and the Knights of Pythias. He is likewise a member of
the Cedar Falls Commercial Club and ranks with the city's leading residents.
His business ability finds practical demonstration in his success. He started
out in life empty-handed, resolving that he would win for himself a creditable
place in business circles. He has never allowed difficulties or obstacles to dis-
courage him ; on the contrary he has regarded them rather as an impetus for
renewed effort on his part and today he is classed with those men for whom
opportunity has spelled success and who, in promoting their own advancement,
have also contributed to the upbuilding of the district in which they live.

CLAYTON L. HOLDEN.

A city that is growing as rapidly as Waterloo and has such excellent business
advantages and opportunities naturally must have first class hotels in order to
meet the demands of the traveling public. Waterloo is not lacking in this par-
ticular and two of the excellent hostelries of the city are under the control of
the Horton-Holden Hotel Company, of which Clayton L. Holden is the secre-
tary and treasurer. He is acting as manager of the Ellis Hotel and has for
four years been well known as a factor in the business life of the community.

He was born near Erie, Pennsylvania, and was reared in that state, while

its public schools afforded him his educational privileges. He was about twenty-
voi. n— 12

222 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

two years of age when he entered the employ of the Reed House of Erie, and
later was connected with the Palace Hotel of North East, Pennsylvania. From
his initial step he made constant advancement and at dififerent periods success-
fully conducted hotels in Cleveland and Conneaut, Ohio, and in Chicago. He
afterward managed a hotel for the Phelps Dodge Company at Morenci, Arizona.
Going to Omaha, Nebraska, he there had charge of the Country Club. He was
also made manager of the Midlothian Country Club of Chicago and has been in
charge of the Ellis Hotel in Waterloo since its establishment. In hotel manage-
ment he displays many of the methods of the pioneer in that he introduces new
ideas and with initiative spirit meets changing conditions. He is always courteous
and obliging to the patrons of the hotel and at the same time is most careful
and businesslike in management and control.

In 1912 Mr. Holden was united in marriage to Miss Helen Nelson, of Chi-
cago, and they have gained many friends during the period of their residence
in W^aterloo. Mr. Holden is a member of the Commercial Club and Board of
Trade. His business interests have made him widely known throughout the
country and he has the happy faculty of winning the friendship and high regard
of all with whom he is brought in contact. Waterloo has reason to be con-
gratulated upon winning him to the ranks of its citizens and hotel life here has
become much more pleasing and attractive because of his identification there-
with, as long experience has taught him the needs and demands of the traveling
public.

JOHN GOODFELLOW.

John Goodfellow is now^ living retired in La Porte City, enjoying a rest
which he has truly earned and richly deserves, for through forty years he has
been actively identified with farming interests in Black Hawk county and has
won his prosperity through unfaltering industry and the capable management
of his business affairs. He was born in Ireland in December, 1838, a son of
George and Ann (McCormack) Goodfellow, both of whom were natives of
Ireland, in which country the father followed the occupation of farming. He
always remained a resident of that country and the mother also passed aw^ay on
the green isle of Erin.

John Goodfellow was reared and educated in Ireland and at the age of
nineteen years bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for America
in 1857. He settled first on Long Island, where he remained for two years,
and at the end of that time removed to the Mississippi valley, establishing his
home in Ogle county, Illinois. There he secured employment as a farm hand,
working in the fields until after the outbreak of the Civil war. He watched
with interest the progress of events in the south and felt that the Confederacy
had no right to attempt the overthrow of the Union. Accordingly, his patriotic
spirit aroused, he enlisted in August, 1862, as a member of Company H. Thirty-
fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until July 31, 1865. He was
wounded in the left hip and also lost a finger in battle. He participated in a

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 223

number of hotly contested engagements and never hesitated to follow the nation's
starry banner, making a most creditable record by his valor and loyalty.

After the war Mr. Goodfellow returned to Freeport, Illinois, and was there
married. Subsequently he came to Black Hawk county and purchased one hun-
dred and twenty acres of land which he at once began to cultivate and improve.
He operated the farm for four years and then sold it, removing to Tama county,
where he purchased a farm which he continued to cultivate for practically forty
years. His life was characterized by diligence and determination. He was not
afraid of hard work and year by year he tilled his fields and cared for his crops.
Success attended him as time passed on and he is now numbered among the
men of affluence in Black Hawk county. He retired and removed to La Porte
City, where he purchased a fine residence near the business district and there he
has since lived, surrounded by many comforts and luxuries which have been
secured entirely through his own efiforts.

In January, 1866, Mr. Goodfellow Vv^as united in marriage to Miss Ann Fay,
a daughter of Andrew and Winnifred (Kelly) Fay, who were natives of Ireland
and came to the LTnited States in 1842. They settled first at Albany, New York,
where they remained for seven years, after which they removed westward to
Freeport, Illinois, where Mr. Fay operated a farm throughout his remaining
days. His death occurred July i, 1905, while his wife passed away Janaury 10,
1890. To Mr. and Mrs. Goodfellow were born eight children, George, John, Jr.,
Mary E., Anna, William, Jennie, Winnifred and Alice. Of these Anna died in
1871.

Mr. Goodfellow is still the owner of valuable farming property, including
one hundred and sixty acres of land in Tama county and a quarter section across
the road in Benton county, and from this property he derives a substantial annual
income. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church, while his wife be-
longs to the Catholic church. Politically he is a republican, having always in-
dorsed that party since coming to the new world and taking out his naturaliza-
tion papers. Fie belongs to F. M. Thompson Post, G. A. R., and has ever been
as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the old flag upon southern
battlefields. He has never regretted his determination to come to the new world,
for he has found here the opportunities which he sought and in their employ-
ment has worked his way steadily upward until he is numbered today among
the men of affluence in Black Hawk county. His record may well serve to in-
spire and encourage others who must start out in life as he did — practically
empty-handed.

JAMES G. CLARK.

James G. Clark is the junior partner in the law firm of Williams & Clark, of
Waterloo. This firm has been in continuous existence since the ist of January,
1912, and has been accorded a liberal share of the work of the courts. Mr.
Clark was born in Bremer county, Iowa, in 1886 and is a son of F. G. and Jessie
(Olds) Clark. The father is also a native of this state, his birth having occurred

224 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

in Floyd county, and for thirty years he has been an active and representative
business man of Waverly.

Spending his youthful days under the parental roof James G. Clark attended
the public schools of Waverly until graduated from the high school with the
class of 1905. He afterward spent one year in the State University of Iowa,
pursuing a course in the liberal arts department, after which he entered the law
department of the same institution and was graduated therefrom with the LL.B.
degree as a member of the class of 1910. The same year he was admitted to
practice in the courts of Iowa and opened an office in Waverly, becoming con-
nected with the firm of Dawson & Wehrmacher, with which he was associated
from June, 1910, until January, 191 1, when he camie to Waterloo and entered
the office of J. E. W^illiams, who admitted him into a partnership a year later,
since which tmie the firm of Williams & Clark has enjoyed a growing clientage
here. Their practice is now extensive and of an important character and there
are few prominent cases heard in the courts with which this firm is not connected.

In June, 191 3, Mr. Clark was joined in wedlock with Miss Florence Davis,
of W^aterloo. a daughter of F. R. Davis, of this city, and they are well known
socially, having a large circle of warm friends here. They have a son, Charles
Edward, born December 21. 1914. ^Ir. Clark still retains his membership in
the Episcopal church of Waverly and while there residing served for two years
as deputy treasurer of Bremer county. He has membership with the Masons,
the Elks, and the Knights of Pythias and is also a member of the Black Hawk
County Bar Association, the Waterloo Club and the Chamber of Commerce.
While a young man he has made steady progress since entering upon active con-
nection with his profession and laudable ambition and determination are carry-
ing him steadily forward and winning for him a creditable record in the practice
of law.

JAMES EDMUND ARTHUR.

An excellent farm of one hundred and seventy-two acres situated on section
7, Spring Creek township, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it
by its owner, James Edmund Arthur, who is now successfully engaged in gen-
eral farming, his place being splendidly improved. He was born in Fox town-
ship, this county, in July, i860, a son of George W. and Nancy A. (Peery)
Arthur, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Illinois. The father
was a farmer and came to Black Hawk county, Iowa, in 1852. He entered land
in Fox township, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of the district. Not
a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made, but with characteristic
energy he began the development of the place with the result that he had trans-
formed it into rich and productive fields long before he sold out in 1884. In
that year he removed to Raymond, where he purchased land, and to that farm
devoted his attention throughout the remainder of his days. He passed away
in April. 1910, at the age of eighty-two years, and is survived by his wife, who
is living on the old home place at the advanced age of eighty-three years.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 225

James E. Arthur spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native
township and remained with his parents to the age of twenty-two years, when
he started out in Hfe on his own account by renting land, on which he Hved for
a year. He then removed to Sioux county and engaged in the grocery business
at Ireton in connection with his brother. For four years he was active in the
conduct of the store and then sold out, returning to Black Hawk county, where
he again rented land. He continued to cultivate farms until 19 lo, when, having
carefully saved his earnings, he was enabled to purchase his present property,
comprising one hundred and seventy-two acres on section 7, Spring Creek
township. This he at once began to develop and improve and has operated the
farm with excellent success. It is now one of the attractive properties of the
district, forming a most pleasing feature in the landscape by reason of its sub-
stantial buildings, its well kept fields and all the modern accessories which
indicate the progressive spirit of the owner.

In January, 1885, Mr. Arthur was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Campbell,
a daughter of Robert and Isabelle (Thompson) Campbell, both of whom were
natives of Scotland, whence they came to the United States in early life. The
father worked at the mason's trade in Chicago when that city was scarcely more
than a swamp. He afterward came to Black Hawk county and entered land
in Spring Creek township. This he at once began to cultivate and develop suc-
cessfully, carrying on farm work there until a few years prior to his death,
when he retired from active business and removed to Cedar Falls, where he
died in 1906, having for four years survived his wife, who passed away in 1902.
To Mr. and Mrs. Arthur have been born seven children, namely: Vernal J.,
Mina I., Flossie M., E. Grace, Margaret J., Russell and Lloyd, aged respectively
twenty-four, twenty-two, twenty-one, twenty, eighteen, fifteen and thirteen years.

In addition to his other interests Mr. Arthur is a stockholder in the Farmers
Creamery at La Porte City. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian
church and to its teachings he is most loyal. He holds membership with the
Knights of the Maccabees and in politics is a republican, giving to the party
stalwart support. For two years he served as township trustee and has also
filled the office of constable, while he is interested in everything pertaining to
the general welfare and his cooperation has been an active and forceful factor
in advancing the public good along various Hnes. He deserves much credit for
what he has accomplished in a business way, for he started out in life empty-
handed and by determination and energy has reached his present position as one
of the men of affluence in his native county. He was elected justice of the peace
in November, 1914.

H. W. BROWN, M. D.

A spirit of enterprise, of progress, the dominant idea of going ahead, of
accomplishing something greater than has been done hitherto all find exemplifi-
cation in the life and professional activities of Dr. H. W. Brown, and there is
no physician practicing in Waterloo who keeps more closely in touch with modern
scientific investigation and methods in medical and surgical practice.

226 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

He is one of the city's native sons, born in 1880. His father, Dr. H. W.
Brown, who passed away in February, 1913, had been a practitioner of medi-
cine in Waterloo for forty-one years and was accounted not only one of the
valued representatives of the profession but also one of the honored citizens.
The son attended the public schools until he completed his course by graduation
from the high school and later he entered the medical department of the Iowa
State University, where he won his professional degree as an alumnus of the
class of 1906. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession with
his father and the relation was maintained until the latter's death. Dr. Brown
then practiced alone until June, 1914, when the present firm of O'Keefe, Brown
& Hoffmann was formed. They have an extensive practice and their office is
supplied with all modern equipments, an X-ray machine and all the latest im-
proved surgical instruments and apparatus to further their efforts for the restora-
tion of health. Their library is an extensive one and Dr. Brown has ever
remained a close student of the literature of the profession. Moreover, he is a
member of the Waterloo Medical Society, the Black Hawk County Medical
Society and the Iowa State Medical Association.

While his professional activities are his chief interest and no professional
duty is neglected for outside interests, he nevertheless is well known in other
connections and heartily supports and cooperates in all of the plans and move-
ments of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade, of which he is a member,
for the upbuilding and benefit of the city. He likewise has membership with
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is popular in that organization and
among all by whom he is known. His entire life having been passed in Waterloo,
he has a wide acquaintance and goodwill toward and high regard for him are
expressed on all sides.

IDA G. RHOADES, M. D.

Dr. Ida G. Rhoades, secretary of the Black Hawk County Medical Society
and a practicing physician and surgeon of Cedar Falls, has, in keeping with the
tendency of the age toward specialization, largely concentrated her energies
upon diseases of women and children. She has her office at No. 125 West Sixth
street and she is enjoying a constantly growing practice. Dr. Rhoades is a
native of Chicago and a daughter of J. M. Grant, a cousin of Ulysses S. Grant.
When fifteen years of age she came to Iowa and after acquiring a broad and
liberal education she determined to engage in the practice of medicine as a life
work, and with that end in view entered the medical department of Drake Uni-
versity, from which she was graduated with the class of 1909. She served as
an interne in St. Joseph's Hospital for one year and thus put her theoretical
knowledge to the practical test and gained that broad practical experience which
only hospital work can bring. At the end of that time she came to Cedar Falls,
where she has since followed her profession as a general practitioner, although
specializing to a considerable extent in the treatment of diseases of women and
children. Her knowledge is broad and her skill places her among the able mem-
bers of the profession in this section of the state. She is a member of the Black

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 227

Hawk County Medical Society, of which she is the present secretary, is a mem-
ber of the Women's Medical Association, of the Iowa State Medical Society and
the American Medical Association.

In 1899 Miss Ida G. Grant became the wife of Charles B. Rhoades, a native
of IlHnois and a son of George T. Rhoades. He is now a retired traveling sales-
man and is the owner of a fine farm near Webster City, Iowa, from which he
derives a very substantial annual income. In Masonry he has attained high
rank and is now a member of the Mystic Shrine. Dr. Rhoades is connected
with the Eastern Star and also with the Royal Neighbors. She is a member of
the Congregational church and is interested in all good works. She has one of
the fine homes of Cedar Falls and is very popular socially as well as profes-
sionally, enjoying in unqualified measure the high regard and goodwill of not
only the members of the profession but of ail who know her.

E. T. ALFORD, M. D.

Dr. E. T. Alford, a practicing physician of Black Hawk county living at
Waterloo, is one of the representatives of the profession who holds to high
standards and has done excellent work worthy the gratitude and high regard
of his fellow townsmen. He is a native son of Waterloo, his birth havmg here
occurred thirty-nine years ago. his father being the Hon. Lore Alford. At the
usual age the son entered the public schools, passing from grade to grade until
he was graduated from the East Waterloo high school with the class of 1893.
In further preparation for the practical and responsible duties of life he entered
the pharmaceutical school of the Northwestern University of Illinois, at Chicago,
and was graduated therefrom in 1896. His next step toward a professional career
was matriculation in Rush Medical College of Chicago, of which he is an alumnus

of 1901. . , „, .

During the years 1902-03 Dr. Alford was house surgeon for the Chicago
Baptist Hospital and then went abroad for further study, attending the Uni-
versity of Vienna in 1904-05. He came under the instruction of some of the
most eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world and attended many
clinics wherein he gained wide knowledge of modern scientific methods of
medical practice. Upon his return to the new world, he settled in Chicago, where
he opened an office and followed his profession until 1908. He then came_ to
Waterloo where he has since been engaged in practice, corifimng his attention
more and more largely to surgery as the years have passed on. His work as a
surgeon covers almost the entire state and his ability in that direction ranks him
among the foremost members of the profession in Iowa. He is now chief sur-
geon for the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Cedar Rapids Railroad, is district surgeon
for the Chicago Great Western Railroad, is surgeon for the Rock Island & Pacific
Railroad and is surgeon to the Presbyterian and St. Francis Hospitals.
■ Dr Alford was married in 1906 to Miss Elizabeth Wilhston, of Manchester,
and they have become parents of two children, Williston and Eleanor. Dr.
Alford holds membership in the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and is
intensely interested in the city's welfare and upbuilding. However, his atten-

228 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

tion is chiefly given to his profession, which is constantly making greater de-
mands upon him. He belongs to the local medical society, the Iowa State Med-
ical Society, the Iowa Clinical Surgical Society, the American Association of
Railway Surgeons and the American Medical Association. He is also a Fellow
of the American College of Surgeons.

JOHN. H. LUNEMANN.

John H. Lunemann has been officially connected with the First National Bank
of La Porte City for a number of years and is now serving as its vice president.
He gives the greater part of his attention, however, to his real-estate business,
which is very extensive and makes heavy demands upon his time. He was born
in Waterloo, on the 4th of September, 1870, a son of Herman and Jantje
(Plumer) Lunemann, both natives of Germany. Upon their emigration to
America they made their way to Cedar Falls, Iowa, where they located in 1864.
The father followed his trade of blacksmithing there for three years and then
the family removed to Waterloo, which remained their home for a similar length
of time. At the end of that period they removed to La Porte City, where the
parents lived during the remainder of their lives. The father, who was a resi-
dent of La Porte City for about forty years and was widely known and greatly
respected, died in January, 19 10, and the mother in November, 1898.

John H. Lunemann was but an infant when the family removed to La Porte
City and his boyhood days were spent there. He received his education in the
city schools, being graduated from the high school in 1886, and for five years
thereafter he clerked, after which he engaged in the dry-goods and clothing
business for himself. After ten years so spent, or in 1901, he removed to
Dysart, Iowa, and became one of the organizers of the First National Bank at
that place. He was the first cashier of that institution but did not serve in that
capacity long, as, in 1902, he was elected cashier of the First National Bank of
La Porte City and filled that position for six and a half years. Since that time
he has been vice president of the bank and has devoted his energies chiefly to
the conduct of his large real-estate business. He handles Florida lands and is
vice president and general manager of the National Land Company of Jackson-
ville, Florida ; secretary and general manager of the Florida Homeseekers Land
Company with headquarters at Melbourne, Florida ; and secretary of the Lune-
mann Land Company of W^hite Springs, Florida. He is also president of the
Davenport Land & Improvement Company of Davenport. Iowa. These various
companies are prospering and doing a large business and his efficiency and
ability are indicated in the fact that he holds a responsible position in all of them.

Mr. Lunemann was married in December, 1896, to Miss Augusta Miller, a
daughter of Rev. M. J. and Sobina (Andre) Miller, natives of Pennsylvania.
Her father was a German Evangelical minister and was sent to Kansas as a
missionary in the pioneer days of that state before the Civil war. He preached
many years at diff'erent places and was for three years stationed at La Porte
City. In 1912 he passed to his reward, but his widow survives and makes her
home here. To Mr. and Mrs. Lunemann have been born three children : [ohn

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 229

Miller, thirteen years of age who is attending school ; Mark Henry, a child of
eight who is also attending school; and Roger Alan, who is two years old.

Mr. Lunemann is a loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal church and
fraternally is quite well known, belonging to the Masonic lodge, the Modern
Woodmen of America and the Knights of the Maccabees. His political alle-
giance is given to the republican party and he has served as mayor of the city
for one term. He owns what is probably the finest home in the city and his
real-estate business returns him annually a handsome profit. His fellow citizens
not only respect his ability as displayed in the commercial world, but also esteem
him for his integrity and uprightness of character.

JOHN FRANCIS SIMPSON.

For a quarter of a century John Francis Simpson has been a resident of
Waterloo, where he is now well known as the president of the Crystal Ice &
Fuel Company. He was born in Davenport in 1866, but was reared in Paoli,
Indiana. On coming to Waterloo about twenty-five years ago — then a young
man in the early twenties — he eagerly embraced every opportunity that would
enable him to earn an honest living and finally entered the employ of J. T.
Burkett, a millwright, with whom he was connected during the construction of
the mill of the Cedar A^alley Manufacturing Company, of which Mr. Burkett
was an officer. He afterward spent seven years with the Deering Harvester
Company and still later was for a year in the employ of the Iowa Dairy Separator
Company. At the end of that time he accepted the management of the Waterloo
Ice & Fuel Company. This was in February. 1902. Three years later, or in
February, 1905, the business was reorganized under the name of the Crystal
Ice & Fuel Company and Mr. Simpson became manager of the new concern,
with C. P. Fedderson as the president, L. D. Miller as secretary and treasurer,
and N. Federspeil as vice president. The business was thus continued until the
following year, when Mr. Simpson and L. D. Miller bought the interest of the
other two stockholders, since which time Mr. Simpson has been the president
of the company, with Mr. Miller as the secretary and treasurer.

In 1904 Mr. Simpson, in connection with H. E. Teachout, of Des Moines,
and C. M. Mohler, organized the Iowa Ice Dealers' Association, of which he
has since been the secretary. He is also fourth vice, president and director of
the Natural Ice Association of America. In business affairs he seems to see
from the circumference to the very center of things and recognizes to the utmost
extent the possibilities of a situation. He is energetic, is equally determined,
and in the conduct of his interests brooks no obstacles that can be overcome
by persistent, earnest and honorable efifort.

Mr. Simpson has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Agnes Thomp-
son, who at her death left three children : Charles Francis, now a student in
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Boston; and Arthur R. and Paul
A., who are students in the East Side high school of Waterloo. For his second
wife Mr. Simpson chose Miss Alice M. Shutts. They are well known in Water-
loo, where they have many friends.

230 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Mr. Simpson was reared a strict Presbyterian. While not a member of the
church at the present time his life has ever been actuated by high and honorable
principles and he is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity,
which has as its basic principle a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind.
He has attained very high rank in Masonry and has been honored with many
official positions. He has served as high priest of Tabernacle Chapter, No. 52,
R. A. M.; as thrice illustrious master of Crescent Council, No. 16, R. & S. M. ;
and as warden of Ascalon Commandery, No. 25, K. T. He has been secretary
of Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, A. K. & A. M., for three years and has filled most
of the chairs in that organization. He has attained the thirty-second degree of
the Scottish Rite and he is likewise a member of the Eastern Star. He also has
membership with the Sons of the American Revolution, with the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks and with the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the
Commercial Club and Board of Trade and to the Waterloo Traveling Men's
Association. His entire life has been marked by a steady advance. His in-
dustry and enterprise find tangible evidence in his success. He may well take
pride in his present achievements, for he has been most true and loyal to the
beneficent teachings of the craft and it has ever been his rule to balance accounts
between acts and motives.

CLARENCE E. BENEDICT.

Clarence E. Benedict, conducting a growing and profitable business in the
vulcanizing of automobile tires and all rubber goods, was born near Washburn,
this county, on the ist of June, 1887, a son of Elial and EHzabeth (Rowbottom)
Benedict, both of whom were natives of Wisconsin, born near Kenosha. The
father made farming his life work, following that pursuit in Wisconsin until
1884, when he came to Iowa, settling on a farm south of Washburn, where he
resided for about eighteen or twenty years. He then removed to a farm west
of Waterloo and thereon remained until 191 1, when he went to Saskatchewan,
Canada, where he is now carrying on general agricultural pursuits, having de-
voted his entire life to that vocation. In his family were two children, the
elder being George, now residing south of Waterloo, where he carries on general
farming.

The younger is Clarence E. Benedict, who after attending the country
schools, in which he mastered the elementary branches of learning, became a
student in the Waterloo Business College. Through the period of his early
youth he assisted his father in the work of the fields and at the age of seventeen
years began working for others, being thus employed up to the time of his mar-
riage, when he began farming on his own account in Canada. He remained for
three years in that country and then returned to Black Hawk county, taking up
his abode in Waterloo. For about a year he was employed at the vulcanizing
business and then embarked in the same business on his own account, since
which time he has secured a large patronage from the people of Waterloo and
the surrounding territory. His trade is growing week by week and has already
assumed gratifying and profitable proportions.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 231

On the i6th of February, 191 1, Mr. Benedict was united in marriage to
Miss Ethel Fike, who was born in Tama county, Iowa, her parents being Emanuel
and Ella (Hill) Fike. They now reside in Waterloo, the father having retired
from active business. Mr. and Mrs. Benedict have one child, Gerald, born on
May 6, 1914. Their religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, the
services of which they attend. Mr. Benedict is independent in politics, nor has
he sought to figure prominently in any public connection, preferring to concen-
trate his energies upon his business affairs. He and his family now reside at
No. 219^4 West Sixth street.

• AMOS \^AN V.ALKENBURG.

For over three decades Amos Van Valkenburg has been cashier of the Union
State Bank of La Porte City and he is conceded to be one of the financial leaders
of the place. He was born in Sharon, Schoharie county. New York, on the 3d
of August, 1848, a son of John and Elizabeth Van Valkenburg. His ancestry
has been traced back for many generations to the town of Valkenburg, which is
now within the borders of Holland, although the German language is spoken
there. The first of the Van Valkenburg family to emigrate to America were
Lambert and Annetie Van Valkenburg, who settled in Manhattan prior to 1643
and the records show that in that year he was the owner of "forty morgans" of
land in what later became the great city of New York. Later the family settled
in the Schoharie valley, New York. The great-grandfather of our subject,
John J. Van Valkenburg, served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution from
the fall of 1775 until the close of the struggle. The maternal ancestors of Mr.
Van Valkenburg, the Browns, settled in the Schoharie valley, New York, about
the same time as did the Van Valkenburgs, and his great-grandfather, John M.
Brown, Avas likewise a soldier in the war for independence. He was further
distinguished as the second judge of Schoharie county and was an honored
member of the judiciary of New York.

Amos Van Valkenburg was educated in the public schools of Sharon, New
York, and in the high school of Brookfield, Missouri. He began teaching when
a young man and followed that profession until after his arrival in La Porte
City, Iowa, in the spring of 1878. The following summer he entered the City
Exchange Bank as bookkeeper and continued in that capacity for five years, or
until the suspension of the bank in May, 1884. The following month the Union
State Bank was organized and he was elected assistant cashier and after nine
months was promoted to cashier. Throughout the many years intervening he
has held a position of responsibihty and has had practically the entire manage-
ment of the institution. Such being the case its success must be largely accredited
to his superior business ability and judicious direction of afifairs. He has been
cashier of the bank for three decades and during that time less than five hundred
dollars has been lost through the loan department, which is a record very seldom
made by a banking house. The funds of the institution are so handled that not only
is their safety secured but the bank is also enabled to pay a good dividend. Mr.

232 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Van Valkenburg is accounted one of the most successful bankers in this part
of the country and his advice upon financial matters is often sought.

Mr. Van Valkenburg was married in 1876 to Miss Georgie Ricker, of
Empire, Minnesota, who had been one of his pupils while he was a teacher, and
to them has been born a daughter, Irene. Mr. Van Valkenburg has been called
upon to rill various public positions and in each instance has rendered efficient
service. For five terms he was city recorder and served for many years on the
school board, being for fifteen years president of that body, and during that
time many forward steps were taken in the management of the public schools.
Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order and he is also a member of the
Commercial Club of La Porte City and the Commercial Club and Board of
Trade of Waterloo. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and
he was the chairman of the last republican county convention held under the old
caucus plan. He and his family are adherents of the Presbyterian church and
he contributes of his means to the furtherance of its work. He has taken quite
a prominent part in the establishment of various business enterprises, being one
of the organizers of the La Porte City Building & Loan Association, the Union
State Bank, the La Porte Improvement Company, the Electric Light & Water
Company, the Iowa Canning Company and the Permanent Sewer Company.
His fine home at No. 626 Commercial street is but one evidence of his material
prosperity and he is justly considered one of the representative men of the com-
munity. His financial success is but one phase of his achievement as he has
accomplished much along lines that make for the moral and intellectual advance-
ment of the city.

WILLIAM ALBERT HEY.

William Albert Hey is a member of the Miller-Hey Construction Company,
of Waterloo, which is widely known throughout this section of the country for
work in constructing concrete bridges. He was born near Topeka, in Osage
county, Kansas, on the ist of August, 1870, a son of Jacob and Jennie (Andrews)
Hey, natives of New York and Ohio respectively. The father is a retired farmer
living upon the farm in Kansas which he entered as a homestead forty-five years
ago. His first wife passed away in 1885. To their union were born five chil-
dren: Delia, who died when fifteen years of age; William Albert, of this re-
view; Cora, now Mrs. Elmer Armor, of San Diego, California; Denton, who
resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Anna, the wife of Stephen Halstead, who lives
in Overbrook, Kansas. The father was again married. Miss Rose Frazier be-
coming his wife, and they had two children: Florence, who died when a child
of three years; and Roscoe, of Manhattan, Kansas.

William A. Pley remained in Kansas until he was nineteen years of age and
attended the public schools in the acquirement of his education. Upon leaving
the Sunflower state he went to Colorado and engaged in building steel bridges,
beginning at the bottom of that business and working up as his knowledge in-
creased. After a short time he was made assistant foreman and still later his
ability was recognized and he was promoted to the position of foreman. In

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 233

1893 he left the employ of the company with which he had been connected for
a number of years and became associated with the Chicago Bridge & Iron Com-
pany of Chicago, with which he remained two and one-half years. He then
went with the Indiana Bridge Company and continued in their employ for about
a year and a half, sub-contracting for them a part of this time. He then worked
for three years as a miner and mining contractor in Cripple Creek, Colorado,
and Old Mexico and proved very successful in these connections. Following
this he was with a number of bridge companies in various capacities, but in
time became connected Avith the Marsh Bridge Company of Des Moines, and
was made superintendent of construction, which place he held until June i,
1908, when he left their employ. He then built a home in Highland Park, Des
Moines, and engaged in general contracting in that city. In April of the next
year, he became a member of the Advance Construction Company, with head-
quarters at Waukesha, Wisconsin, and was superintendent of construction in
the bridge building department. While with that company he built some of the
largest and finest concrete bridges in this section of the country, among them
being that across the Cedar river at Charles City, Iowa, and one at Ypsilanti,
Michigan, across the Huron river.

In 191 1 Mr. Hey formed a partnership with George W. Miller and they
purchased the bridge department of the Advance Construction Company, located
in Waterloo, and continued its operation under the firm name of Miller-Hey
Construction Company. They confine their attention exclusively to the building
of concrete bridges, combining strength and power of resistance with beauty of
design, and the business of the firm is steadily increasing as the merit of their
work becomes more widely known.

Mr. Hey was married on the 2d of October. 1901, at Victoria, Colorado, to
Miss Hattie Miller, a native of Des Moines and a daughter of Richard and Ada
(Likes) Miller. To Mr. and Mrs. Hey have been born four children: Jesse
Parks, eleven years old ; Wilma Jeannette, seven years of age ; William Edwin,
five years old ; and Ruth Louise, a child of two years.

Mr. Hey gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has always
taken a praiseworthy interest in the welfare of the community in which he re-
sides. The Miller-Hey Construction Company is one of the leading industrial
enterprises of Waterloo and adds largely to the business activity and growth of
the city. Much of the success of the company is due to the technical knowledge
and the administrative ability of Mr. Hey and he is ranked among the prominent
men of the city.

GEORGE W. MILLER.

George W. Miller is the secretary-treasurer of the Miller-Hey Construction
Company, builders of concrete bridges, in which connection the company enjoys
a most enviable reputation that has led to contracts being awarded them in Iowa
and other states. Mr. Miller was born in Barnes City, Mahaska county, Iowa,
April 16, 1881, a son of John B. and Martha A. (Darland) Miller, the former
a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. Mrs. Miller was a daughter of

234 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

John and Margaret (Lowe) Darland, who are residents at this time of the town
in which George W. Miller was born. John B. Miller was a son of Samuel
and Maria (Braddock) Miller, who arrived in Iowa in 1855, in which year they
removed from Hancock county, Ohio, to Keokuk county, this state. During
his early manhood John B. Miller engaged in teaching school and later followed
merchandising in Iowa. In 1853 Martha A. Darland arrived in Poweshiek
county, Iowa, with her parents, who, Hke the parents of John B. Miller, were
among the early settlers, taking an active part in the pioneer development. For
many years John B. Miller successfully carried on business and in 1896 retired,
spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest until death
called him on the 24th of August, 1907. His wife passed away August 24,
1908, just a year after his demise. They were the parents of two children :
Lilly Mae, the wife of A. E. Priem, a business man of Seattle, Washington;
and George W.

The latter attended school in Alontezuma, Iowa, where his father was en-
gaged in business. In the pursuit of his education he passed through consecu-
tive grades until graduated from the Montezuma high school with the class of
1898. He then entered Iowa State College at Ames in 1899 and there pursued
a course in civil engineering, which he completed in 1903, winning the degree of
B. C. E. After his graduation he was employed in the city engineer's office at
Des Moines until December of that year, when he became connected with the
Marsh Bridge Company of Des Moines as an engineer, remaining with that
firm until 1906. He then returned to the ofifice of the city engineer, where he
remained for one year as assistant city engineer of Des Moines, after which he
again spent one year in the employ of the Marsh Bridge Company. He next
went to Norwood, Colorado, in April, 1908, as chief engineer for the Empire
Irrigation Company. On the 1st of September of the same year, however, he
returned to the middle west, going to Wisconsin, where he became bridge engi-
neer for the Advance Construction Company. In the spring of 1909 he became
a stockholder therein and came to Waterloo as Iowa representative of the com-
pany. On the 1st of January, 191 1, Mr. Miller and W. A. Hey took over the
bridge department of the Advance Construction Company and they then formed
a partnership under the name of the Miller-FIey Construction Company, engi-
neers and constructors of concrete bridges. They have secured various im-
portant contracts resulting in building numerous bridges throughout Iowa and
other states. Mr. Miller thoroughly understands the scientific principles which
underlie the business as well as the practical phases of the work and is thus well
qualified to execute important contracts. He also is interested in a fruit ranch
in Idaho and is the owner of valuable residence and business property in
Waterloo.

On the 6th of April, 1904, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Cam-
mie L. Waugh, a native of Albia, Iowa, and a daughter of John E. and Martha
(Arnold) Waugh, who were early settlers of this state. Mrs. Miller's grand-
father Waugh was killed at Nashville, December 3, 1864, while serving in the
Union army. Her mother died November 9, 1906, and her father now resides
near Nampa, Idaho. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born three children :
Kenneth Arnold, eight years of age; Howard Albert, who is five years of age;
and John Robert, who is but a year old.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 235

Mr. Miller holds membership in both the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons
and the Royal Arch Masons and he belongs also to the Knights of Pythias. His
political allegiance is given to the republican party but he does not seek nor de-
sire office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business afifairs, in
which he is meeting with substantial success owing to his close application, his
indefatigable efforts and his honorable methods.

E. A. SNYDER.

E. A. Snyder, of Cedar Falls, now in his seventy-seventh year, as student,
teacher, soldier, surveyor, as editor for thirty-six years and postmaster for ten
years, filled over a half century with useful activity. A student at Wyoming
Seminary, Kingston and Dickinson Seminary of Williamsport, Pennsylvania,
and in 1858 at Dixon College in Dixon, Illinois, he was well equipped for teach-
ing. His professional service was broken by his enlistment at the age of twenty-
three in the Dement Phalanx, September i, 1861. He was appointed adjutant
of the post. The demand for all available soldiers to assist in taking Fort
Donelson led to the retirement of Colonel Dement, who was a Black Hawk war
colonel, and left Adjutant Snyder to discharge the duties of that position for an
inexperienced relative of his new colonel but on a private's pay. He carried a
gun at Fort Donelson and both days on Shiloh's bloody field, having a number
of close calls from shells and bullets. He participated in the siege of Corinth
and later was promoted to second lieutenant, "for meritorious services,'' as his
commission states. After the battle of Hatchie river, where his colonel, John
A. Davis, was mortally wounded directly in the rear of Lieutenant Snyder, the
latter was detailed as an officer in the United States Signal Corps and served
with the staff of General Grant and later with General Sherman during the
siege of Vicksburg, while still later he was with General Logan.

Some months after Mr. Snyder returned from the south he came to Cedar
Falls and in 1870 was elected county surveyor of Black Hawk county, in which
office he served for live years.

In 1868 he bought a half interest in the Cedar Falls Gazette and became asso-
ciated with his brother, C. W. Snyder, whose interest he purchased in 1879,
continuing as editor until February i, 1904. The Gazette was held in high
esteem and its political, moral and religious principles were not only of the
highest type but never was there thrown over them a shadow of distrust or
uncertainty. Some of the men now engaged in the activities and affairs of that
grownng city continue to tell him of the interest with which they devoured the
definite, clear cut editorials and paragraphs they read when boys in their only
newspaper, the Gazette. He engaged earnestly with pen and law to promote
the interests of temperance and rid Cedar Falls of saloons after the passage
of the Iowa prohibitory law and he has the unusual record of having instituted
sixty- four prosecutions. The saloon men were driven out and never returned,
but Mr. Snyder remembers these as his most trying years, notwithstanding
his army service. He very acceptably filled the office of postmaster of Cedar
Falls from May i, 1899, until May i, 1909, exactly ten years.

236 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

From his boyhood Air. Snyder has been an active member of the Methodist
Society and in 1888 was a delegate to the general conference of the Methodist
Episcopal church held for one month in New York city. Mr. Snyder has always
taken an interest in educational affairs, has served on the school board and has
contributed liberally to the educational, benevolent and missionary interests
of church and school. He very much desired to see a hospital erected, recog-
nizing a long- felt want in this connection, and in 1908, by written agreement,
he promised to make a donation of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable
land in Canada, provided an equal sum was given by citizens for the building
of the hospital. Delay in financing the undertaking continued until the death
of Joseph Sartori, when his son, J. F. Sartori, of Los Angeles, California, made
a gift of thirty thousand dollars to build a hospital as a memorial to his parents.
As one of the several trustees, Mr. Snyder spent much time during the summer
and fall of 1914 looking after details of construction and made contributions
toward grounds and equipment.

On the 24th of September, 1867, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss
Mary A. Cameron, of Cedar Falls. Two daughters were born to them. The
elder, a dear daughter upon whom his heart was set and to whose memory he
desired to erect a hospital, died in girlhood. The younger, with her family,
lives in Long Beach, California, where Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are now spending
their fifth winter.

EDWARD H. HEADFORD.

Ability and worth have constituted the foundation upon which Edward H.
Headford has builded his success. He is now president of the Headford Brothers
& Hitchins Foundry Company and as such is in control of a constantly develop-
ing business, which was established in Waterloo in 1903. A native of Dubuque,
Iowa, he was born September 4, 1862, a son of William and Elizabeth (Robin-
son) Headford, both of whom were natives of England. They came to America,
however, in childhood days with their respective parents, who settled with their
families in Iowa, the marriage of the young couple being celebrated in Dubuque,
where the families took up their abode about 1854. W'illiam Headford was a
foundryman and was foreman of a large plant in Dubuque for many years,
being thus actively identified with the industrial interests of that city. He died
there January 9, 1905, and is survived by his widow, who makes her home in
Dubuque.

Edward H. Headford spent his youthful days in his father's home and
worked his way upward through consecutive grades in the public schools until
he had become a high-school pupil. Afterward he studied in Bayless Commercial
College of Dubuque and in 1878, when sixteen years of age, he entered upon
an apprenticeship to the molder's trade. He worked in the Novelty Iron Works
of Dubuque until 1887, when he was offered and accepted the foremanship of
the Iowa Iron Works, at that time the largest establishment of the kind on the
upper Mississippi river. He continued to fill this position, which was one of
responsibility and importance, for two years but, ambitious to engage in business

EDWARD H. HEADFORD

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 239

on his own account, he carefully saved his earnings and at length joined his
brother, W. T. Headford, in establishing a foundry of their own at Dubuque
under the firm style of Headford Brothers. In 1892 they were joined by F. O.
Hitchins, since which time the business has been conducted under the firm name
of the Headford Brothers & Hitchins Foundry Company. They remained in
Dubuque until 1903, when the plant was removed to Waterloo and since that
time their establishment has been classed by reason of the volume of their trade
and the importance of their business as one of the leading industrial enterprises
of the city.

In 1886 Mr. Headford was united in marriage to Miss Lotta B. Way, of
Warren, Illinois. He is a valued member of Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P., and
he holds membership also in the Royal Arcanum. He and his wife attend
the Congregational church, of which Mrs. Headford is a member. His political
allegiance is given to the republican party and for one term he served as alder-
man at large. He keeps well inform'ed upon the questions and issues of the
day and is ever ready to support his position by intelligent argument. In com-
munity affairs he is known as a supporter of measures and movements for the
public good and he holds membership in the Chamber of Commerce and in
the Town Criers Club of Waterloo, organizations for the benefit of the city
and the expansion of its business relations. His success is the merited reward
of his industry and determination. Gradually he has worked his way upward
and may truly be counted among the self-made men of Waterloo.

JOHN ANDREWS.

John Andrews is president of the Fred L. Kimball Company and secretary
of the Shoemaker-Van Pelt-Mayne Company of Waterloo, of which city he
has been a resident for the past seven years. He is a native of Wisconsin but
during his infancy was brought to Osage, Iowa. His mother died during his
early boyhood and he was taken to the west, living in South Dakota for fifteen
years. In early life he learned the printer's trade and has since been connected
with sorne phase of the business. He was engaged in publishing in South Dakota
for twelve years and also published a newspaper in Iowa at Osage and at Rice-
ville for six years. In September, 1908, he arrived in Waterloo and became
interested in the Fred L. Kimball Company. Mr. Andrews has for several
years been president of the company, which publishes Kimball's Dairy Farmer,
the Creamery Journal, the Milk Trade Journal and the Egg Reporter. In this
connection he has done splendid work. These papers are the connecting link
between a half million readers and all manufacturing and trade interests along
those lines. They are of great value to the dairy farmer and breeder, the
creameryman, the milk dealer and to the dealer in poultry and eggs. Mr.
Andrews is well qualified by previous experience in the field of publishing for
his present work and in this connection has become widely known throughout
the country.

About twenty-five years ago Mr. Andrews was united in mariage to Miss
Minnie Brumley and they have become parents of five children: Dale E., who

Vol. 11—13

240 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

took a three years' special course at Ames and is now doing special work along
agricultural journal lines; Merrill, who died at the age of fourteen years; Maude,
a student in the State Teachers College at Cedar Falls; Robert and Theodore,
at home.

Mr. Andrews is a republican in his political views. He belongs to the
Commercial Club and Board of Trade and also has membership in the Town
Criers Club. He is likewise a member of the First Baptist church. His has
been an active, useful and well spent life and he now occupies a creditable
position among the business men of Waterloo. His record proves what can be
accomplished when energy and enterprise mark out the path, and as the years
have gone on his labors have become of more and more worth to the world.

HORATIO B. LIZER.

Horatio B. Lizer, the owner and publisher of the Progress-Review, an
up-to-date and interesting weekly newspaper published at La Porte City, was
born in Buchanan county, Iowa, on the 19th of February, 1864, a son of John
H. and Emma (Allen) Lizer, natives of Ohio and New York respectively.
The father accompanied his parents to Buchanan county, Iowa, when but thir-
teen years of age, in 1852. As soon as old enough he began farming for him-
self and in time purchased the homestead in Jefiferson township. He operated
that property until 1894 and then retired from active life, taking up his residence
at La Porte, where he remained for four or five years, when he removed to
Mnton, Benton county. He is seventy-three years of age and has survived his
wife since July, 1896.

Horatio B. Lizer was reared in Buchanan county, and his early education
was gained in the common schools of his home neighborhood. He later attended
the Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, from which he was graduated
with the class of 1891. He had taught school previous to taking his normal
course and after completing it he resumed that work. He taught at Winthrop,
Quasqueton and Hubbard, being principal of the schools in the latter place.
In the fall of 1892 he came to La Porte City and for nine years held the posi-
tion of superintendent of the local schools. In 1901 he purchased the Progress-
Review, a weekly newspaper, which he has since conducted. It has a circula-
tion of twelve hundred copies and its advertising columns bring in a substan-
tial addition to its revenue. Mr. Lizer also does a large job-printing business
and is well equipped to fill orders promptly. The weekly press of the state
exercises a wide influence and the Progress-Review of La Porte City is a
potent factor in determining public opinion in the territory of which the city is
the center. Mr. Lizer possesses the necessary qualifications of the successful
proprietor of such a journal, as he has a keen sense of the relative value of news,
writes clearly and forcefully, is alert and progressive and is also an efficient
business man.

On the 23d of June, 1898, Air. Lizer was united in marriage with Miss Mary
Fenner, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Lizer) Fenner, natives of Ohio.
Her father was a carpenter and contractor by trade and many years ago removed

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 241

to Montezuma, Iowa, where he taught school for a time. He later turned his
attention again to building and contracting and was well known in those lines
of work. He passed away in that place in 1902 and his widow died a year
later. Mrs. Lizer was a school teacher previous to her marriage and for some
time was principal of the La Porte City schools. Altogether she taught school
in that city for twelve years.

Mr. Lizer is a stockholder and director in the First National Bank and is
secretary of the local Building & Loan Association. In political matters he
supports the men and measures of the republican party and is at present the
chairman of the republican county central committee, being quite influential in
local republican circles. For twelve years he has served upon the school board
and is at present the president of that body and is known as an aggressive cham-
pion of the public schools. He has also served upon the city council. Frater-
nally he belongs to Trowel Lodge, No. 216, A. F. & A. M., and to the local lodge
of the Knights of Pythias. His religious belief is indicated in his membership
in the Presbyterian church and much of the respect that he commands is due
to the fact that his life is guided by the underlying principles of Christianity.
In the private relations of life he has proved always honorable and kindly and
as teacher and as editor he has never forgotten the grave responsibilities of
those who are called upon to train the children of the nation or to give to the
people accounts of the current happenings and also in a large measure to mold
public opinion.

IRA T. liOOVER.

Ira J. Hoover, strong and purposeful, possessing the spirit of initiative as
manifest in his ready recognition and improvement of opportunities, is today
one of the ablest financiers and most progressive business men of Waterloo.
He was born in Black Hawk county, July 29, 1876, a son of Ephraim and Eliza-
beth (Pinkerton) Hoover, both of whom were natives of Wayne county, Ohio,
where they were reared and married. They came to Iowa in 1875, settling on
what is now the home farm two and a half miles southwest of Waterloo. There
the father still resides, but the mother passed away in December, 1901, at the
age of forty-nine years.

Ira J. Hoover was born upon that place and there remained to his sixteenth
year, meeting the usual experiences that fall to the lot of the farm lad. Fie
acquired his early education in the district schools and afterward attended the
Waterloo Business College, the Upper Iowa University at Fayette and the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin. His intentions were to complete the course in the last
named institution, but after returning home during a vacation period he was
asked to accept a position with the Leavitt & Johnson Bank. This he did and
remained a representative of that institution for nine years, during which time
he gained broad experience in the knowledge of financial afifairs. He entered
the bank as bookkeeper and was steadily advanced until he became assistant
cashier. During his connection with that institution he became interested in
real estate and gradually drifted into land speculation and also began buying

242 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

and selling city property until he is today one of the foremost real-estate owners
of Waterloo. He now owns the Syndicate building and is secretary and treas-
urer of the Mercantile Warehouse Company, an investment company holding
some three hundred thousand dollars worth of property in the business center
of Waterloo. He is the secretary and treasurer of the Black Hawk Building
Company, which owns the Black Hawk Bank building, and he was the dominant
factor in the organization of the Home Improvement Company, which was the
forerunner to the building of the Russell Lamson Hotel, one of the finest hostel-
ries in the middle west. The purpose of the Home Improvement Company was
to take over seventy-two lots owned by Mr. Lamson, the builder of the hotel,
in order to increase the capital stock of the hotel company. Mr. Hoover volun-
teered as one of the leaders to push the work along. For wrecks he worked in
the streets and among the business men and his efforts were crowned with suc-
cess. The capital stock of eighty-five thousand dollars, for which amount the
Home Improvement Company was capitalized, was raised and the building of
the hotel was assured. Mr. Hoover is also receiver for the Mason Motor Com-
pany, manufacturers of motor trucks and automobiles, which is now undergoing
a process of rehabilitation under his able management and control.

Mr. Hoover holds membership in Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P., and in Water-
loo Lodge, No. 290, B. P. O. E. He is likewise a member of the Waterloo Club
and is serving on its board of directors. He is a man of marked determination
and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. His
plans are formulated in keeping with modern business ideas and his life is an
exemplification of the spirit of the times. He is ever alert and active, seizing
every legitimate advantage as it arises and instituting a business policy in con-
nection with the management of important interests that results in the attain-
ment of desirable and notable success.

ARTHUR A. SHIPPY

Arthur A. Shippy is a member of T. F. McDonnell & Company, which is
one of the leading contracting firms of Waterloo and which has erected many
handsome buildings. He was born in Franklin township, Bremer county, Iowa,
on the 14th of September, 1863, a son of Charles S. and Rebecca (Piatt) Shippy,
who were natives respectively of Canada and Illinois. In 1846 Charles S.
Shippy removed to Bremer county, Iowa, where he purchased three hundred and
twenty acres of government land, and for many years he devoted his time to
agricultural pursuits. In 1894 he retired from active life, but continued to live
upon his land until his death, which occurred seven years later, in June, 1901.
His wife died on the 2d of April, 1900. They had nine children, namely :
Elmer, a resident of Oran, Iowa, where he is engaged in merchandising ; Arthur
A., of this review ; Elizabeth, the wife of Russell Sutton, who is living in Colo-
rado ; Addie, who makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Sutton ; Algie, deceased ;
Wilbur and Leroy, both of whom live in Colorado ; Leon, who is a resident of
the state of Washington; and Ethelyn, the wife of Jesse Clark, a farmer of
Oran, Iowa.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 243

Arthur A. Shippy passed his boyhood days in much the manner of other
farmer lads of this locaHty, attending the district schools in the winter months
and aiding with the cultivation of the fields and the care of the stock in the
summers. In addition to the traming in agricultural work that he thus received
he was taught the carpenter's trade by his father, who was something of a con-
tractor as well as a farmer. When seventeen years of age our subject went to
the Pacific coast and did carpenter work in various western states until 1884.
when he returned to Iowa and settled in Waterloo. He later entered the
employ of the Chicago & Great Western Railroad in the bridge construction
department and remained with them until 1S87. when he became connected
with a wholesale house in Waterloo and so continued for four years. At the
end of that time he again began work at his trade and in 1901, feeling that con-
tracting offered a more lucrative field than the carpenter's trade in itself, he
decided to enter that line of business and became a member of the firm of Shippy
& Burke of Waterloo. In 1912 the partnership was dissolved and during 1913
Mr. Shippy was alone in the conduct of his business. In 1914, however, T. F.
McDonnell, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, became associ-
ated with him as an equal partner in the formation of the firm of T. F. McDon-
nell t& Company. They do general contracting and erect many of the buildings
put up in the county, as their work is thorough and their prices reasonable and
as they have the reputation of living strictly up to their contracts. Much of
the success of the firm must be credited to the practical knowledge and the
Ijusiness ability of Mr. Shippy. T. F. McDonnell & Company have erected an
unusually large number of schoolhouses in Waterloo and the buildings have all
given satisfaction.

Mr. Shippy was married on the 2d of September, 1908, to Miss Anna Wil-
kening, who is a native of Iowa and a daughter of John and Caroline Wilken-
ing. Her parents, who are natives respectively of Germany and Pennsylvania,
came to Iowa about the same time as did the parents of Air. Shippy.

The last named is a republican but has been so engrossed in his business
affairs that he has found no time to take an active part in politics. Fraternally
he belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose. He is interested in outdoor sports,
especially in baseball, and greatly enjoys seeing a well played game. In his
business aggressiveness and in the personal relations of life he measures up to
a high standard of manhood and can l)e counted upon to stand for all that
is best in community affairs.

BENJAMIN F. SWISHER.

In no profession does advancement depend more entirely upon individual
merit and ability than in the practice of law and, recognizing this fact at the
outset of his career, Benjamin F. Swisher has gradually and persistently worked
his way upward through the cultivation of those qualities and talents which lead
to success in the work of the courts. He is now well versed in legal principles
and his energy and determination have prompted his careful preparation of his
cases so that he enters the court room well qualified to present his cause.

244 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Air. Swisher was born in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1878, a son of Lovell
Swisher, a banker of Iowa City. It was in the schools of that place that he
pursued his preliminary education, passing through consecutive grades until
graduated from the high school. He afterward entered the University of Iowa,
in which he won the Bachelor of Philosophy degree with the class of 1899.
He then continued in the same institution for the study of law and was gradu-
ated LL. B. with the class of 1900, completing the collegiate and law courses in
five years. He then entered the office of Mullan & Pickett and remained with
that firm for three years before opening an office of his own in the fall of 1903.
He was elected city solicitor in the spring of 1905 and served for three terms
and on the ist of September, 1913, he entered into his present partnership with
C. E. Pickett under the firm style of Pickett & Swisher. This is today regarded
as one of the strong law^ firms of the county. Such are Mr. Swisher's force of
character and natural qualifications that he has steadily overcome ail the obsta-
cles that he has met and few lawyers ha\e made a more lasting impression upon
the bar of Black Hawk county both for marked ability of a high order and for
the individuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon the com-
munity. In the line of his profession he has membership in the Black Hawk
County Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

In 1902 Mr. Swisher was united in marriage to Miss Helen Field Moulton,
who was born in Mills county, Iowa, but for a few years prior to he* marriage
was a resident of Exeter, New Hampshire. They have become the parents of
three children. Martha Elizabeth, Benjamin Field and Helen Moulton.

Air. and Mrs. Swisher are members of the Congregational church and are
prominent in social circles of the city. In politics Mr. Swisher has always been
a stalwart republican and takes an active interest in the w^ork of his party. He
has done considerable campaigning in both the county and state and at one
time he was a candidate for the office of district judge. Fraternally he is con-
nected with the Knights of Pythias and with the Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce and is interested in
all of its projects for the upbuilding and development of the city, while along
more strictly social lines he is connected with the Waterloo Club and with the
Waterloo Golf and Country Club. Well known, he has a circle of friends that
is extensive, and the high regard entertained for him is an indication of a well
spent life.

M. B. NEFF.

During the past decade M. B. Nefl:' has been a successful representative of
real-estate and insurance interests in Waterloo, maintaining an office at No. 228
West Fourth street, and has built up an extensive business along these lines.
His birth occurred in Clark county, Missouri, in 1871, his parents being John
and Amanda Nefl^. They had five children, two daughters and three sons, all
of whom survive.

AI. B. Neff acquired his early education in the public schools of his native
state and subsecjucntly continued his studies in the State Normal School at Kirks-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 245

ville, Missouri. After finishing his school work he turned his attention to general
agricultural pursuits and followed farming until 1901, in which year he disposed
of his property and came to Waterloo, Iowa. Here he entered the service of
the Cedar Valley Manufacturing Company, being employed in the sash and door
department for three years. On the expiration of that period he opened a
real-estate and insurance office in the Black Hawk Bank block and has carried
on business along that line continuously and successfully since. He has made
a specialty of building residences for subsequent sale and also handles farm
lands in Iowa and adjoining states. He owns both business and residence prop-
erty in West Waterloo and a tract of sixteen acres inside the city limits, while
he is likewise a director of the Peoples Mutual Building & Loan Association of
Waterloo, the first organization of its kind in the city. His business interests
have been carefully directed and have brought him a gratifying and well deserved
measure of prosperity.

In 1901 Mr. Nefi was united in marriage to Miss Ida Catlett, who was born
in California and was reared near Santa Barbara, that state, her father, Ezra
Catlett, being^a ranchman there. She is one of a family of six children, four
daughters and two sons, all of whom are yet Hving. Prior to her marriage
she was a trained nurse. Mr. Nefif gives his political allegiance to the democracy
but is not bitterly partisan, not seeking office and in afifairs of general moment
taking the attitude of a liberal-minded and public-spirited citizen. He is iden-
tified fraternally with the Knights of Pythias, and in religious faith his wife
is a Congregationalist. He is known as a man of high character, of marked
business ability and enterprise, whose sterling qualities have Avon for him the
confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaintances in Waterloo and Black
Hawk county.

G. E. NEWTON.

G. E. Newton is a member of the firm of Bruner & Newton, proprietors
of a plumbing and heating establishment and conducting a general jobbing busi-
ness in plumbers' supplies. He was born in Gatesville, Clayton county, Iowa,
December 7, 1879, a son of Fred E. and Eliza J. (Hollar) Newton. The father's
birth occurred in Oswego county. New York, on the 7th of August, 1857, '^^^^
the mother was born near Raymond, Iowa, on the 226. of July, 1858, her parents
having been pioneer settlers of Black Hawk county. Fred E. Newton began
farming in early life and has always carried on general agricultural pursuits
save for the period which he spent in public office. He now resides six miles
north of Waverly and is still actively engaged in the work of tilling the soil. At
one time he served as deputy sherifif of Dubuque county and made an excellent
record as a capable and trustworthy official.

G. E. Newton is the eldest in a family of three children. He attended the
public schools of Monticello, Iowa, and afterward the schools of Manchester
but put aside his text-books when he reached the age of seventeen years and
began learning the plumber's trade at St. Paul, Minnesota, where he remained
for three years. Lie afterward spent two and a half years in Manchester as an

246 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

employe at the plumbing business and on the expiration of that period came to
Waterloo, where he entered the employ of Zook & Bentz, continuing with that
firm for five years. He then embarked in business on his own account, form-
ing a partnership with J. B. Bruner under the firm style of Bruner & Newton.
They opened a general plumbing and heating establishment and not only handle
supplies of that character but also do all kinds of repair work and conduct a
general jobbing business in plumbing supplies. Mr. Newton has concentrated
his efforts upon the upbuilding of the trade with good results, for the firm now
has a liberal patronage and from the business derives a gratifying annual income.

On the loth of July, 1898, Mr. Newton was united in marriage to Miss
Alice E. McKray, a native of Greeley, Delaware county, Iowa, and a daughter
of William and Flora (Chase) McKray. Her father was a butcher by trade
and is now deceased. He never came to this county. Her mother still survives
and is a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota. Mrs. Newton died on the 8th of
December, 1914, leaving four children, namely: Ruby Helen, Ralph Eugene,
Alice Mae and Wanda Juanita.

Mr. Newton is a Mason, holding membership in the blue lodge, the chapter,
commandery and the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias
fraternity, to the Travelers Protective Association and to the Commercial Club
and Board of Trade. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the
men and measures of the republican party but has never been a politician in
the sense of office seeking. He has always felt that in order to advance in
business he must concentrate his energies upon his duties, whether in the
employ of others or in the conduct of his own business, and it has been by
reason of his unremitting energy and persistency of purpose that he has gained
the comfortable competence that he now enjoys.

EDWARD J. WENNER.

Iowa has always been distinguished for the high rank of her bench and bar
and almost every town as well as city claims those who are able to cross swords
in forensic combat with the ablest lawyers of the country. Electing to engage in
law practice as a life work, Edward J. Wenner has continuously advanced
in this difficult and arduous profession and today is accorded a large and dis-
tinctively representative clientage in recognition of the ability which he has
developed and which places him among the able representatives of the bar in
Black Hawk county. He has followed his profession in Waterloo since October,
1904, arriving here when a young man of twenty- four years, his birth having
occurred in Benton county, Iowa, July 3, 1880. He is a son of Christian and
Margaret (Cokely) Wenner, who in the '50s settled in Benton county, Iowa,
where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has now passed away
but his widow still resides in that county.

Edward J. Wenner was educated in the public schools and in the Tilford
Collegiate Academy at Vinton, from which he was graduated with the class
of 1900. On the completion of his more specifically literary course he entered
the College of Law of the State University of Iowa and secured his LL. B.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 247

degree upon graduation with the class of 1903. He afterward gained the Master's
degree upon graduation from Yale University in 1904, having pursued a year's
post-graduate work in that institution. He was admitted to the Iowa bar in
1903, and in October, 1904, located for practice in Waterloo, where he entered
into partnership with E. H. McCoy under the firm name of Wenner & McCoy.
This connection was continued until 1909, since which time Mr. Wenner has
been alone in practice. He has acted for the plaintiff or defendant in many
important cases tried in both the state and federal courts and he has displayed
comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, together with an
assiduous and unrelaxing attention to all the details of his cases and a most
careful regard for the interests of his clients. His standing among his fellow
members of the bar is indicated in the fact that he has been honored with the
position of secretary of the Black Hawk County Bar Association. He is also
a member of the Iowa State Bar Association. In 1914 he was elected county
attorney of Black Hawk county on the republican ticket and is now the able
incumbent. While the practice of law has been his chief life work, he has
also become interested in other business enterprises and projects.

Mr. Wenner is recognized as a leading representative of the republican party
in Black Hawk county, has frequently been a delegate to the state conventions
and does all in his power to further republican successes because of his firm
belief in the efficacy and value of party principles as a factor in good govern-
ment. He has membership with the Knights of Pythias, has served as chan-
cellor commander of Helmet Lodge, No. 89, and for the past five years has been
a representative in the Grand Lodge of Iowa. He also has membership with
the Loyal Order of Moose, and was the first dictator of Waterloo Lodge, No.
328. He is a member of the Supreme Lodge, attended the national meetings
at Baltimore, Cincinnati and Milwaukee and is district deputy supreme dictator
for the district of Iowa. He likewise has membership with the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks and has been a delegate to the state convention of that
organization on two or three occasions. He has membership in the Fraternal
Aid Union at Denver and has served for six years as a member of the law
committee of the Supreme Lodge. He has membership in the Commercial
Club and Board of Trade and the Town Criers Club.

On the 17th of August, 1910, Mr. Wenner was united in marriage to Miss
Elizabeth Parrott, a daughter of W. F. Parrott, who was associated with The
Reporter of Waterloo, and a granddaughter of ex-Lieutenant Governor Matt
Parrott. Mr. and Mrs. Wenner have one son, Frank William. The family attend
Christ Episcopal church, and in social circles they occupy an enviable position,
while their own home is the abode of warm-hearted hospitality.

CLAUDE E. DOAK.

Claude E. Doak, one of the representative business men and influential
citizens of Cedar Falls, is the president of Doak's Transfer & Storage Company,
which he organized in 1909, under the name of the Cedar Falls Transfer &
Storage Company, for the purpose of storing and distributing machinery through

248 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

northern Iowa. His birth occurred in Lees, IlHnois, on the ist of June, 1880,
his parents being Samuel S. and Clara (Waters) Doak. The father was iden-
tified with railroad interests for a period covering thirty-six years, acting as
traveling passenger agent for the Northern Pacific Railway Company for a
number of years. He was a very popular official and enjoyed an extensive
acquaintance. His demise occurred at St. Paul, ^Minnesota, in April, 1907,
when he had attained the age of fifty-four years.

Claude E. Doak was reared at the family home in Webster City, Hamilton
county, Iowa, where his father was located for a number of years and long
served as a member of the school board, being also prominent in Masonic cir-
cles. Our subject acquired his education in the Webster City schools and at
the Capital City Commercial College of Des Moines, Iowa. Subsequently he
identified himself with railroad work as cashier of the freight house of the
Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company at Webster City. About three
A^ears later he accepted the position of paymaster for the Faust Construction
Company on construction work in the building of the Great Northern Railroad
through North and South Dakota. He next went to Tacoma, Washington,
where his father was then located, and took a position in the dispatcher's office
of the Northern Pacific Railway Company. Not finding the coast country to
his liking, however, he returned to Cedar Falls, Iowa, at the end of about
eight months and went to work for the Harrison, Cole Brothers, Incorporated,
manufacturers of stair work and interior finish and extensive lumber dealers.
Mr. Doak was made traffic manager of the company and continued with it for
about five years. On the expiration of that period, however, he resigned his
position and w^ent to Waterloo, where he organized a freight traffic bureau for
the purpose of auditing freight overcharges for heavy shippers, etc. At the
end of about a year he returned to Cedar Falls and made up a routing and
freight book for the manufacturers of the city which showed the proper rates
and routing for fourteen states. This was conceded to be the best rate book
of so comprehensive a character ever compiled up to that time and is still used
by many of the shippers of this section. In 1909 he organized the Cedar Falls
Transfer & Storage Company for the purpose of storing and distributing machin-
ery through northern Iowa and was made president and manager of the con-
cern, having served in the dual capacity to the present time. In the intervening
years, however, he absorbed the stock of the company and diverted it into
Doak's Transfer & Storage Company, under which name the enterprise is now
conducted. Mr. Doak also deals in coal and enjoys an enviable reputation as
one of the leading, progressive and representative business men of Cedar Falls.

In 1905 Air. Doak was united in marriage to Miss Dorothy B. Coryell, of
Cedar Falls, by whom he has two children, Dorothy C. and James Russell. He
gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a member of the
present city council of Cedar Falls, serving a four-year term. He acts as chair-
man of the street and alley committee and it is worthy of note that Cedar Falls
has gained its reputation as one of the best paved cities in the state by reason
of the work which has been done in the past four years. In the summer of
1914, deeming it necessary to devote his entire attention to his business interests,
he resigned from the council, but his resignation was not accepted. He is
identified fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 249

of Pythias, belonging to Red Cedar Lodge, No. 83, of the latter organization.
Air. Doak is also a valued member of the Commercial Club and acts as vestry-
man in the Episcopal church, with which his wife is likewise affiliated. They
are highly esteemed in the city of their residence and the circle of their friends
is an extensive one.

J. P. JEPSEN.

J. P. Jepsen, secretary and general manager of the Townsend & Merrill
Company and identified with various other business enterprises, belongs to that
class of men. whose energy and determination in business affairs constitute an
element in the city's progress as well as in individual success. He is therefore
well known as one of the leading residents of Cedar Falls and enjoys in large
measure the respect and regard of his fellow townsmen who accord him high
rank as a business man, as a citizen and as a friend.

He was born in Schleswig, Germany, in 1865, and acquired his education in
the schools of that country. Lie came to America in 1885 when a young man
of twenty years, arriving in Cedar Falls on the ist of August. He worked as
a farm hand by the month for two years and then turned his attention to car-
pentering, being employed by others for a few years, after which he began
taking contracts in the building line in and around Cedar Falls. He followed
that business with growing success until 1895, when he accepted the position
of foreman with the Townsend & Merrill Company, lumber merchants. In
1900 the business was reorganized and incorporated as a stock company and
has since been known as the Townsend & Merrill Company. Mr. Jepsen con-
tinued as foreman until 1904, at which time he became the successor of Mr.
Merrill, who had passed away. He has since been secretary and general man-
ager of the business and is also one of the stockholders and directors. This
company occupies a prominent position in lumber trade circles of Iowa, owning
and operating eight yards. The main office is at Cedar Falls, in addition to
which they have seven other yards, Mr. Jepsen having supervision over the entire
business. The different plants are located at Hampton, Faulkner, Ackley, New
Hartford, Dike, Hubbard and Industry, Iowa, while their yard at Cedar Falls
is the most extensive in Black Hawk county and their sales cover a wide ter-
ritory. They carry everything in connection with the building business and their
patronage is growing year by year. They have ever recognized the fact that
satisfied patrons are the best advertisement and have always closely adhered
to the old axiom that honesty is the best policy.

As Mr. Jepsen has achieved success, enabling him to command a greater
or less amount of capital, he has extended his investments and efforts into
other fields and is now a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Cedar Falls, in
the Viking Pump Company of Cedar Falls and the Danish Insurance Company
of Cedar Falls, of which he is the vice president and one of the directors. He
is also a stockholder in several other home manufacturing interests. Whatever
he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion and he seems to
recognize the possibilities of any business situation. His judgment is sound.

250 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

his energy unfaltering and as years have gone on he has made for himself a
most creditable position in commercial circles.

In 1892 Mr. Jepsen was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Hostrop, who
was born in Iowa City, a daughter of Detlef and Anna Hostrop, both of whom
were natives of Schleswig, Germany, and at an early day settled in Iowa near
Iowa City. ^Ir. and 'Sirs. Jepsen have become the parents of three daughters:
Anna Marie, who is attending the Iowa Teachers College; Jennie D., a gradu-
ate of the high school of Cedar Falls and now a student in the Iowa Teachers
College; and Mildred E., who is attending high school. The family occupy one
of the fine residences of Cedar Falls, the property being owned by Mr. Jepsen.

In politics he is a republican, but not an office seeker. He and his family
are of the Lutheran faith and they occupy an enviable position in social circles,
the hospitality of the best homes of the city being cordially extended them.
The record of Mr. Jepsen should serve to inspire and encourage others, show-
ing what may be accomplished when sound judgment points out the way and
persistency of purpose prompts continuance therein. Since coming to the new
world at the age of twenty years, practically empty-handed, he has advanced
step by step and has essentially formulated and given shape to his own char-
acter as well as to his success.

ANDREW G. RETD.

Andrew G. Reid is numbered among the able lawyers practicing at the bar
of Black Hawk county and through merit and ability has gained a good clientage.
He was born in Warren county, Illinois, a son of Jesse W. Reid, who was
a native of Pennsylvania and came to this state in his boyhood days. He
was married in Iowa to Miss Emma Stillings and passed away in 1889. During
the period of his residence in Iowa he was largely engaged in farming in Madi-
son county and lived a busy and useful life.

Andrew G. Reid is indebted to the public-school system of this state for the
early educational opportunities which he enjoyed. He was afterward gradu-
ated from Simpson College in the class of 1901 with the Bachelor of Arts degree.
He then entered the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann
Arbor and was graduated with the LL. B. degree in the class of 1906. Taking
up the profession of teaching, he was assistant professor of mathematics in
Monmouth College of Monmouth, Illinois, where he was also athletic director
for three years. In 1910 he came to Waterloo, where he has since been engaged
in practice in all of the courts of the state and in the federal courts. He has
continued in the general practice of law and is well versed in the various
branches of his profession. His arguments have elicited warm commendation
not only from his associates at the bar but also from the bench. His briefs
always show wide research, careful thought and the best and strongest reasons
Vv'hich can be urged for his contention, presented in cogent and logical form.

Mr. Reid is a member of the county bar association. He is also a member
of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while
his religious faith is manifest in his membership in the United Presbyterian

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 251

church. He is a young man but one who has made a creditable record in his
professional career. Steadily he has worked his way upward, recognizing that
in the practice of law ability is the keynote of advancement.

E. O. ROBERTS.

E. O. Roberts is the owner of a well improved farm, his place being situated
on section i6, where he has one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive
land. He was born December 6, 1869, in the township which is still his home,
his parents being John W. and Ann M. (Sroufe) Roberts, the former a native
of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. The father was a farmer by occupation,
devoting his life to that pursuit. He came to Black Hawk county with his
parents when but six years of age, arriving in 1850, and here he was reared and
educated. He received practical training in the work of the fields and when old
enough he began farming on his own account. At length he purchased land in
Spring Creek township, developing the tract and continuing its cultivation for
many years, transforming the place into one of the valuable farm properties of
the district. At length he retired and removed to La Porte City, where he con-
tinued to make his home until he was called to his final rest, his death occurring
June 2, 191 1. His widow survives and yet lives in La Porte City.

E. O. Roberts was reared and educated in this county and is indebted to its
public-school system for the opportunities for mental discipline which he enjoyed.
Through the periods of vacation he worked in the fields and thus had practical
training in the various phases of farming. He remained with his parents until
he reached the age of twenty-six years, after which he rented land which he
cultivated for six years. He then bought fifty acres in Spring Creek township
which he continued to farm for six years. At the end of that time he sold out
and invested in one hundred and sixty acres on section 16, since which time he
has added many improvements to the place and now has one of the valuable
farms in the county. The buildings are substantial and the place is enclosed
with well kept fences which also divide the farm into fields of convenient size.
The machinery is modern and the work accomplished is substantial. Mr. Rob-
erts is also a stockholder in the Farmers Produce Elevator Company and in
the Farmers Telephone Company. He raises high grade stock, making a specialty
of Duroc-Jersey hogs and from the sale of these he derives a gratifying annual
income.

On the nth of December, 1895, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to
Miss Alary Fry, a daughter of George and Harriet (McDonald) Fry, pioneer
settlers of this county. The father was born in Wisconsin July 30, 1849, ^"<^
the mother in Illinois August 14, 1845. Mr. Fry was a stonemason, which trade
he followed during the greater part of his active life. He is now living with
a son in Wisconsin, while his wife passed away in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts
are the parents of three children, George, Gorman and Gladon, aged fifteen,
ten and two years respectively. Mr. Roberts holds membership with the Ameri-
can Yeomen and he exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and
measures of the democratic party. Religiously he is a Methodist and to the

352 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

faith and teachings of the church he closely adheres. His well spent life has
won him high regard and his circle of friends in this county is almost coextensive
with the circle of his acquaintance.

C. L. KINGSLEY.

C. L. Kingsley is a representative of that class of capable, broad-minded
business men whose efforts are an element in advancing general prosperity as
well as promoting individual success. In all of his business career his plans
have been carefully formulated and he has displayed tireless energy, keen per-
ception and honesty of purpose as well as a genius for devising the right thing
at the right time. He is today prominently and widely known as the owner of
the Indng Hotel, as vice president of the Leavitt & Johnson National Bank and
as a factor in the successful control and management of numerous other important
business concerns.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Mr. Kingsley is a son of Robert M. and Julia
(Fletcher) Kingsley and was about twelve years of age when brought by his
parents to Waterloo, where he has since made his home. He continued his
education through successive grades in the public schools until he became a
high-school pupil and later he was graduated from Bryant & Stratton Business
College of Chicago and also from the Chicago Athenaeum, being thus well quali-
fied by thorough training for the duties and responsibilities of business life.
Upon his return to ^^'aterloo he became connected with insurance interests as
a representative of life insurance and later took up fire insurance. His advance-
ment was a foregone conclusion because of his laudable ambition, his unabating
industry and his firm purpose. In 1886 he became general state agent and
adjuster for all of the country west of Chicago to Salt Lake and from Duluth,
Minnesota, to El Paso, Texas. He remained with that company for fourteen
years, discharging with marked capability the onerous, difficult and ofttimes
delicate duties that devolved upon him in that connection. On the ist of July,
1900, he took charge of the Irving liotel. which his father had conducted since
1889. Under the management of C L. Kingsley it has been enlarged until there
are now one hundred and twenty-five guest rooms with store and business rooms-
below. The building, one hundred and sixty by ninety feet, is three stories in
height and the hotel is conducted according to modern methods in vogue in all
the leading hostelries of the day. ^Ir. Kingsley has installed every comfort
and convenience for the guests and the hotel is liberally patronized. lie is also
a member of the board of directors of the Farmers Loan & Trust Company and
is president of the Home Park Land & Investment Company. He is richly
endowed with that quality which too many lack — every day common sense—
and added to this is a resistless power which enables him to overcome all obsta-
cles and difficulties in his path. He has platted and laid out Kingbard Hill
addition to Waterloo, adding much thereby to the beauty of the city, and he
has been prominently identified with the development and growth of Waterloo
for an extended period.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 253

On the 6th of October, 1886, Mr. Kingsley was united in marriage to Miss
•Mary Plubbard, of Waterloo, and the hospitality of their home is enjoyed by
a circle of friends that is only limited by the circle of their acquaintance.

While Mr. Kingsley's business activity alone would entitle him to mention
as a prominent resident of Waterloo, his efforts along the line of citizenship
have been of notable value. He has been a cooperant factor in many of the
plans and projects of the Chamber of Commerce for the upbuilding of the
city. He belongs also to the Waterloo Club and the Town Criers Club, and
in fraternal circles is well known. In Masonry he has attained the degrees of
the Knights Templar Commandery and of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the
Knights of Pythias and is a member of the board of grand trustees of the Benevo-
lent Protective Order of Elks and is secretary of that board, having been
elected for a five years' term at the Denver meeting in July, 191 3. In
politics he is a republican and has taken an active interest in the affairs of state
and nation. He is a junior warden of St. Mark's Episcopal church, having been
thus officially connected with the church for a long period. It will thus be seen
that there is no important element in the life of the city with which he is not
associated in a helpful manner. Business enterprise, civic welfare and moral
progress have all been promoted by him. He certainly deserves much credit for
what he has accomplished along business hues, for through his persistent, earnest
and indefatigable efforts he has advanced to a leading position among the citi-
zens of Waterloo.

WILLIAM H. BEDEORD.

William H. Bedford is a leading factor in real-estate circles of Cedar Falls,
handling his own property. He now has a good clientage and his business has
reached extensive proportions. He was born in Lincoln township, this county,
while his parents, Daniel and Martha (Whitely) Bedford, were natives of
Pennsylvania. The father made farming his life work and in the year 1869
arrived in Iowa, at which time he took up his abode in Lincoln township. Black
Hawk county. Fie became a landowner and with the exception of a brief period
of a few months spent his remaining days in this county. He became interested
in a creamery business, was engaged in stock-raising and in other business affairs,
all of which contributed to his growing success. He died in May, 1898, while
his wife, who still survives, is a resident of Waterloo.

William H. Bedford was the fifth in order of birth in a family of seven
children. The family record is as follows: Clara is the wife of Dr. Vandervere,
of Cedar Falls. Josephine is the wife of T. F. Glenny, of Waterloo. Carleton
W. is a resident of Fludson, where he is cashier of the First National Bank.
Lyman D. is cashier of the First State Bank of Corona, California. William H.
is the next of the family. Elizabeth is the wife of Lloyd Loonan, a farmer resid-
ing at Hudson, Iowa. Helen is deceased.

William H. Bedford attended school in Hudson, Iowa, and also the State
Teachers College at Cedar Falls. Upon attaining his rnajority he accepted a
position in a bank at Adrian, Minnesota, where he acted first as bookkeeper and

254 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

afterward as assistant cashier for four years. On the expiration of that period
he went to Cedar Falls and was associated with the Cedar Falls National Bank
for six and one-half years in the capacity of assistant cashier. Since that time
he has engaged in the real-estate business, buying and selling farms and resi-
dence properties which he has improved and placed upon the market. From
his activities in this field he has derived a very substantial income and he has
as a partner in the undertaking George C Frisbee, with whom he is associated
in handling farm lands. Mr. Bedford is also a stockholder in the Weart-Frisbee
Lumber Company.

On the 22d of August, 1908, Mr. Bedford was united in marriage to Miss
Besse Simpson, who was born near Janesville, Bremer county, Iowa, a daugh-
ter of John and Margaret Simpson, who were also natives of Bremer county.
The father was a farmer by occupation and devoted many years to that pursuit
but is now living retired in Cedar Falls, where he and his wife occupy a pleas-
ant home.

Mr. Bedford is a republican in his political views but has never sought nor
desired public office. His moral progress has had its root in his membership
in the Presbyterian church and he has also exemplified in his life the teachings
and spirit of the Masonic fraternity, which is based upon the brotherhood of
man. He likewise has membership in the Elks lodge of Waterloo and he is
prominent and popular in these different organizations, enjoying the warm
regard, confidence and goodwill of his brethren of these fraternities.

D. SANDS WRIGHT, A. M.

One of the most potent factors in the success of the Iowa State Teachers
College, originally the Iowa State Normal School, has been the professional work
and personal influence of Professor D. Sands Wright. He was born on a farm
near New London, Highland county, Ohio, on the 7th of December, 1847. His
father, Joseph Wright, was a prominent and eloquent rtiinister in the Society of
Friends and his mother, Lydia (Cowgill) Wright, was a lifelong member of the
same communion. True to his home training, Professor Wright has been through-
out life a member and since 1886 a minister in the Quaker church. He enjoyed
in youth the usual educational advantages of a farmer's son, spending the winter
months in the country school and the remainder of the year at hard labor on
the farm.

As he approached young manhood he was possessed of an ardent desire to
acquire a thorough literary education and partly by teaching and partly upon
borrowed money he was enabled in 1871 to complete a classical course of instruc-
tion, receiving upon graduation the degree of A. B., and three years later the
honorary degree of A. M., and in 1887 he was given the honorary degree of
A. M. by Penn College. He received private undergraduate instruction from
Dr! Lewis McKibben at Hillsboro, Ohio, and he also took post-graduate work
under Dr. Phillips in civil engineering at Armour Institute, Chicago.

Professor Wright began his career as a teacher in the country schools of
Highland and Clinton counties, Ohio. In 1872 he was elected to the position

D. SANDS WEIGHT

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 257

of associate president of Whittier College, located at Salem, Henry county,
Iowa, and in 1874 his associate. Professor C. C. Pickett, having resigned, he
was chosen president of the institution by its board of directors. Two years
later the Iowa State Normal School was established by the legislature of the
state and he was called by the board of trustees of the new institution to the
chair of English language and literature. He has therefore been connected with
the school at Cedar Falls since its origin in 1876. He was transferred in 1881
from the chair of English to that of mathematics, which position he has filled
for over a third of a century. Since 1875 he has been a prominent and
active member of the Iowa State Teachers Association, has served for many
years as a member of its educational council and as a member of its
important committees has been a power in the shaping and directing of its
policies. In 1904 he served as president of the association. In educational
circles in Iowa he is widely known in many capacities. He has appeared in all
parts of the state as a conductor of teachers' institutes and as an institute lecturer.
He is always at home with a class of teachers and his didactic talks and lectures
are familiar, practical and entertaining. He treats his hearers to no fine-spun
and untried theories but to conclusions and inferences largely drawn from his
own experience in the difl'erent grades of public-school work, while there is a
(|uiet vein of humor in his addresses, which take a decidedly sarcastic turn when
he is exposing the shams and follies of educational quacks and pretenders.

He is also well known on the popular lecture platform. He visited Europe
in the '80s and on his return delighted many audiences by his lecture on What
1 Saw in Europe. Among his other lecture titles are The Coming Woman, Ideals,
Personality, Lincoln, the Man of Fortune, Complete Education and the Rights
of the Child. He has also given a great number of high school commencement
addresses and high school baccalaureate sermons.

Professor Wright has written much for educational magazines, his articles
published in the Iowa Normal Monthly alone numbering one hundred and forty-
four. His first contributions to that journal were a series of twelve ironical
educational articles, entitled The Scroggs Family, and were written under the
nom de plume of Thephilus Von Puft". Many of his articles for the Monthly
appeared in series, under such general titles as Lessons not Taught in the Books,
Words, Reading, Arithmetic and Pedagog's Progress. Of the single articles
may be mentioned as notable: Frank Davis; A. Jackson Smythe; Jug Town
Academy; and As Our Pupils See Us. These Normal Monthly articles have
been extensively quoted and reproduced in other educational journals and some
have been collected and published in book form. He is also the author of hand-
books for teachers, which have had an extensive sale. The best known of these
is his Exercises in Concrete Geometry, which is published by the well known
house of D. C. Heath & Company, Boston, and was prepared for them at their
request. The work is made up chiefly from the author's classroom notes and
embodies the results of a lifetime's experience in teaching geometry in a state
teachers' college. As a text-book it is unique in that it is based on the doctrine
that theory should immediately precede practice; that when a principle is once
learned by a pupil exercises should be at hand for its application. Its purpose
is to obviate the criticism often justly made against geometrical study, that the
student in the subject may be able to state all the whys and wherefores of a

Vol. 11—14

258 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

demonstration in the best logical form and yet be utterly helpless to apply the
principle so acquired to the solution of simple arithmetical problems.

On the 24th of July, 1880, Professor Wright was married to Miss Eliza
Rawstern, on the day of her graduation from the Iowa State Normal School.
To the union four children were born, a son and three daughters. The son,
Joseph, distinguished himself as a student and on the athletic field, winning in
the last year of his course in the Teachers College a place on the all-Iowa foot-
ball eleven. Later he pursued a course of training in the Young Men's Christian
Association Training School at Springfield, Massachusetts, and upon graduating
from this institution was placed in charge of the athletic department of the
Francis Parker Training School, Chicago, which position he has continued to
fill for many years. Of the daughters, Luella is teaching Latin in the high school
of North Yakima, Washington. May Wright Ratclifife is the wife of William
Ratcliffe, a prominent lawyer of Red Oak, Iowa. Ruth, the youngest, is pro-
fessor of voice and physical training in Yankton College, Yankton, South Dakota.
The children are all alumni of the Iowa State Teachers College and the two
elder daughters are also graduates of the State University of Iowa.

At the 191 2 commencement of the Teachers College, Professor Wright was
recognized by a banquet given in his honor by the alumni. Two of the leading
speakers on this occasion were Hon. E. D. Chassell, of Le Mars, and Hon. Rollo
Patterson, of New York city. The quotation below is from the address of
Mr. Chassell :

"Graduates go forth at each commencement, all owing a debt they can never
repay to Professor D. Sands Wright; a debt which makes them better and
kindlier and stronger men and women. It is the misfortune of many men to
appear upon the world's stage at the wrong time, but here is a man who was
staged at the right time. His achievements and his talents have done their good
work at a fortunate epoch. It has not been his to paint a picture. It has not
been his to build a railroad. It has not been his to discover a planet. We honor
him for greater things. In this the world's greatest period of achievement he
has been the inspiration animating unknown hundreds in every field of human
activity. His work has increased forty times forty fold. He has been a builder
of character. Lie has been a builder of men and women. No captain of industry
and no general of military armies is so great a master and none other merits so
great a reward. Neither war, famine nor pestilence can destroy his treasures,
and commercial disasters cannot impair his securities."

W. H. HANNA.

W. H. Hanna, president of the Western Farmers Land Company, with
offices in the Marsh-Place building in Waterloo, is a prominent figure in real-
estate circles, his intelligently directed activity and enterprise placing him among
the leaders in this line. His life record had its beginning in Benton county on
the loth of May, 1859, ^^^ parents being A. H. and Rose Anna Hanna, who came
to Iowa in 1857 from Stark county, Ohio, which was their birthplace. They
took up their abode in Benton county and the father there owned and operated

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 259

a farm. He purchased his first land from the government and as time passed
added to his original holdings until he became the owner of a valuable farm.
For many years he carefully and systematically tilled his fields and when he had
acquired a handsome competence he retired and took up his abode in Benton,
where he lived for twenty-two years prior to his death. In politics he was an
active republican, giving earnest and intelligent support to the party and its
principles, believing that its platform contained the best elements of good gov-
ernment. In his family were five children : Belle ; John, who owns, occupies
and cultivates the old homestead farm formerly the property of his father;
W. H., of this review; James; and Howard.

The youthful experiences of W. H. Hanna were those which usually fall
to the lot of the farm lad. He was reared in Benton county and acquired his
education in the common schools. From an early age he displayed notable
business ability and keen discernment and when he was but twenty-six years of
age he had charge of a farm of seven hundred acres, which he operated in con-
nection with the conduct of an extensive live-stock business. He handled stock
in such numbers that he fed all of the grain wdiich he raised and also purchased
fifteen thousand bushels annually to add to that which he had raised.

Mr. Hanna continued his active connection with farming interests until
191 1. On the 1st of January of that year the Western Farmers Land Company
was organized and capitalized for five million five hundred thousand dollars,
with W. H. Hanna as president; J. Y. Campbell, vice president; C. F. Robe,
secretary ; and R. W. Gibson, treasurer. In the company are more than five
hundred stockholders, living in various sections of the United States and Canada,
and they are principally farmers. The business has been placed upon a profitable
basis. They conduct a general land business, buying and selling and trafficking
in lands in this country and across the border in Canada. This is known as
the strongest, the largest and the most reliable real-estate firm in Iowa. The
policy instituted is largely the result of the enterprise, insight and splendid busi-
ness methods of Mr. Hanna, who recognized the opportunities along this line
and has so directed his efforts that he has not only derived personal benefit but
has also made the company a profitable concern. His worth is widely acknowl-
edged and his power conceded by all with whom he has been brought in contact.
He is both forceful and resourceful and aside from his connection with the
Western Farmers Land Company he has many business interests, being a director
of the Peoples Savings Bank of Vinton ; of the Farmers Savings Bank of Gar-
rison ; a director of the Greeley State Bank at Golsey, Nebraska ; a director in
the Benton County Agricultural Society; a stockholder in the Garrison Grain
& Lumber Company of Garrison, Iowa; president of the Farmers Mercantile
Store of Garrison, Iowa; and an equal owner with E. D. Bergen in the Oakridge
Stock Farm, which comprises seven hundred acres.

Mr. Hanna is a man of marked determination and carries forward to suc-
cessful completion whatever he undertakes. His judgment is sound, his dis-
crimination keen and his energy is unfaltering. He seems to readily recognize
the full possibilities of any business situation and he is able to coordinate appar-
ently diverse elements into a unified and harmonious whole.

In 1883 Mr. Hanna was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Bergen, a native
of Benton county, Iowa, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Bergen, who

260 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

were pioneers of that county. They came from Indiana and the father followed
farming in this state until his retirement from active business life. They had
a family of five children, Joseph, ]Mrs. Hanna, Martha, Dunning and Guy. To
our subject and wife have been born three children: Harry, deceased; Roberta;
and Belle.

Mr. and Mrs. Hanna are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Hanna's
grandfather was a preacher of the Presbyterian church and three of his nine
sons became preachers, while all nine have served as elders in the church. Mr.
Hanna is likewise connected with the church in the same capacity and has done
effective and earnest work to further its interests and welfare. His political
allegiance is given to the republican party, which elected him to represent the
district in the thirty-second general assembly. He studies political questions
with the same thoroughness and accuracy which he displayed in mastering busi-
ness problems and at all times manifests a public-spirited devotion to the gen-
eral good. His business career is a notably successful one and at every point
thoroughly commendable. He has at all times been actuated by a spirit of
advancement, yet he has never been known to take advantage of the necessities
of his fellowmen in any business transaction. He has ever realized that honesty
is the best policy and he has employed constructive methods in the conduct of
his interests.

MARK T. HU.MPHREY.

Mark T. Humphrey is conducting a growing and profitable business as a
dealer in electrical supplies, motors, lamps and fixtures and he also takes con-
tracts for installing electric light systems in farm houses and in small towns.
An analyzation of his life record shows that industry, close application, persever-
ance and a commendable ambition have been the chief elements in his growing
success. He is one of Black Hawk county's native sons, his birth having occurred
in Eagle Center, Eagle township, December 22, 1886. His parents were Thomas
J. and Olive (Roberts) Humphrey.

The father was born in the state of Xew York and devoted his life to farm-
ing. He came to Iowa in the spring of 1864, settling near Eagle Center, where
he purchased land, paying three dollars per acre for his first eighty acre tract.
He added to this from time to time as his financial resources increased and
brought his place to a high state of cultivation. His methods of farming were
at all times practical and progressive and he won a substantial measure of suc-
cess. He continued to reside upon the farm until the fall of 1901. when he.
moved to \\'aterloo and retired from active business, spending his remaining
days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He was secretary of the Eagle Center
Dairy Association and his influence was always on the side of progress and
improvement as related to the various phases of agricultural life. He was a
stockholder and the treasurer of the Black Hawk County Farmers Mutual Fire
and Lightning Insurance Association. He was always interested in pubhc
afi^airs and several times was called to office. He served as a trustee of his,
township and was a member of the board of supervisors when the Fourth Street

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 261

bridge was built and also when the site for the present courthouse was pur-
chased. His life was one of continuous activity and was a useful element in
the county's progress and improvement along various lines. He enjoyed the
respect and good-will of all who knew him and his death, which occurred in
November, 1905, was deeply regretted. His wife, who was born December 20,
1855, is still living in Waterloo, her residence being at No. 612 Grant avenue.
They were the parents of two children, the elder being a daughter, Maude, who
is now the wife of Aaron Palmer, who resides in Marshalltown, being the pres-
ent superintendent of schools there, in which capacity he is serving for the
eighth year.

The son, Mark T. Humphrey, was a pupil in the country schools and in the
Waterloo high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1905.
He afterward studied in the electrical engineering department in the Iowa State
College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts at /\mes, completing his course in
1909. He resided at home and from choice, while at school, he put in his vaca-
tions doing wiring and other work preparatory to following the business in
which he is now engaged. He thus obtained valuable experience and continued
in this way until he started in business on his own account, on the i8th of July,
1909, when he formed a partnership with C. W. Hitchcock. They established
the present business under the style of Hitchcock & Humphrey, starting in a
small way m a second floor room at No. 400I/. West Fifth street. There they
remained for about eighteen months, when they came to their present location,
and after about a year they bought out the Iowa Electrical Machinery Company
and have since conducted the two enterprises. They carry a full line of electrical
supplies, motors, lamps, fixtures, etc., and in addition they install electrical
lighting systems upon farms and in small towns. They do a jobbing and retail
business and have gained a liberal patronage. In addition to his business affairs
Mr. liumphrey is the owner of residence property in Waterloo.

Mr. Humphrey exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and
measures of the republican party. He keeps well informed on the questions
and issues of the day and is ever ready to support his position by intelligent
argument. He has been a member of the Baptist church since 1901 and he
holds membership with the Knights of Pythias. He is well known in the county
where his entire life has been passed and that many of his warmest friends are
those who have known him from his boyhood to the present is an indication
that his career has ever been an honorable and upright one.

LOUIS W. WITRY.

Louis W. Witry is the vice president and factory manager of the Waterloo
Gas Engine Company, in which connection he has the supervision of the
labors of seven hundred employes. He is a man of determined purpose,
carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and his life
work has been of a character that has contributed to public prosperity as well as
to individual success.

262 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

He is a native of Waterloo, born in 1870, his parents being Dominic and
Margaret (Pott) Witry, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father
was born in 1841 and came to Waterloo in 1868. He entered the employ ot
Henry Daniels in the only sawmill of the town and in that connection engaged
in the manufacture of furniture, for he was a cabinet-maker by trade. It was
soon after his arrival in Waterloo that he wedded Margaret Pott and they became
parents of three children ; Louis W\ ; Perrie J., who has always lived in Waterloo ;
and Mary, also of this city.

Louis W. Witry was educated in Our Lady of Victory Sisters' school in
Waterloo and at the age of fifteen commenced work at the machinist's trade
with the Illinois Central Railroad Company, serving a five years' apprentice-
ship. He was engaged in locomotive work for twelve years, working in a
number of the leading shops in the middle west and on the coast in order to
gain greater experience. In August, 1897, he became associated with the
Waterloo Gas Engine Company, which was then occupying the old building
located on the river and employed twenty men. The following January he was
made superintendent of the factory and a little later he became a stockholder
in the company and was elected to the office of vice president and factory man-
ager. Something of the growlh of the business is indicated in the fact that
they now employ on an average of seven hundred workmen, many of whom are
most skilled and efficient in their particular line. Mr. Witry designed the
Waterloo Gasoline Engine, which was far superior to anything that had been
put upon the market at that time, and it gave such uniform satisfaction that
it was necessary to immediately arrange for a larger factory in order to supply
the demand. This was the starting point of the great plant which they have
today, a plant that covers many acres and utilizes a number of buildings, the
largest of which is one thousand by one hundred and twenty feet. There are
two other buildings one fifty by one hundred and twenty feet, another three hun-
dred by one hundred and forty feet, with a foundry one hundred by six hundred
feet. Theirs is one of the most popular engines on the market and in the great
factory the hum of industry is continuously heard, for the work is carried steadily
forward in order to furnish the supply that is demanded in all parts of the world.
Their trade not only covers America, but many foreign countries, this being
indicative of the superiority of their engine over many others upon the market.
In this factory was built the first automobile ever constructed or used in Black
Hawk county and the design was by Mr. Witry. They continued the manufac-
ture of automobiles for some time but on account of the rapid increase in the
demand for gasoline engines had to abandon the former for lack of room.

Mr. Witry is an extensive property holder of Waterloo and now occupies
the old homestead with his mother and sister, his father having died in 1912.
He is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church and of the Knights of Columbus,
and he also has membership with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks, the Chamber of Commerce, the Waterloo Club and
Waterloo Business and Traveling Men's Association. His has indeed been a
busy, useful and active life, resulting in continuous advancement. Following
out the bent of his nature he soon reached an expert position in connection with
mechanics and his initiative spirit has led to inventions that have been of the
utmost value and worth. A man of great natural ability, his success in business

LOUIS W. WITt?Y

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 263

has been uniform and rapid. As has been truly remarked, after all that may
be done for a man in the way of giving him early opportunities for obtaining
the requirements which are sought in the schools and in books, he must essen-
tially formulate, determine and give shape to his own character and this is
what Mr. Witry has done.

W. K. VOORHEES.

W. K. Voorhees, one of the foremost business men and popular young citi-
zens of Cedar Falls, has since 1910 served as secretary and general manager
of the Standard Manufacturing Company of the city, which concern is engaged
in the manufacture of steel gates and conducts one of the important industrial
plants of Black Hawk county. His birth occurred in Mahaska county, Iowa,
near the town of Pella, on the 25th of August, 1887, his parents being John K.
and Algenette (Ryan) Voorhees, likewise natives of this state. John K. Voor-
hees, Sr., the paternal grandfather, came to Iowa from Ohio in 1845 and at that
early day located on a farm in Mahaska county, spending the remainder of his
life thereon. It was there that the birth of his son occurred. For about twenty
years John K. Voorhees, Jr., has been a commercial salesman, now representing
the Gale Manufacturing Company of Albion, Michigan, manufacturers of farm
machinery. In 1904 he took up his abode in Cedar Falls and has here since
.resided.

W. K. Voorhees was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement
of an education attended the graded schools and the Cedar Falls high school,
from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1906. Soon after
putting aside his text-books he secured a position with the Iowa Gate Com-
pany of Cedar Falls, acting as office man for the concern. He contmued in
the service of the company for about four years and that his worth and ability
were recognized by his employers is indicated in the fact that he was sent out
to represent the firm when a special representation was required. In 1910 he
resigned his position with the Iowa Gate Company and became one of the
leading spirits in the organization of the Standard Manufacturing Company,
which was incorporated under the laws of Iowa and of which he was made
secretary and manager. The concern began operations in the old paper mill
property, but the business developed so rapidly that larger quarters were neces-
sary and in 19 12 a modern brick building was erected which extends through
from Third to Fourth street, having a length of about two hundred and sixty
feet and a width of eighty feet. In 191 3 the company built an addition of
seventy by ninety feet to house their galvanizing plant, which they installed at
that time. The state factory inspector declares it the best equipped and best
ventilated galvanizing plant in the state of Iowa. The firm does all the galvan-
izing for the Wagner Manufacturing Company and for the Du Mond Manu-
facturing Company as well as their own work. In his capacity as secretary and
manager Mr. Voorhees has contributed not a little to the continued growth and
success of the business, and he is widely recognized as a young man of splendid
executive ability and enterprise.

264 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

In 1909 Air. \'oorhees was united in marriage to Miss Julia C. Philpot, of
Cedar Falls, by whom he has one son, Maynard K. Fraternally he is identified
with the following organizations : Black Hawk Lodge, No. 65, A. F. & A. M.,
in which he is a member of the board of trustees; Valley Chapter, No. 20,
R. A. M. ; Baldwin Commandery, No. 11, K. T. ; Crescent Council, No. 16,
R. & S. M., of Waterloo ; and El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. Mr. Voor-
hees is also a well known member of the Cedar Falls Commercial Club and has
already attained a position in business circles of his city that many a man of
twice his years might well envy.

J. F. CASS.

J. F'. Cass is the vice president of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern
Railroad but this is only one phase of his activity, as he has been identified with
various plans, projects and measures which have been an element in promoting
the material, intellectual, political and moral progress of his community. A
native of Wisconsin, he came to Iowa with his parents when three years of age
and was reared in Sumner, his education being acquired in the public schools.
When a young man he went to Chicago and for five years was with the First
National Bank, starting as messenger and becoming assistant to E. K. P)oisot,
then manager of the bond department and foreign coin teller.

Mr. Cass afterward engaged in the banking business in Sumner, Iowa, with-
liis father, conducting a private bank. Subsequently he organized the bank at
Tripoli and at Denver, Iowa, and with his partners controls those two banks and
also one at Sumner. He is a well known figure in financial circles, thoroughly
conversant with every phase of banking, and his business ability has been an
element in establishing strong financial institutions. He is also a director of the
Commercial National Bank of Waterloo. His principal interest is in the invest-
ment and banking business and he also deals largely in real estate, buying and
selling lands as well as bonds and other commercial paper. He organized and
is the president of the Iowa Real Estate & Investment Company, which is
capitalized for two hundred thousand dollars, all of which has been paid in cash.
He is likewise financially and officially connected with various other business
enterprises of importance which have been factors in the upbuilding and busi-
ness development of the state. He is the president of the Cass Farm Company,
which is the owner of five hundred acres of valuable land in Bremer county and
of many thousands of acres in Black Hawk and Grundy counties. This com-
pany is winning notable success in the development and conduct of its Bremer
county farm, which is a model property. Thereon they handle nothing but
blooded stock and upon the place have been produced some of the finest cattle
and horses of the state.

Mr. Cass was also instrumental in organizing the Western Electric Telephone
System and was president of the company when they put in the first toll telephone
lines throughout Iowa, Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and other points in the
middle west. He was also at one time president of the Kinloch Telephone Com-
pany of St. Louis and of Kansas City and few men have been more active in

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 265

instituting and developing the telephone system of the central western states.
When the Western Electric Telephone Company sold out to the Bell Telephone
Company they had nearly six thousand miles of line in operation. Mr. Cass
certainly deserves great credit for organizing the company, of which he was the
president and the principal stockholder. He is now prominently, closely and
actively associated with the operation of interurban railways as the vice presi-
dent of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Railroad. His business interests
have on the whole been of a character that have contributed in large measure
to public progress and prosperity as well as to individual success.

In 1887 Mr. Cass was united in marriage to Miss Florence B. Royal and
they have one daughter, Hazel M., now the wife of J. C. Koeneke, of Waterloo,
and a son, Ernest Cass, who was educated in the public schools, in the Shattuck
Military School at Faribault, Minnesota, and is now in the office of the Water-
loo, Cedar Falls & Northern Railroad Company.

Mr. Cass has been a member of the Knights of Pythias for twenty-five years
and he also has membership in the Commercial Club and Board of Trade of
Waterloo. In politics he is a prominent republican and has served as state
chairman of the republican state central committee. He has likewise been a
member of the board of trustees of the Upper Iowa University of Fayette. His
interests and activities have thus covered a wide range, having to do with the
welfare of his state in many connections. Progress and patriotism might well
be termed the keynotes of his character. He is a man of well balanced mind,
even temper and conservative habit and is rich in the possession of enterprise
of the kind that leads to great accomplishments.

JOHN W. ROBERTS.

In the demise of John W. Roberts, which occurred at La Porte City on the
2d of June, 1911, Black Hawk county lost one of its esteemed citizens and repre-
sentative agriculturists, for he had resided within the borders of this county for
more than six decades and had won gratifying success as a farmer, owning a
tract of two hundred acres in Spring Creek township. His birth occurred in
Indiana on the nth of August, 1843, his parents being E. O. and Irene Roberts,
both of whom were natives of Wales. They emigrated to the United States in
a very early day and located in Indiana, where they made their home until 1849,
wlien they removed to Jones county, Iowa. The following year, however, they
came to Black Hawk county, settling in Spring Creek township, where the father
carried on agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life. He passed
away January 2"], 1899, and his wife died January 17, 1899. They had lived in
this county for almost a half century and had won an extensive circle of warm
friends who sincerely mourned their loss.

John W. Roberts, but a very young lad when brought to Black Hawk county
by his parents, was reared and educated in Spring Creek township and remained
on the home farm until twenty-four years of age. He then started out as an
agriculturist on his own account, purchasing forty acres of land on sections 9
and 4, Spring Creek township, which he began improving. Prosperity attended

266 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

his labors and as time passed he extended the boundaries of his farm by addi-
tional purchase until it embraced two hundred acres. He brought the place to
a high state of cultivation and improvement and devoted his attention to the
active work of the fields until 1900, when he took up his abode in La Porte
City, where he purchased an attractive residence and spent the remainder of his
life in honorable retirement. His demise occurred on the 2d of June, 191 1, at
the end of about eight years' illness. The farm of two hundred acres is still
in possession of his widow, who also owns a residence in La Porte City which
she leases.

On the 30th of May, 1867, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss
Anna M. Sroufe, who was born in Ohio, July 26, 1850, her parents being Benoni
and Mary Ann (Grandoll) Sroufe, natives of Ohio. In 1853 they removed to
Buchanan county, Iowa, where the father successfully carried on farming
throughout the remainder of his active business career. He enjoyed retirement,
however, for but three months, passing away in Brandon at the end of that
time — in 1902. For four decades he had survived his wife, who was called to
her final rest in 1862. To Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were born four children, as
follows; Mrs. W. H. Abbott, of Los Angeles, California; E. O., of Spring
Creek township, this county ; J. W., who is a resident of \\'aterloo ; and Mrs.
Fannie Wells, living in Hitchcock, South Dakota.

Mr. Roberts gave his political allegiance to the democracy and served as
school director for several years, being ever a stalwart champion of the cause
of education. His religious faith was that of the Methodist church and fra-
ternally he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His
life was upright and honorable in every relation and his death came as a great
bereavement to many friends as well as to his immediate family. Mrs. Roberts,
still living in La Porte City, is also highly esteemed here, the circle of her friends
being almost coextensive with the circle of her acquaintances.

FRANK N. MEAD, M. D.

Dr. Frank N. Mead has engaged in the practice of medicine at Cedar Falls
since the fall of 1899 ^^^ i" the intervening period of fifteen years has made
continuous progress in his profession. He was born in Shellrock, Butler county,
Iowa, October 6, 1868, and is a son of Levi and Adeline (West) Mead, the
former a native of Saratoga Springs, New York, and the latter of Indiana. The
father followed farming as a life work and in 1867 came to Iowa, settling near
Shell Rock. He became a landowner and for many years engaged in farming
but is now living retired, he and his wife making their home in Shell Rock. His
business record is a creditable and enviable one but not more so than his record
as a soldier of the Civil war. Through four years and five months he was with
the army as a member of Company B, Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry,
known as the "Live Eagle" Regiment because of the fact that they had with them
through much of the war a live eagle. Mr. Mead was never w^ounded nor con-
fined in a hospital through illness but was always at his post, never faltering in
the performance of duty, whether upon the lonely picket line or in the midst of

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 267

the firing line. He was promoted from the rank of corporal to that of first
lieutenant and he returned to his home with a most creditable military record.

Dr. Mead was the oldest of the four children in his father's family. He
attended school in Butler county, Iowa, and also became a student in the State
Normal School at Cedar Falls. Determining upon the practice of medicine as
a life work, he entered the medical department of the University of Iowa and
afterward continued his studies in preparation for his profession in the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania. He was graduated from the former with the class of
1893 and from the latter as a member of the class of 1895 ^^^ was thus well
equipped for important responsibilities and grave professional duties. Before
pursuing his medical course, however, he took up the profession of school-
teaching in Butler county, devoting a year to that work. Following his gradua-
tion from the Pennsylvania Medical College he located for practice at Bristow,
Butler county, Iowa, where he remained for several years. He then came to
Cedar Falls in September, 1899, ^"^ has here followed his profession contin-
uously since. He continues in general practice, to which he devotes his entire
time, and he belongs to the city, county and state medical associations. Long
experience and broad reading have greatly augmented his knowledge and
ability, and at all times he has kept in touch with the onward trend of thought
and scientific investigation in regard to medical practice.

In December, 1898, Dr. Mead was married to Miss Daisy Seefried, who was
born in Vienna, Austria, in which city they were married while Dr. Mead was
attending the University of Vienna. To them have been born three children,
Joseph O., Bertha Louise and Marion Ruth.

Dr. Mead is prominent in Masonic circles, having advanced from the lodge
through the various degrees of the York Rite until he is a Knight Templar in
Baldwin Commandery. He is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He has
passed through all of the chairs of the chapter and commandery. Laudable
ambition has actuated him in all of his professional activities and led to his going
abroad for further study, so that he becam.e familiar with the advanced methods
of many eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world. His reading, how-
ever, has not been confined alone to the science of medicine but has compassed
a broad field, bringing him in touch with many of the vital and significant prob-
lems of the day.

J. W. GALLOWAY.

J. W. Galloway needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for as
vice president of the William Galloway Company and of the Galloway Brothers
Company he is prominently connected with the business interests not only of
Waterloo and Black Hawk county, but of the state. Iowa has reason to be
proud to number him among her native sons. His birth occurred in Tama
county in 1876 and there he was reared and educated. His advantages were
not above those which come to the average youth.

Early in life Mr. Galloway engaged in farming and in fact is still heavily
interested in agricultural pursuits, for in connection with his brother he is the

268 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

owner of four sections of land in the Saskatchewan district in Canada, which
they use in growing seed for their business at this point. Three years ago the
company was incorporated as the Galloway Brothers-Bowman Company, but at
the present time it is the Galloway Brothers Company. The capital stock is five
hundred thousand dollars. The company deals in all kinds of farm and field
seeds, flowers and shrubbery and, as indicated, their farm and field seeds are
cultivated upon their Saskatchewan property, while their flower seeds are all
imported. The business has reached large and gratifying proportions and their
shipments cover a very wide territory, being sent to all parts of the country.
Of this company J. W. Galloway is the vice president and active in the manage-
ment of the business. He is also the vice president of the William Galloway Com-
pany, manufacturers of farm machinery and implements, in which connection
they control one of the most extensive and important industrial concerns of the
state. Their business in the seed line is a mail order business and they also
take contracts for landscape gardening, doing considerable work of that char-
acter throughout the country.

In 1904 Mr. Galloway was united in marriage to Miss Lula Jones, of Seaton,
Illinois, and they have become parents of three children, James Harold, Margaret
Virginia and Roger Maine. Mr. Galloway is a member of the United Presby-
terian church, also of the Commercial Clul) and Hoard of Trade — interests and
activities which indicate the rules which govern his conduct and point out his
line of activity for the benefit of the community. He is a most energetic man,
resolute, forceful and resourceful. He is well balanced, physically and mentally,
possesses sufficient courage to venture where favoring opportunity is presented,
and his judgment and even ])aced energy have carried him forward to the goal
of success.

CHARLES S. BICKLEY.

Charles S. Bickley is a real-estate and insurance broker numbered among
the active business men of Waterloo, of which city he is a native son. He was
born September 26, 1878, his parents being G. G. and Eliza J. (Blough) Bickley,
of whom mention is made elsewhere m this volume in connection with the sketch
of their son. Dr. G. G. Bickley.

Charles S. Bickley spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental
roof and at the usual age began his education as a public-school student. When
he had completed the high-school course in Waterloo he entered the Waterloo
Business College and after putting his text-books aside he was for a number of
years identified with his father in the telephone business, being thus connected
until the father disposed of his interests along that line. Charles S. Bickley then
remained with the father's successors, the Iowa Telephone Company, in the
capacity of city foreman and in other connections for two years and later he
identified himself with James Gardner in the real-estate business. They were
associated for two and a half years and subsequently Mr. Bickley entered into
business with Louis Miller, which relation was maintained for three years. On
the ist of May, 19 14, he established an independent business with offices in the

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 269

Bickley building, which is a part of his father's estate. He is now devoting his
attention to real-estate and insurance brokerage and has handled much valuable
property. He is thoroughly versed concerning realty values and he knows every
phase of the business and has manifested keen sagacity in managing and directing
the affairs under his control.

In 1903 Mr. Bickley was united in marriage to Miss Helen D. Hull, of Chi-
cago. Mr. Bickley exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and
measures of the republican party and has always been loyal to that organization,
believing that its principles contain the best elements of good government. He
belongs to the Town Criers Club, an organization formed to further the interests,
promote the upbuilding and extend the business relations of his city. He is ever
loyal to Waterloo and aids in many movements which are directly beneficial to
the municipality. His entire life having been passed in this city, he is well
known and the sterling traits of his character have gained for him the high
esteem of those with whom he has been brought in contact through both business
and social relations.

PETERSEN BROTHERS.

The firm of Petersen Brothers is composed of A. T. and A. H. Petersen,
conducting a successful business as funeral directors and embalmers. The senior
partner of the firm, A. T. Petersen, was born at Durant, Iowa, October 15, 1883,
a son of J. W. and Henrietta E. (Friedrich) Petersen, the former a native of
Hamburg, Germany, and the latter of Davenport, Iowa. The mother, however,
came of German parentage. J. W. Petersen arrived in the United States in
1853 and first settled at Durant, Iowa. It was on the loth of December, 1876,
in Davenport, that he wedded Miss Friedrich, although she was a resident of
Durant at the time. Mr. Petersen was one of the pioneer funeral directors of
the latter city and engaged in the business when each undertaker made the
coffins which he sold. He has been in the business in Durant for more than
thirty-five years and is a well known and highly respected citizen there.

A. T. Petersen was educated in the schools of his native city and after com-
pleting the high-school course attended Brown's Business College of Davenport,
from which he was graduated in both the bookkeeping and stenographic depart-
ments as a member of the class of 1907. A. H. Petersen, who was born Septem-
ber 13, 1886, also attended the public and high schools of Durant. The brothers
worked under their father's direction from an early age and thereby laid the
foundation for their later success in their chosen field of labor. They entered
the Hohenschuh-Carpenter College of Embalming at Des Moines, A. H. Petersen
he'mg graduated on the 28th of July, 1909, while A. T. Petersen completed his
course in that institution in July, 191 1. The previous year the brothers had
come to Waterloo and established themselves in business in commodious quar-
ters, their rooms including a chapel and a private morgue, together with thor-
oughly modern show rooms supplied with glass wall cases. Theirs is the only
firm in Waterloo with the glass wall show cases. The firm also owns a private

270 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

motor ambulance, which they operate in connection with the business. This is
thoroughly up-to-date, having all of the latest improvements.

On the 6th of June, 1910, A. T. Petersen was married to Miss Edna C.
Goettsch, of Durant. On the 15th of the same month A. H. Petersen wedded
Miss Hilda S. Goettsch, a sister of his brother's wife. They all live in one resi-
dence as one family at No. 611 West Fifth street and own their own home.
The brothers are members of Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M. ; Taber-
nacle Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M. ; Crescent Council, No. 16, R. & S. M. ; and
Ascalon Commandery, No. 25, K. T. ; while A. T. Petersen has taken the work
of the Mystic Shrine and is a member of El Kahir Temple, of Cedar Rapids.
He and his w'lie are also members of Waterloo Chapter, No. 128, O. E. S.. and
he is likewise a member of Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P. ; the Tribe of Ben
Hur; and Waterloo Lodge, No. 328, L. O. O. M., of which he is the secretary.
His brother is a member of the Modern \\'oodmen camp and both brothers hold
membership in the Episcopal church, while A. T. Petersen is likewise a member
of the Young Men's Christian Association. Both are men of sterling qualities
and upright character as well and business ability has been a factor in estab-
lishing them in the high regard in which they are uniformly held. Since coming
to Waterloo they have built up an enviable and lucrative business and their suc-
cess is well merited by reason of their honorable methods and enterprise.

S. F. CASS.

No history of Black Hawk county would be complete were there failure to
make prominent and extended reference to S. F. Cass, whose efforts along
various lines contributed to the upbuilding, development and improvement of
this section of the state. Moreover, through his well directed business career he
won the proud American title of a self-made man and his life history should
serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others, showing what
may be accomplished when determination and energy point out the way and
when industry goes hand in hand with integrity. Mr. Cass was born in Prescott
county, Canada, June 31, 1839, and in i860 accompanied his parents to Wis-
consin. There, a year later, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Wilcox,
a native of New York, and to them were born six children, of whom three sons,
J. F., L. S. and C. D. Cass, are now living and are numbered among the prom-
inent, influential and successful business men of eastern Iowa.

About 1864 S. F. Cass left Wisconsin for Ogdensburg, New York, Avhere he
pursued a course of study in the Bryant & Stratton Business College, having
realized the need and worth of such a training as a preparation for the business
world. Following his graduation he taught in that school for one term but in
1865 severed his connection with the college and returned to his old home in
Wisconsin for a visit. Soon afterward he came to Iowa and took up his abode
in Sumner township, Bremer county, where he purchased five acres of land.
Subsequently he established a store which constituted the nucleus of a little
town that grew up around it and was called Cassville. It had gained considerable
importance in 1875, when it was decided to move Cassville to Sumner in the

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 271

hope that the railroad would be built through the latter place. The winter of
1875-6, therefore, saw Cassville on runners. Mr. Cass moved seven buildings,
one of which was drawn by a team of forty horses, with a yoke of oxen at-
tached to the rear to hold back going down hill. So closely interwoven with the
history of Sumner is the life record of Mr. Cass that it is impossible to mention
one without including the other. He did most important work in upbuilding
and promoting the interests of that town and its development is attributable in
no small measure to his efforts. For a number of years he spent a part of his
time in Oregon, where he had large interests.

On the 1st of January, 1881, Mr. Cass established the Bank of Sumner, of
which he remained the president up to the time of his death. He was also presi-
dent of the First National Bank of Grants Pass, Oregon, and was an able busi-
ness man, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertook.
He recognized and utilized opportunities that others passed heedlessly by and
as the years went on he won the reward of his labors. He was indeed a self-
made man who by diligence and honesty gained advancement, and although he
started out as a poor boy, empty-handed, having no special advantages to assist
him at the beginning of his business career, he was at the time of his death
president of two banks and held extensive real-estate interests in Bremer and
adjoining counties and also in Wisconsin and Oregon.

The attainment of success, however, was not the sole aim and purpose of
his life, for he was a generous and public-spirited man and his name could
always be found on any subscription list to assist the needy or promote any
charitable enterprise. When there was a plan or project advanced for the up-
building of town or county he gave to it his earnest and generous support and
it would be impossible to estimate the measure of his work and influence in that
direction. He judged men by their individual merit and not by wealth or posi-
tion. He always spoke as cordially and kindly to the man clad in overalls and
blue jacket as he did to the one in broadcloth and fine linen. He was always
generous toward his employes and it was no unusual thing for him, as the day
drew to a close, to say at 5 :30 : "Well, boys, you have done well today. Pick
up your tools and we will call it a day." The salient traits of his character were
such as endeared him to all and he was loved and honored wherever known and
most of all where he was best known.

HARRY B. BAHR.

Harry B. Bahr is engaged in the real-estate and investment business at
Waterloo, with offices in the Marsh-Place building. Thoroughness and energy
characterize his work in all connections and have been the means of bringing to
him substantial success in this field of business. He was born at La Porte City,
in Black Hawk county, November 22, 1888, a son of Levi and Amelia Bahr,
both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The mother died during the in-
fancy of her son Harry. The father, who early learned the carpenter's trade,
became a contractor and on his removal to the middle west prior to the Civil
war settled in Wisconsin. Soon after the close of hostilities between the north

272 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

and the south he came to Black Hawk county, casting in his lot with its pioneer
settlers. He then began farming near La Porte City and devoted a few years
to the work of tilling the soil but at the end of that time again turned his atten-
tion to the carpenter's trade, which he followed until his retirement from active
business life. He now lives in La Porte City at the advanced age of seventy-
eight years and throughout the entire period of his residence in this county he
has ever enjoyed the confidence, good-will and esteem of his fellow townsmen.
His family numbered six children : Samuel ; William ; Charles ; Franklin ; Ida,
the wife of W. A. Lawrence; and Harry B., of this review.

The last named acquired his education in La Porte City, Iowa, under the
direction of Mr. Lizer, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume.
He attended the high school at Parkersburg and afterward was a student in the
Cedar Rapids Business College and the Waterloo Business College. He was
graduated from the College of Commerce during the first year of its existence
in Waterloo. He was afterward employed in the Citizens Savings Bank and in
the Waterloo Loan & Trust Bank, where he was the secretary of the president
of the bank, Mr. Jamison, for one year. In 1910, in company with C. M. Allen,
he turned his attention to the real-estate business but two years later dissolved
that partnership and continued alone as a real-estate dealer, since which time he
has maintained his oftices in the Marsh-Place building. He makes a specialty
of investments in timber lands and colonization tracts, handling property in the
northern, southern and western states. He owns considerable property in dif-
ferent sections of the country and a good residence property in Waterloo. His
investments are judiciously made, for he has thoroughly informed himself con-
cerning realty values in the different districts in which he operates.

In igi2 Mr. Bahr was united in marriage to Miss Eva Christopher, who was
born at Parkersburg, Butler county, a daughter of L. P. Christopher, whose wife
died when their daughter, Mrs. Bahr, was but a young child. Mr. and Mrs.
Bahr hold membership in the Presbyterian church. He gives his political alle-
giance to the republican party and fraternally he is connected with the Knights
of Pythias. lie has attractive social qualities and many sterling characteristics
which have won for him warm friendship among those with whom business or
social relations have brought him in contact.

HON. CHARLES EDGAR PICKETT.

Hon. Charles Edgar Pickett of Waterloo is a well known figure in Iowa.
Prominent among the members of the bar of the state, an orator of national
reputation, well known in business circles and fraternal organizations and com-
ing from a strong family, Mr. Pickett ranks among the distinguished sons of
Black Hawk county. He was born in Bonaparte, Van Buren county, Iowa,
January 14, 1866, a son of Edgar C. and Glovina E. (Ballard) Pickett, the
former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indiana. They came to Iowa
in 1863, setthng in Van Buren county, and in 1872 removed to Black Hawk
county, where their remaining days were passed. Edgar C. Pickett responded
to the country's call for aid in 1861 and became captain of Company A, Fiftieth

HON, CHAELES E. PICKETT

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 275

Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and later captain of Company C, Eighth Iowa Volun-
teer Cavalry, both of which companies he organized. In 1863 he was wounded,
returned home and later organized a cavalry company, of which he was captain
until the close of the war.

Charles Edgar Pickett was graduated from the high school at Waterloo
with the class of 1884. His literary education was acquired at Iowa City, where
he was graduated in 1888 in liberal arts and from the law department of the
state university in 1890. He then located in Waterloo for the practice of law
and here has remained continuously to the present time, ranking among the
foremost members of the bar. He has also been prominently identified for
many years with the business interests of the city and is connected with many
of its leading institutions, among which is the Leavitt & Johnson National Bank,
of which he is vice president, and the Farmers Loan & Trust Company, of
which he is a director. Being active in promoting the progress of the city, he
has served as a director of the Chamber of Commerce since its organization.

In politics Mr. Pickett has been a lifelong republican, having a place in the
party's counsels by inheritance, as Captain Pickett did much to shape the early
policies of republican Iowa. In 1899 Mr. Pickett was chosen temporary chair-
man of the republican state convention and the papers of Iowa at once accorded
him a place among the state's great orators. In the years following he cam-
paigned in many of the northern states and in 1908 was elected to congress from
the third Iowa district. He served for four years in the national house of
representatives, early taking his place among the forceful men of that body
and soon establishing a reputation as a resourceful debater. He was the author
of the national conservation bill and was connected with other important con-
structive legislation. Among the speeches which he made that attracted wide-
spread interest were those on the Lincoln Memorial, Conservation Bills, Cana-
dian Reciprocity and Recall of Judges. As indicated he is today an orator of
nation-wide reputation and he has on various occasions delivered addresses in
many of the leading cities of the United States. He addressed the Grant Club
of Des Moines on the 27th of April, 1903 ; the Gridley Club of Ionia, Michigan,
on the 29th of January, 1910; the Lincoln Club of Brooklyn on the 12th of
February, 1912; the Union League Club of Baltimore on the 12th of February,
1913; and was the speaker on the occasion of the Grant Anniversary at Galena,
Illinois, April 27, 1914. He has delivered memorial addresses in Duluth, St.
Paul, Dallas, Texas, IndianapoHs, Cincinnati, Louisville, Baltimore, Washing-
ton, D. C, and many other cities.

In educational matters in Iowa Mr. Pickett has taken a keen interest, having
served for thirteen years as regent of the state university. In fraternal organ-
izations he has been active, holding the position of grand chancellor of the
Knights of Pythias of Iowa in 1894-5 and grand exalted ruler of the Benevo-
lent Protective Order of Elks in 1901-2.

Mr. Pickett was married June 17, 1902, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Miss
India Parmley Ryan, a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. R. Ryan. Their children
are India, Edgar Ballard and Charles Joseph. Mr. Pickett attends the Con-
gregational church and his influence is always on the side of progress, advance-
ment and improvement. The public has been either a direct or indirect bene-
ficiary of his efl:'orts throughout the period of his manhood. He has done much

Vol. 11—15

276 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

in planmrg for his city's development and progress along business lines and in
the iinprov£ment of civic conditions. He now devotes his attention largely to
his law practice in Waterloo, where his ability has brought him to a foremost
rank among Iowa's able members of the bar.

CHARLES M. DU MOND.

Charles M. Du Mond is the president and manager of the Du Mond Manu-
facturing Company of Cedar Falls, one of the important industrial firms of
Black Flawk county, manufacturing a vacuum washing machine of his own
invention. His birth occurred on a farm in this county, his parents being
Eugene and Maggie E. (Burke) Du Mond, the former a native of Ohio and
the latter of Indiana. Joel Burke, the maternal grandfather, came to this state
from Indiana in 1868, locating on a farm at Finchford, Black Hawk county.
He has remained a resident of this county throughout the intervening forty-six
years and now makes his home in Waterloo. Eugene Du Mond was brought to
Iowa by his parents in 1861, when but four years of age. His father, Andrew
J. Du Mond, first located in Clarinda, Page county, and at the end of about two
years came to Black Hawk county. Some time later, however, he purchased a
farm just across the line in Butler county and on this property he spent the
remainder of his life. In early life Eugene Du Mond was identified with farm-
ing and with land speculation, but in subsequent years he was employed as a
commercial salesman, representing the Rex Stock Food Company of Omaha,
Nebraska. He is now a valued representative of the Du Mond ^Manufacturing
Company.

Charles M. Du Mond acquired his early education in the district school and
subsequently pursued a course of study in the Waterloo Business College. He
then secured a position as commercial salesman for the Parsons music house of
Waterloo and engaged in selling pianos for about two years, on the expiration
of which period he entered the service of the Wagner Manufacturing Company
of Cedar Falls, manufacturers of hardware specialties. This firm he represented
on the road for about one year, subsequently becoming identified with his father
in the land business. In 1909 he entered his present field of activity as an employe
of the Barlow & Seelig Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of washing
machines at Ripon. Wisconsin. He represented this concern on the road for
about four years and during that period thoroughly familiarized himself with
the workings of the washing machine and invented the machine which he now
manufactures. On the ist of May, 191 3, he organized the Du Mond Manu-
facturing Company, of which he was made president and manager and which
was incorporated under the laws of Iowa with a capital stock of twenty thou-
sand dollars. Remarkable success has attended the enterprise from its inception
and the company is now shipping its product into some twenty different states.
Mr. Du Mond and his associates secured as a factory the old Monarch self-
feeder plant, a three-story, commodious stone structure. They manufacture
hand-power, gas-power and electric-power machines, and theirs are among the
most modern and efficient machines now on the market. Mr. Du Mond recentlv

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 277

closed a contract with an Omaha house for a carload of machines and expects
to ship the firm a carload each month, the machine having- been designed by him
for their especial trade. It will thus be seen that the business is constantly
expanding under his able direction, and his record is indeed worthy of com-
mendation, for success has come to him as the reward of his own efforts, perse-
verance and ability.

In 1906 Air. Du j\Iond was united in marriage to Miss Bertha McBride, of
Shell Rock, Butler county, Iowa, by whom he has two children, Ray and Evelyn.
He belongs to the Cedar Falls Commercial Club and is also a member of the Chris-
tian church, which his wife attends, though the latter adheres to the Methodist
belief. They are highly esteemed throughout the community and the hospitality
of the best homes is cordially extended them.

HENRY JOHNSON.

As president of the Johnson & Wyth Company of Cedar Falls, Iowa, who
conduct a large hardware, plumbing and heating business, Henry Johnson is an
important factor in commercial circles of that city. He was born in Denmark
in 1837 and in 1862 emigrated to America, settling in Chicago. In 1863 he en-
listed in the Seventy-fifth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry for service
in the Civil war and remained with the regiment until the conclusion of peace,
being mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, in 1865. He returned to Chicago,
where he entered the grocery business, in which connection he remained until
1870. He then sold out his interests there and came to Cedar Falls, establishing
a grocery store on Main street which he conducted for a year. After selling
that store he located upon his two hundred and twenty-acre farm four and one-
half miles from Cedar Falls and for seven years concentrated his energies upon
farm work. He then rented his land and came again to Cedar Falls, establishing
a drug and grocery business which he conducted for eighteen years. At the end
of that time he engaged in the hardware, plumbing and heating business and
has since remained active in that line. He is the executive head of the Johnson
& Wyth Company and much of the success of that concern has been due to his
knowledge of business conditions, his foresight and financial acumen. The
business of the company has grown steadily and promises to continue to do so
as the goods carried are of the highest quality, while the prices are reasonable.
Mr. Johnson is a director of the First National Bank of Cedar Falls and owns
stock in a number of manufacturing concerns of this city. He also owns con-
siderable residence property in Cedar Falls from which he derives a gratifying
addition to his annual income.

Mr. Johnson was married in Chicago, in 1868, to Miss Louisa Frandsen, a
native of Denmark. Of the children born to them three died in infancy, the
others being as follows : Harry, cashier of the First National Bank of Cedar
Falls; Louis, who is a partner in and treasurer of the Johnson & Wyth Com-
pany; Nettie, a graduate of the Cedar Falls high school, who is bookkeeper and
stenographer for that company ; Josie, the wife of W. A. Waterman, a resident
of Rockford, Illinois ; and Eva, who died when nineteen years of age.

278 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Mr. Johnson is independent in his poHtical views and was for thirteen years
a member of the school board. His family belong to the Protestant Episcopal
church and are helpful in its work. He is a Knights Templar Mason and also
belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Danish Brotherhood
of America. He has never regretted coming to this country as he has risen to
a position of prominence through utilizing the opportunities that he found here.
He is thoroughly American in spirit and is one of the valued citizens of his
adopted city.

W. O. FOSTER.

W. O. Foster, conducting business as a member of the Producers Milk Com-
pany, with offices at No. 119 East Eighth street ni Waterloo, was born in Aigona,
Iowa, in 1886, a son of James A. Foster, now a retired merchant of Burt, Iowa.
The son acquired a public-school education in Kossuth county, Iowa, passing
through consecutive grades until he became a high-school pupil. At the age of
twenty-three years he started out in the business world on his own account,
opening a cleaning and dyeing establishment, which he conducted for two years
He was afterward connected with a business similar to that in which he is now
engaged and ultimately he formed a partnership with his brother, Victor B.,
and organized the Producers Milk Company, which is now engaged in furnishing
milk for the wholesale and retail trades. The company was organized in April,
1914, and its capacity has been steadily increased until they now have one of
the most extensive enterprises of the kind in Waterloo. Their plant is equipped
with the most up-to-date machinery and their process is the latest method of
pasteurizing milk. Theirs is the most sanitary plant of the kind in Waterloo
and the milk v/hich they handle is all bottled, keeping it free from dust and
other contaminating influences. The brothers conducted the business alone
until October 21, 1914, when they merged their interests with those of the W. S.
Bishop dairy and Mr. Bishop is now vice president of the company with \\\ O.
Foster as president, treasurer and manager, and Victor B. Foster as secretary.

In his political views W. O. Foster is a republican and keeps well informed
on the questions and issues of the day and is ever ready to support his position
by intelligent argument. He is a Mason, holding membership in the lodge, to
the teachings of which he is loyal, recognizing the value of its beneficent purposes.

J. B. HIGHLAND.

The industrial activity of Waterloo finds a well known and worthy repre-
sentative in J. B. Highland, who is superintendent of the Waterloo Gasoline
Engine Company and as such is active in directing one of the important indus-
trial enterprises of the city. He has made for himself a creditable name and
place during the twelve years of his residence in AA^aterloo. He is an lowan by
birth, training and preference, for he was born in Marion county in 1881 and

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 279

remained there through the period of his boyhood and youth, acquiring his edu-
cation in the public schools. On attaining man's estate he left his native county
and made his way to Waterloo, where he entered the eniploy of the old Hackett
& Daily Creamery Supply Company, remaining with them and their successors,
the Iowa Dairy Separator Company, for six years. Subsequently he was with
the Peerless Cream Separator Company for two years. He was also for two
years again with the Iowa Dairy Separator Company and in May, 1910, he
entered the service of the W^aterloo Gasoline Engine Company, of which he was
made shop foreman, continuing in that capacity until September, 1912, when he
was advanced to the position of superintendent of the plant, m which connec-
tion he is now giving his attention to the management of the plant and those
who work therein. His practical experience and broad knowledge Avell qualify
him to carry on the work which is intrusted to him.

In 1904 Mr. Highland married Miss Rosa L. Albert, of Waterloo, and they
have become the parents of three children, Wilson, Paul and Lillian. Mrs.
Highland is a granddaughter of Jacob W. Leeper, who was one of the pioneer
settlers of Black Haw^k county, arriving here about 1850. Mr. Highland is a
member of the Walnut Street Baptist church and his has been a well spent,
active and useful life, bringing to him a measure of success that is gratifying
for one of his years.

F. A. CARSON.

F. A. Carson is superintendent of the Prudential Insurance Company for
W'aterloo and this district and has his offices in the First National Bank building.
He is a native of Hamilton county, Indiana, and a son of D. A. Carson, well
known as one of the oldtime contractors and house builders of Nobles ville,
Indiana, where he has conducted business for thirty years. His wife is also
living. In their family were two children, the daughter, Anna, being now the
wife of George Gibble, who resides on a farm near Noblesville, Indiana. No
deaths have occurred in the family since F. A. Carson was bom.

The last named is indebted to the public-school system of his native state for
the educational privileges which he enjoyed. In early life he learned the car-
penter's trade with his father, who was a skilled workman and carefully and
wisely directed the labors of the son. During the winter months when building
operations were suspended he worked as a clerk in the stores and thus continued
until April, 1902, when he became agent for the Prudential Insurance Company
at Noblesville, Indiana. He had control of a municipal township surrounding
the city and after eighteen months he was promoted to the position of assistant
superintendent. In 1909 he was chosen as superintendent of the Waterloo dis-
trict, which mcludes the northern and eastern sections of Iowa. He opened up
this territory for the company, being its first representative in this part of the
state, and here he has since continued. He has one of the three district offices
in the state. The average business deposits of this office are about thirteen
thousand dollars per month, or about one hundred and fifty-six thousand dollars
annually. Mr. Carson has been located in Waterloo for six years and under his

280 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

supervision this district has become one of the leading districts in proportional
results in the United States and Canada. Mr. Carson devotes his undivided
attention to the interests of the Prudential Insurance Company, which handles
only life insurance.

In 1890 occurred the marriage of Mr. Carson and Miss Armilda E. Harrison,
a daughter of Nelson Harrison, of Noblesville, Indiana, who is a retired fai-mer.
In his family were five daughters and two sons, all of whom are yet living.
Mr. and Mrs. Carson have become the parents of two children : Myrlea A.,
born in 1908 ; and Wilbur A., in December, 1909. The family adheres to the
faith of the United Presbyterian church and Mr. Carson holds membership with
the Knights of Pythias of Waterloo and the Red Men and Haymakers of
Noblesville, Indiana. He has made steady progress since starting out in the
business world on his own account, his ability, energy and determination having
led him into important relations.

PETER W. KNIPP.

Peter W . Knipp, a representative and successful agriculturist of Cedar tovvn-
.ship, owns one hundred and eighty-two acres of land on section 34 in associa-
tion with his father, the property being known as the Miller Creek Stock Farm.
His birth occurred in Neunkirchen, Germany, on the 9th of September, 1872,
his parents being William and Anna M. (Schmitz) Knipp. who are also natives
of that place. The father, who followed farming in Germany, brought his
family to the United States and in 1881 located in Peru, Illinois. A short time
later he came to Black Hawk county, Iowa, cultivating rented land in Cedar
township for one year, on the expiration of which period he purchased a house
and lot in Washburn and there made his home until 1889. In that year the family
removed to Arkansas but after a brief period went to Troy Grove, Illinois, and
remained in that state for a time. Subsequently they returned to Washburn,
Iowa, where William Knipp erected a residence and worked on the section for
the old Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, now belonging to the Rock
Island Railway Company. At the end of fifteen years he severed his connection
with the corporation and rented a farm in Poyner township, Black Hawk county,
operating the place for four years. On the expiration of that period, in asso-
ciation with his son Peter, he purchased their present farm of one hundred and
eighty-two acres on section 34, Cedar township, which they improved and in
the operation of which they have been busily engaged to the present lime. Wil-
liam Knipp is now seventy-three years of age, while his wife has reached the
age of seventy-one, and both are well known and highly esteemed throughout
the community as people of genuine personal worth and upright, honorable lives.

Peter W. Knipp was a lad of eight years when he accompanied his parents
on their emigration to the new world and his education, begun in the schools of
Germany, was continued in this county. Subsequently he worked with his
father on the railroad for five years, and the interests of father and son have
always been identical. Peter W. Knipp purchased his present farm in connec-
tion with his father, though the property is in his own name. It has been known

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 281

as the Barnes Lake Poultry Farm but is now styled the Miller Creek "Stock
Farm. Mr. Knipp makes a specialty of thoroughbred Guernsey cattle, Duroc
Jersey hogs and Rhode Island Red chickens and in his undertakings as an agri-
culturist has won a most gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity.
He has taken particular interest in the growing of alfalfa. He is a stockholder
in the Gilbertville Dairy Association, operating a creamery at Gilbertville, and
was one of its directors several years.

On the 22d of May, 1900, Mr. Knipp was united in marriage to Miss Cather-
ine Amfahr, a daughter of William and Anna (Renter) Amfahr, the former a
native of Illinois and the latter of Germany. William Amfahr took up his abode
among the pioneer settlers of Eagle township, Black Hawk county, Iowa, and
there carried on farming continuously and successfully until the time of his
retirement in September, 191 3. He is now living retired in Jesup, Iowa, at the
age of fifty-seven years, but his wife passed away December 2, 1910. To Mr.
and Mrs. Knipp have been born five children, namely : William ; Annie ; Regina
and Christina, twins ; and Lawrence.

In his political views Mr. Knipp is a stanch democrat and at the present
time holds the office of justice of the peace in Cedar township, having made a
most commendable record in that capacity during the past four years. He has
also served as school director, and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart
champion. He belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters and is a devout com-
municant of the Catholic church. Mr. Knipp has been carried forward into
important relations with agricultural interests of his locality, and his personal
characteristics have gained him the lasting regard of those with whom he has
come in contact.

CLAUDE O. FIKE.

Claude O. Fike is engaged in the general real-estate business, handling city
I)roperty in Waterloo and farm lands in various sections of this country and in
Canada. He has secured a good clientage and the substantial and continued
growth of his busuiess is indicative of the enterprising methods which he fol-
lows. He was born in Black Hawk county, near Waterloo, June 30, 1890, a son
of Emanuel and Ella (Hill) Fike, who are also natives of this county and repre-
sentatives of early pioneer families. The father made farming his life work
and continued to engage actively in that pursuit until 1913, when he removed to
Waterloo, where he is now living practically retired, enjoying in well earned
rest the fruits of his former toil. To him and his wife were born five children
but they lost their eldest in infancy. The others are : Nira, the wife of George
Benedict, a farmer residing south of Waterloo ; Claude O., of this review ; Ethel,
the wife of Clarence Benedict, who is engaged in the vulcanizing business in
Waterloo ; and Gladys, at home.

Reared upon the old homestead farm, Claude O. Fike divided his time be-
tween the work of the fields and attendance at the country schools. He con-
tinued to assist his father until nineteen years of age, after which he spent a
year in travel in the western states. At the age of twenty-one he began farming

282 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

on his own account in Black Hawk county and devoted the succeeding two years
to that pursuit, at the end of which time he became a member of the firm of
Marshall & Fike, now engaged in the general real-estate business in Waterloo.
They handle their own property and also real estate belonging to others and
operate in Iowa and other western states and in Canada. They sell both farm
lands and city property and have negotiated a number of important realty trans-
fers in Waterloo. Mr. Fike has made a close study of the business and is well
acquainted with the property upon the market. He has been able to assist many
clients in making judicious investments and profitable sales and his own success
has accrued therefrom.

On the 1st of January, 191 1, Mr. Fike was united in marriage to Miss Eliza-
beth Marshall, a native of Waterloo and a daughter of George and Efifie (Mc-
Dowell) Marshall, both of whom were born in Waterloo, in Avhich city the
father engaged for many years in the grocery business. He also spent a num-
ber of years as a traveling salesman and in early life he devoted his attention to
farming. In 1912 he turned his attention to the real-estate business and in
1913 was joined by Mr. Fike in the present partnership, under the firm style of
Marshall & Fike. To Mr. and Mrs. Fike has been born a daughter, Elinore
Denile, whose birth occurred January 20, 1912. The parents are well known
in Waterloo, having practically spent their entire lives in Black Hawk county,
and the hospitality of many of the best homes of the city is freely accorded
them. Mr. Fike gives his political allegiance to the republican party but the
honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as he has
always preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business afifairs, and what
he has undertaken has brought to him a substantial measure of success.

W. H. BURK.

W. H. Burk is the auditor and treasurer of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls &
Northern Railroad. He came to this city in January, 1910, to enter upon his
present connection and his service has been highly satisfactory to those whom
he represents. He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in November, 1873, and
was educated in the schools there.

Mr. Burk entered the employ of the St. Paul & Duluth Railroad Company,
now a part of the Northern Pacific system, and was with that road for three
years. For a time he was assistant cashier of the freight department. After-
ward he was appointed agent of the Canada Atlantic Railway and still later
was made northwestern agent of the Canada Atlantic Transit Company, with
which he remained for eight years, during which period he worked his way
upward to a position of importance and responsibility. He afterward became
commercial agent for the Chicago Great Western Railway and was located at
Minneapolis for five months, at the end of which time he was sent to Boston,
Massachusetts, acting as New England agent for the road and continuing at
that point for a year and a half. He was next sent to New York city as gen-
eral eastern agent, which position he resigned to become the auditor and treas-
urer of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Railroad. Each change that he

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 283

has made has been one of advancement. He is president of the Cedar Valley
Construction Company and is a director of the Iowa Real Estate & Investment
Company in addition to his connection with railway interests.

In September, 1908, Mr. Biirk was married to Miss Zathoe Cass, a daughter
of L. S. Cass, president of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Railroad Com-
pany. They have become the parents of three children, Louis Stephen Cass,
Richard Jamar and Elizabeth Mary.

Mr. Burk and his family are members of the Sacred Heart church and he
holds membership with the Knights of Columbus and with the Catholic Club of
New York. He is also a member of the New York Athletic Club, while in
Waterloo he is a member of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade, and
also of the Town Criers Club. Much of his life has been spent in the middle
west and he is imbued with the spirit of enterprise and progress which has led
to the rapid development and upbuilding of this section of the country.

LOUIS E. RICE.

Louis E. Rice is the president of the Rice & Dayton Manufacturing Com-
pany, Incorporated, of Cedar Falls, and as such occupies a leading position in
business circles of the town. He was born in Independence, Iowa, on the 3d of
April, 1875, a son of Henry P. and Lavina E. (Grout) Rice. The father was a
native of the state of New York and was but seven years of age when he came
to Iowa with his father, Henry Rice, Sr., who located on a farm in Black Hawk
county which he entered from the government. This was in the year 1852. He
at once began to break the sod and turn the furrows in the development of the
fields and in time made his one of the valuable farms of the district. The town
of Raymond is now situated thereon. Henry P. Rice, Jr., was reared upon that
place and at the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted for active service with the
Union army, with which he remained until the close of hostilities. He then
returned home and soon afterward was married in Independence. Through
the succeeding fifteen years he lived upon a farm near Independence and in
1 89 1 he returned to Black Hawk county, purchasing a tract of land in Union
township, seven miles northwest of Cedar Falls, where he still resides, being
numbered among the well-to-do and highly respected farmers of that locality.

In the acquirement of his education Louis E. Rice attended both the district
schools and the city schools of Independence and when about sixteen years of
age he entered upon an apprenticeship at the gunsmith's trade. In 1891 he
came to Cedar Falls and opened a small shop for the sale of bicycles and general
repair work, his tools consisting of little more than a screwdriver and a monkey
wrench. He developed this small business up to a point where he had one of
the finest sporting goods stores in this section of the state. About 1905 G. R.
Dayton was admitted to a partnership under the firm name of Rice & Dayton.
They continued the business until 1908 and then sold their stock of sporting
goods in order to engage in the manufacture of vulcanizers and other auto
specialties. Again they started out on a small scale but their business developed
rapidly and they gradually drifted into the wholesale field, handling automobile

284 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

supplies, tools and electrical specialties. In January, 191 1, the company was
incorporated under the laws of Iowa and immediately following their incorpora-
tion they began the erection of their modern business building, which is sixty-
four by one hundred feet. They occupy two floors of this building and have a
welding department in a separate building. The plant is adequate to supply and
equip any garage with a complete workshop and outfit. Their business has be-
come one of the most important industrial plants of Black Hawk county.

In 1900 Air. Rice was united in marriage to Miss Mary Waugh, of Cedar
Falls. They are members of the Presbyterian church and are highly esteemed
wherever known. Mr. Rice deserves much credit for what he has accomplished.
He has embraced opportunities which others have passed heedlessly by and as
the years have gone on he has made a creditable record, not only on account of
his success but also owing to the straightforward business policy he has ever
followed.

RJCHARD LEE.

Richard Lee, optometrist and jeweler of Waterloo, has ever held to high
business standards and each forward step in his career has brought him a
broader outlook and wider opportunities. He was born in Davis county, Iowa,
in 1862, a son of Joseph K. and Sarah Lee, who about 1865 left Davis county
and went to Des Moines, Iowa, where the father conducted what was known as
the old Skinner Plow & Implement Factory for a number of years. At the end
of that period he purchased a farm near the city of Des Moines and continued
its cultivation until his retirement from active business. At length, having
acquired a handsome competence as a result of his industry, determination and
capable management, he retired from active business and took up his abode in
Madrid, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days, the father
passing away at the age of eighty-six years and the mother at the age of eighty.
In their family were fourteen children, of whom four have passed away.

Richard Lee acquired his education largely in the schools of Polk county,
Iowa, and later pursued a special course in business college and afterward at-
tended an optical college in Chicago, from which he was graduated in the class
of 1897. He remained at home until sixteen years of age, after which he earned
his own living and also paid his way through school. About the time he attained
his majority he took up watchmaking and engraving with E. C. Pike, of Boone,
Iowa. This was his first experience in connection with the jeweler's trade.
After a short time he embarked in business on his own account at Madrid, Iowa,
where he remained for two years. He next removed to Sioux City, where he
conducted a watchmaking and general repair work business for two years. At
the end of that time he went to Grafton, North Dakota, and afterward estab-
lished his home m Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he made a specialty of
optical work, receiving a large patronage from the residents of Sioux Falls and
the surrounding country. After five years he removed to Sioux City, Iowa,
and for a brief period was connected with the C. N. Clark Jewelry Company.
Still later he conducted an optical business on his own account in Sioux City,

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 285

drawing his trade from a wide territory, and in 1896 he came to Waterloo,
opening a store on Fourth street. There he remained until 191 1, when he re-
moved to Fifth street, opening the first jewelry store on that thoroughfare.

Mr. Lee conducts a general jewelry business, doing manufacturing and repair
work and carrying one of the most complete stocks of jewelry handled in this
city, including diamonds, watches, jewelry of all kinds, cut glass and optical
goods. His establishment is most attractive by reason of the large stock and
its tasteful arrangement. Every efifort is put forth to please customers and the
business methods of the house are such as will bear the closest investigation and
scrutinv. Mr. Lee also does a wholesale business in selling material to other
jewelers of Waterloo and throughout the state. He is likewise an expert en-
graver. His business enterprise has prompted his connection with other interests
and he is now a stockholder in the Phillesola banana plantation of Mexico and
has stock in the Waverly Brewery. He also owns mining stock in two copper
mines in Montana and Idaho. His investments have been judiciously made and
success in considerable measure has attended his efforts.

In 1887 Mr. Lee was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Page, a native of
Canada but born of English parentage. Her father, mother and other relatives
still live at St. Thomas, Canada, and in that section of the country. Mr. and
Mrs. Lee have become parents of a son, Faye Cecil, who was born in 1892. He
attended the high school at Waterloo, is a graduate of the Waterloo College of
Commerce of the class of 1910 and is now following his father's line of business.
He has made a study of optometry as a profession and has gained notable skill
in optical work. He married Miss Frances Rittler, a native of Iowa and a
daughter of H. W. and Lettie Rittler. They were married in 1912 and now
reside at Faith, South Dakota.

Mr. Lee is a very prominent Mason. He has become a Knight Templar of
the York Rite and is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise connected
with the Knights of Pythias and with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
The record which the American citizen holds in highest honor is that of a self-
made man. Such is the life history of Richard Lee, who at the age of sixteen
years started out upon his own account and has advanced steadily step by step,
his determination and even paced energy carrying him into important relations.
He has never overestimated his own capacities and powers nor overvalued his
opportunities; on the contrary his judgment is sound and through well formu-
lated plans carried carefully forward to successful completion he has gained for
himself the prominent position which he now occupies as a business man of
Waterloo.

H. W. FLINT.

H. W. Flint is a leading commercial and portrait photographer of Waterloo.
He has mastered all of the intricacies of the art and the excellence of his work
insures to him a liberal patronage. He was born in Chatham, Ontario, Canada,
on the 4th of April, 1879, ^ son of William and Rose (Clift) Flint, both of
whom were natives of England, in which country they were reared. It was

286 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

after they crossed the Atlantic to Canada, however, that they were married, the
wedding being celebrated in Chatham. There the father engaged in the tailor-
ing business until 1888, when he crossed the border into the United States and
made his way to Eagle Grove, Iowa. Subsequently he removed to Ames, where
he now resides, and he is still actively engaged in the tailoring business, to which
he has devoted his entire life.

H. W. Flint spent the first nine years of his life in his native country and
then accompanied his parents to this state. His education was largely acquired
in the Des Moines and Eagle Grove public schools and in Bowen's Business
College of Des Moines. Following the completion of his course he took up the
study of photography in the gallery of Tom James, of Des Moines, with whom
he remained for three years, becoming familiar with all the mechanical processes
connected with the business and largely developing his artistic skill and dis-
crimination. He next entered the gallery of T. W. Townsend of Iowa City,
with whom he also continued for three years, and in 1902 he came to Waterloo,
where he opened a studio in the old Phelps building. In 1908 he removed to the
Bunt building at the corner of ^^'est Park avenue and Commercial street, where
he now occupies a commodious and pleasant suite of rooms. His studio is
splendidly equipped in every particular and he has always kept in touch with
the most advanced scientific methods and processes of photography and at the
same time he is a close student of those artistic phases of the business which
find expression in effects of pose, light and shade. His work is indeed artistic
and his business is growing year by year.

Mr. Flint was married in Iowa City in 1901 to Miss Clara M. Tanner, of
Iowa City, a daughter of Frank Tanner, former postmaster of Iowa City and
one of the prominent business men there. Mr. and Mrs. Flint have become
parents of a daughter, Alene T. Mr. Flint belongs to Waterloo Lodge, No.
290, B. P. O. E., and to Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P. In politics he is an
earnest republican and he and his wife are members of the Episcopal church,
in which he is serving as vestryman. His has been a well spent life and the
many sterling traits of his character have won for him the high regard and
confidence of all who know him. Because of the innate refinement of his nature
he rejects everything opposed to good taste and the high ideals which he cherishes
in his business and in citizenship find embodiment in practical effort for their
adoption.

DR. S. BRUCE GALLOWAY.

Dr. S. Bruce Galloway, who for three years has engaged in the practice of
naprapathy in Waterloo, meeting with substantial and well deserved success, is
a native of Ringgold county. Iowa, born in 1888. His more specifically literary
education was acquired in Monmouth College at Monmouth, Illinois, and then
in preparation for a professional career he entered the Chicago College of
Naprapathy, where he pursued the regular course. He also took post-graduate
work in the National College of Medicine in Chicago in 1912. Immediately
after preparing for the profession he located in Waterloo, where he has since

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 287

engaged in the practice of naprapathy, which deals with the treatment of the
nerves and ligaments of the body. He has a comprehensive knowledge of
anatomy and the component parts of the human body and is thus able by scien-
tific methods to so treat his patients that splendid results are achieved. He is
now president of the Waterloo Drug Company and he is regarded as one of
the alert and progressive young professional men of the city. He is most care-
ful and conscientious in the performance of his professional duties and by
reason thereof has built up an extensive and well deserved practice. He has
also become well known socially during the three years of his residence in the
city and has gained the warm friendship of many with whom he has been
brought in contact.

ARTHUR E. BICKNELL.

In musical circles of Cedar Falls the name of Arthur E. Bicknell figures
prominently, for he is well known as a teacher and also as proprietor of a music
store, dealing in pianos, players and other merchandise of that character. He
was born in Lewiston, Maine, June 3, 1863, and is a son of Samuel F. and
Elizabeth (Burnham) Bicknell, both of whom have now passed away. The
father was engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business, spending the
greater part of his life in Salem, Massachusetts, where he removed at an early
day. Neither he nor his wife ever came to the west to reside.

Reared in Salem, Massachusetts, Arthur E. Bicknell attended the public
schools and remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority.
Attracted by the opportunities offered to young men in the growing west, he
then left New England and, severing home ties, made his way to Iowa, arriving
in Cedar Falls m 1889. Since then he has figured prominently in musical circles
in this city. He has engaged in teaching music, to which he still devotes part
of his time, and he is conducting a growing and profitable business as a dealer
in pianos, players and other musical instruments. He is likewise the owner of
valuable farm lands, devoting a portion of his time to the management of his
real-estate holdings. He is also a stockholder in the Wagner Manufacturing
Company and thus has become an important factor in commercial and agri-
cultural circles in his section of the county.

On the 2 1st of October, 1891, Mr. Bicknell was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Elizabeth Van Tilburg, who was born near Finchford, Butler county,
Iowa, a daughter of Flarvey H. and INIargaret (McCarty) Van Tilburg, who
were natives of Pennsylvania and came to Iowa at an early period in its de-
velopment. They first settled at Cedar Falls and afterward removed to a farm,
becoming residents of Butler county. Later they again took up their abode in
Cedar Falls, where the father now resides, living retired. The mother, however,
has passed away. He served as a soldier of the Civil war and is now one of
the honored Union veterans. Mrs. Bicknell was one of a family of six children
and acquired her education in the schools of Cedar Falls. Mr. Bicknell has one
child by a former marriage, Karl A., who was bom October 12, 1887, and is

288 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

now a resident of Charlotte, North CaroHna, where he is in charge of the dye
stuffs in a business of that character of extensive proportions.

Mr. Bicknell is a member of Black Hawk Lodge, No. 65, A. F. <^- A. M. ;
Valley Chapter, No. 20, R. A. AL ; Commandery No. 11, K. T.. of Cedar Falls,
Iowa; Iowa Consistory, No. 2; and El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.. of
Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In politics he is a republican with independent tendencies
but the honors and emoluments of office have little attraction for him as he has
always preferred to devote his attention to his business affairs and investments,
which have been carefuliy managed and have brought to him a gratifying return.

D. W. BO\'EE.

Industrial activity in Waterloo fmds a worthy representative in D. W. Bovee,
who is president and treasurer of the Bovee Furnace Company, which was in-
corporated in 1896. The secretary of the company is A. C. Bovee and the busi-
ness is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars. This is a close corporation
and there is a reserve fund of fifty thousand dollars. It was in the year 1894
that D. W'. Bovee, who is a native of Wisconsin, arrived in Waterloo and
through the intervening period to the present he has been actively and success-
fully connected with business affairs.

A year after his arrival in Waterloo he established his present business and
has won success from the beginning in the manufacture of hot air furnaces,
feed mills and other devices. The output finds favor with the public as is indi-
cated by the growing patronage. They employ about thirty people annually
and handle their output through retail dealers. The Bovee furnaces have a
national reputation and are shipped in large numbers into practically every
state in the Union. This is but one phase of ^Ir. Bovee's business enterprise
and indicates but one feature in the success whicli has made him one of the
prosperous residents of Waterloo. He has made extensive and judicious in-
vestments in real estate and now has about sixty lots in the business district of
the city together with a numljcr of residence properties, from which he derives
a substantial annual income.

In 1873 ^^^- Bovee was united in marriage to Miss Anna Palmer, of Wis-
consin, and they have become the parents of two children: Lulu, now the wife
of D. L. Morrow, of Waterloo ; and Helen, who is a senior in the high school.
The elder daughter was graduated from the West Waterloo high school and
then entered the Teachers College at Cedar Falls, in which she completed her
course, while later she was graduated from the Waterloo Business College.

Mr. Bovee is a member of the United Brethren church and is serving on
the official board. He takes an active interest in the work of the church, con-
tributes generously to its support and does all in his power to advance its
interests. He also has membership in the Chamber of Commerce and Waterloo
Club, of which he has been a member from its organization. His name is like-
wise on the membership roll of the Town Criers Club. In the years of his
residence in Waterloo he has become well known as a representative of that class
of enterprising, progressive citizens who are bringing about the substantial and

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 289

rapid upbuilding of the west. Early in his career he recognized the eternal
principle of industry and throughout his entire career his industry has been the
strong foundation upon which he has builded his prosperity. It also has been
well said that integrity is the cornerstone of his character.

E. B. FOSS.

E. B. Foss is proprietor of the Rural Home Stock Farm, situated on section
26, Big Creek township. He was born in Illinois in July, 1853, a son of B. V.
and Elizabeth (Gray) Foss, who were natives of New Hampshire and New
Brvinswick respectively. In early life the father went to Illinois, casting in his
lot with the pioneer settlers of that state, and again he became connected with
pioneer life when in 1855 he arrived in Black Hawk county, where he carried
on farming for three years. At the end of that time he returned to Illinois and
again engaged in farming in that state until 1871, when he once more came to
Black Hawk county. At that date he purchased land near La Porte City, in
Big Creek township, and at once began to improve and develop the place, con-
tinuing its cultivation until his death, which occurred in January, 1904. He
had survived his wife for almost a year, her death having occurred in February,
1903.

E. B. Foss spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Illinois and in Black
Hawk county, remaining with his parents until he attained his majority. He
was content to follow the occupation to which he had been reared and rented
land for four years, during which time he carefully saved his earnings, so that
he was able to purchase eighty acres in Big Creek township. This he at once
began to cultivate and further improve, remaining upon that farm until 1889,
when he sold out and bought two hundred acres on section 26, where he now
resides. To his holdings he added from time to time, thus extending the
boundaries of his farm until he now owns four hundred acres of fine land on
which are two sets of excellent farm buildings, all erected by him. He has
operated his farm in most systematic, practical and progressive manner, keeping
in touch with modern methods and using the latest improved machinery to
facilitate the work of the fields. In connection with the tilling of the soil he
engages in stock-raising, making a specialty of Duroc-Jersey hogs and shorthorn
cattle.

In February, 1876, Mr. Foss was united in marriage to Miss Ida P. Finch,
a daughter of Richard and Catherine (Pray) Finch, who were natives of Bath,
England, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was a car-
riage maker by trade, but after coming to Black Hawk county in 1867 turned
his attention to farming, which he followed for eight years. On the expiration
of that period he returned to the east and purchased a fruit farm in New Jersey
upon which he spent his remaining days. He died in April, 1890, while his wife
passed away in November, 1891. To Mr. and Mrs. Foss have been bom ten
children, as follows : Clyde E., who is a resident of Webster, South Dakota ;
Amy E., who passed away in April, 1914, leaving two children, Morris and
Evelyn, who now make their home with our subject; Delbert R., whose demise

290 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

occurred in July, 1881 ; Ray F., who died in September, 1898; Monte G., who
cultivates one hundred and eighty acres of his father's farm; and Glenn R.,
Floy E., Shelby W., Ralph R. and Alan B., all at home.

Mr, Foss exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures
of the republican party and has been called to some local offices. He served as
assessor of his township for a number of years and at the election of November,
1914, was chosen a trustee. He never falters in the performance of his political
duties and is actuated at all times by a desire to advance the public welfare.
His religious belief is that of the Methodist church and to its teachings he is
loyal, his life being in consistent harmony therewith.

RALPH B. SLIPPY.

Ralph B. Slippy, of Waterloo, who has attained high rank in the profession
of civil engineering, has also various other business interests and connections in
Black Hawk county. So extensive and important are his business affairs that his
efforts are counted as a tangible asset in the material upbuilding of the city. He
was bom at Reinbeck, Iowa, on the 21st of January, 1881, a son of William A.
and Minnie J. (Young) Slippy, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of
Iowa. In early life the father was a traveling salesman for a short time, but
afterward entered the mercantile business, to which he devoted the greater part of
his life until about 1906, when he became connected with insurance interests and
is now head bookkeeper for the Iowa Manufacturers Insurance Company of
Waterloo. While living in Reinbeck he served as mayor for one term and has
ever been a public-spirited citizen, interested in measures and movements for
the general good.

Ralph B. Slippy is the eldest of five living children in a family which numbered
twelve children. Among these he was the third in order of birth, but seven of the
number have passed away, leaving him the eldest survivor. He was graduated
from the Reinbeck high school with the class of 1898 and afterward entered
Cornell College, in which he completed his course by graduation with the class of
1903 with the degree of Bachelor of Civil Engineering. He won his professional
degree of Civil Engineering from that institution in 1905. He was seven-
teen years of age when he entered Cornell College, working his way through that
institution, his desire for and determination to secure an education being an
indication of the elemental strength of his character. He was engaged in survey-
ing during the summer of 1903 and in the fall of that year he became connected
with Armour Institute of Chicago, where he taught until February, 1904, when he
entered the employ of the Muscatine Water Power Company at Muscatine, Iowa,
with which he remained until April, 1904. He afterward engaged in the private
practice of his profession in Waterloo for a year and at the end of that time became
assistant engineer of the city of Waterloo, occupying that position until the fall
of 1906. Through the four succeeding years he was instructor in civil engineering
in the University of Illinois and he spent the summer vacation of 1907 as an
active representative of his profession in Georgia, while the other three vacations
during the period of his connection with the Illinois University were passed in

EALPH B. SLIPPY

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 293

Waterloo. He afterward became locating engineer for the Waterloo, Cedar Falls
& Northern Railroad Company, with which he continued until the spring of 191 1,
since which time he has engaged in the general practice of civil engineering in
Waterloo. In 1912 he also turned his attention to the automobile business which
he conducts under the name of the Interstate Motor Car Company. Extending
his efforts over a still wider field, he organized, in 1914, the Waverly Stone &
Gravel Company, of which he is the president and general manager, operating
a gravel pit and stone crusher at Waverly. His business interests, extensive and
varied, are of the utmost importance to the communities in which he operates,
for he is a man of determined purpose and carries forward to successful com-
pletion whatever he undertakes.

On the 23d of December, 1903, Mr. Slippy was united in marriage to Miss
Georgiana Vine Newton, who was born in La Porte City, Iowa, a daughter of
M. L. and Sophia (Berry) Newton, both of whom were natives of Illinois, born
near Freeport. They came to Iowa in the early "70s. settling in La Porte City,
where they were married. The father was a civil engineer and served in his
professional capacity at Waterloo and was also county surveyor of Black Hawk
county, while at the time of his death he was consulting engineer for the Waterloo,
Cedar Falls & Northern Railroad Company. He passed away in January, 191 1,
while his widow still resides in Waterloo. Mrs. Slippy is their only surviving
child.

Mr. Slippy belongs to Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M.. of which he
was the senior warden in 1914; Tabernacle Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M., of which
he was high priest in 191 3 ; and Crescent Council, No. 16, R. & S. M., of which he
was captain of the guard in 1914. His religious faith is indicated in his member-
ship in the Grace Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a republican, but
with independent tendencies, and has never been a politician in the sense of office
seeking. He served, however, as deputy county surveyor, as assistant city engi-
neer and is the present weather observer, taking on the duties of the latter position
voluntarily. He belongs to the Iowa Engineering Society and is serving on its
committee on roads and pavements. He has made continuous advancement in his
profession and along business lines and his worth, both as a business man and as
a citizen, is widely acknowledged. He is actuated by laudable ambition that
urges him on constantly toward greater efficiency and larger attainment.

ANTON BURGER.

Anton Burger is a member of the firm of A. Burger & Son. dealers in flour
and feed in Waterloo. He was born in the Rhine province of Germany on the
9th of March, 1866, his parents being Anton and Catherine (Gippert) Burger,
both of whom passed away in Germany. Through the period of his boyhood
days spent under the parental roof the son attended the public schools and on
reaching early manhood engaged in agency work. In 1885 he entered the Ger-
man army, in which he served for three years, and subsequently he engaged
in the insurance business in the Cologne district of Germany. He was identi-
fied with that business for eight years and then, hoping to find still broader

Vol. II— 16

294 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

business opportunities in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to the United
States and in 1897 took up his abode upon a farm near Jesup, Iowa. For about
a year and a half Air. Burger was employed as a farm hand and for the same
period worked as a clerk in a general store in Jubilee. Subsequently he engaged
in farming on his own account, cultivating rented land in Black Hawk and
Fayette counties for about ten years, during which time his financial resources
gradually increased as the result of his industry, enterprise and judicious expen-
diture. Having thus acquired a substantial capital, he bought the flour and
feed business of Knipp & Roth, of Waterloo, in 1910 and thus became a factor
in the business circles of this city. Through the intervening four years to the
present time he has become prominently known as a business man of Waterloo
and is at the head of an extensive trade in his line.

In 1887. in Cologne, Germany, Mr. Burger was united in marriage to Miss
Eva Pruemmer, and unto them have been born three children: Catherine, the
wife of Frank Manske, a resident of Waterloo ; John, who is his father's partner
in business under the firm name of A. Burger & Son; and Anna, who is still
attending school. The parents hold membership in the Catholic church, in which
faith they have reared their children.

Mr. Burger also belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles and his political
allegiance is given to the democratic party. He has never had occasion to
regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the
business opportunities which he sought and which, by the way, are always open
to ambitious, energetic young men. Gradually he has worked his way upward
and, although he started out in life in America practically empty-handed, he is
now at the head of a substantial and growing business, which is the visible evi-
dence of his life of thrift and industry.

GAYLORD R. DAYTON.

Gaylord R. Dayton is a well known and successful representative of business
interests in Cedar Falls as the vice president of the Rice & Dayton Manufactur-
ing Company, a concern with which he became identified in 1906. His birth
occurred in Martinsburg, Ohio, on the 13th of November, 1870, his parents be-
ing Martin N. and Sarah (Bowland) Dayton, the former a native of Danville,
Knox county, Ohio, and the latter of Knoxville, that state. Their marriage
was celebrated in the Buckeye state, where Alartin N. Dayton was for several
years engaged in merchandising at Martinsburg. On the ist of March. 1871,
he came west to Iowa, locating in Cedar Falls, where he purchased an interest
in the mill being operated by J. E. Rhodes, forming the Rhodes & Dayton Mill-
ing Company. Subsequently he was one of the organizers of the Waterloo &
Cedar Falls Union Alills Company and for years acted as its president. He con-
tinued his active participation in the conduct of the mill until the time of his
death, which occurred on the i8th of January, 1899, when he had attained the
age of sixty-five years. He enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of the fore-
most business men of Black Hawk county and it was largely through his capable
business management that the Waterloo S: Cedar Falls Milling Company became

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 295

one of the most successful industries in this section of the state. When he
associated himself with the enterprise it was freely predicted by his friends that
he would lose all his money, for it had previously been an unprofitable under-
taking. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and for several
years he served as a member of the Cedar Falls city council. Mrs. Dayton still
survives at the advanced age of eighty-four years and resides in the handsome
family residence on the corner of Sixth and Main streets in Cedar Falls. She is
a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, to which Mr. Dayton also be-
longed, and in the work of which he took a very active and helpful part, serving
for many years in the capacity of trustee.

Gaylord R. Dayton, brought to Cedar Falls in his infancy, was educated in
the high school of this city and in 1890 entered the service of the Rock Island
Railway Company. At the end of about a year, however, he went to Mankato,
Minnesota, where he was employed in a hardware store for fifteen months.
On the expiration of that period he returned to Cedar Falls and was here identi-
fied with his father in the milling business until the latter's death. Subsequently
his attention was given to the supervision of bis father's estate and in 1906 he
purchased an interest in the sporting goods business of L. E. Rice, forming the
firm of Rice & Dayton. In this connection he has won a gratifying and well
merited measure of success and has become recognized as one of the substantial,
enterprising and prosperous representatives of manufacturing interests in the
city. .

On the 26th of October, 1904. Mr. Dayton was united in marriage to Miss
Alta B. Simpson, of Cedar Falls, her father being C. T. Simpson, a building
contractor of this city. They now have one son, Martin N. Air. Dayton gives
his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is that
of the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs. Practically his
entire life has been spent in Cedar Falls and he has made many friends in both
Dusiness and social circles.

EDWIN T. JAYNES, M. D.

Dr. Edwin T. Jaynes has been engaged in practice as a physician and surgeon
of Waterloo since August, 1910, and is widely recognized as one of the fore-
most representatives of the profession in the city. His birth occurred in La-
monte, Missouri, on the 3d of December, 1869, his parents being Alfred T. and
Lorinda J. (Gregory) Jaynes, both of whom are deceased. In the acquirement
of his early education he attended the public schools and subsequently continued
his studies in the Presbyterian University of South Dakota, then located at
Pierre, which institution conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Science
in 1891.

In the fall of that year Dr. Jaynes began the study of medicine in Rush
Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of
1894. During the succeeding year he served as an interne in the Cook County
Hospital and then located for practice at New Hartford, Butler county, Iowa,
where he followed his profession continuously and successfully for thirteen

296 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Parkersburg, that county,
and was there engaged in practice for two years or until August, 1910, when he
came to Waterloo, which city has since remained the scene of his professional
labors and where he has built up an extensive and gratifying patronage. In
1905 he went to Europe for post-graduate work, pursuing special courses in
internal medicine and pathology at Vienna. He moreover keeps in close touch
with the progress of the profession through his membership in the Waterloo
City Medical Society, the Black Hawk County Medical Society, the Iowa State
Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

In May, 1906, Dr. Jaynes was united in marriage to Miss Mabelle Ferguson,
of New Hartford, Iowa, by whom he has three children, namely: Gertrude
Helene, \'ernon Hewitt and Eileen. Fraternally he is identified with Waterloo
Lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Pythian Lodge of the
Knights of Pythias and Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M., while both he
and his wife belong to the Order of the Eastern Star.

CHARLES H. PLUMMER.

In the death of Charles H. Plummer, Black Hawk county lost a valued and
representative citizen. He was filling the office of recorder of deeds and made
an excellent record in that connection. His public and private duties were dis-
charged with equal fidelity and promptness, and wherever known he was held
in high regard because of his many excellent traits of character.

Air. Plummer was a native of Michigan, his birth having occurred in Ontona-
gon in i860. His parents were Daniel and Pauline Plummer, who came to this
county after the Civil war, in which the father had served in the defense of
the Union, holding the rank of captain. After removing to this state the parents
Hved in Cedar Falls until 1894. The father had mining interests in Colorado
which required his presence in that state a part of the time. He retired some
years prior to his death and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of the
fruits of his former toil, passing away in Cedar Falls, where also occurred the
death of his wife. In their family were ten children, five of whom are yet living.

Charles H. Plummer was practically a lifelong resident of Black Hawk
county, being a little lad when brought to Iowa by his parents. His education
was acquired in the schools of this county, for he supplemented the work of
the grades by study in the high school and in the normal school at Cedar Falls.
Before his marriage he was identified for a number of years with the Yellow-
stone Park Transportation Company and later he was identified with Jiis father
in silver mining in Colorado. For ten years prior to his death he was inter-
ested in coal lands at Monida, Idaho, and while developing and looking after his
interests there he met with an accident which terminated his life ten years later.

The capability which he displayed in his business afl:'airs and his recognized
public spirit were the factors which led to his selection for public office. In
igo6 he was made the republican nominee for the office of recorder of Black
Hawk county and made such a creditable record that he was elected again and
again until he had been chosen for the office for the fourth term and was acting

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 297

in that capacity at the time of his demise. He also served as sergeant at arms
in the lower house of the state legislature in Colorado. He ever regarded a
public office as a public trust — and no trust reposed in Charles H. Plummer was
ever betrayed in the slightest degree.

In 1892 Mr. Plummer was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Eiler, a
native of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Phillip and Fredericka
Eiler, who came to Black Hawk county in 1868. Her father purchased land,
began its development and continued to follow farming until he retired from
active business life and took up his abode in Cedar Falls, where his remaining
days were passed. He developed and at one time owned two hundred and sixty
acres of rich and arable land near Cedar Falls, which he brought to a high state
of cultivation and to which he added many modern improvements in the way
of good buildings and farm machinery. His death occurred in 1883, while his
wife, surviving him for more than two decades, passed away in 1906. They
were the parents of six children, of whom three are yet living: George, who is
now a resident of Appleton City, Missouri; Daniel, living at Ackley, Iowa; and
Mrs. Plummer. Those who have passed away are Carrie, Louise and Phillip.

By his first marriage Charles H. Plummer had a son, Frank, who was born
in 1880. By the second marriage there were born two sons : Roger W., whose
birth occurred in 1899 and who is now attending the high school; and Daniel C,
who was born in 1904 and is a pupil in the public schools.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist Episcopal church
and excellent traits of character have won for them high regard. Mr. Plummer
was a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the American Yeomen. He
died in the year 1913, while filling the ofifiice of county recorder, and his wife
was appointed to fill out the unexpired term, in which position she continued
luitil the 1st of January, 191 5. Through the long years of his residence in this
county Mr. Plummer became widely known and his many substantial qualities
gained for him the high regard, confidence and goodwill of those with whom he
was brought in contact. In all of his business career he was never known to
take advantage of the necessities of another and in his dealings was strictly
fair and reliable. In office, too, he displayed the same spirit of fidelity and he
was numbered among those citizens who at departing this life have left behind
them an extensive circle of warm friends. He never sought to figure in any
spectacular connection, and his life was at all times guided by high and manly
principles, his course being one which at no time sought nor required disguise.

J. CECIL BICKLEY, M. D.

Dr. J- Cecil Bickley is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in
Waterloo, in which city his birth occurred in 1883, he being a son of the veteran
physician, John G. Bickley. Spending his youthful days under the parental
roof, he began his education at the usual age in the public schools and passed
through consecutive grades, advancing year by year until graduated from the
East Waterloo high school with the class of 1903. Whether inherited tendency,
natural predilection or environment had most to do with shaping his choice of a

298 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

career, it is impossible to determine, yet when we regard his success it seems
evident that nature intended him for the calling to which he is now devoting his
life.

Dr. Bickley's early professional training was received in Hahnemann Medical
College of Chicago, in which he was a student for two years and later he entered
the New York University Medical School, from which he was graduated with
the M. D. degree in 1907. He spent a year and a half in the New York Surgical
Institute, thus gaining broad knowledge, and, splendidly equipped for his pro-
fession, he returned to Waterloo and became associated in practice with his
father and brother. From the beginning his advancement in his professional career
has been substantial and rapid. He went abroad and attended various European
clinics, thus having opportunity to observe the advanced methods of some of
the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world. On returning he
resumed practice in W'aterloo and he is now attending physician to both of the
hospitals of this city, having considerable hospital work in addition to his gen-
eral practice. He is identified wath various medical organizations including the
Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Austin Flint, Cedar \'alley and Iowa State
Medical Societies.

In June, 1908, Dr. Bickley was united in marriage to Miss OHie French, of
Waterloo, and they have two children, John Wallace and Kathryne Evelyn. Dr.
Bickley is a member of the Christadelphian church of Waterloo. He is indeed
a well known citizen here, having spent his entire life in Black Hawk county
save for periods of study in the east and in Europe. There were qualities
which he displayed in boyhood which even then won him the friendship of the
old as well as the young, and throughout his entire life these qualities have
dominated his career, making him popular with his fellow townsmen, while his
professional success has come to him as the just reward of ability and merit.

JOHN LEMMER.

John Lemmer has been identified with milling interests in Cedar Falls
since August, 1880, and is now serving as superintendent of the mechanical
department of the Waterloo & Cedar Falls Union Mill Company, a position for
which ability and experience have well qualified him. He was born in Lee
county, Iowa, October 5, 1858, a son of John and Mary (Breiner) Lemmer,
the former a native of Bavaria, Germany, and the latter of Alsace, France. In
early life the father was a machinist. He came to America in the early '50s, set-
tling first in Chicago, whence a removal was made to Iowa, at which time he
took up his abode upon a farm in Lee county. After devoting a period to
farming he removed with his family to Keokuk and engaged in business in that
city until his death, which occurred in 1864. His widow survived him for an
extended period, passing away in 1888.

They were the parents of three children, of whom John Lemmer is the
eldest. He attended the schools of Keokuk and afterward was a student in a
parochial school at West Point, Iowa. On leaving the southern part of the
state in 1879, when twenty-one years of age, he went to Pottawattamie county,

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 299

Iowa. He had previously learned the miller's trade and for a brief period fol-
lowed that vocation in Pottawattamie county. He was afterward engaged in
the same business at Nora Springs, Iowa, where he continued until midwinter
of that year and then removed to Nashua. He followed milling in that place
and also at Fort Madison, Iowa, prior to coming to Cedar Falls in 1880. Here
he entered the employ of G. N. Miner in the milling business and remained with
him until he sold out to the Cedar Falls Mill Company, with which he was con-
nected until 1890. The business was then merged with the Cedar Falls Mill
Company and Mr. Lemmer remained in the employ of the latter organization
until 1901, when the Waterloo & Cedar Falls Union Mill Company was organ-
ized. He has continued with the last named to the present and is now occupying
the responsible position of superintendent of the mechanical department. He
thoroughly understands the latest and most improved methods of flour pro-
duction and keeps in touch with the advancement that is continually being made
in the process of manufacturing flour. He devotes his entire time to the inter-
ests of the company. He has also become a landowner in the states of South
Dakota and Oklahoma and his investments have been judiciously made.

On the 22d of April, 1884, Mr. Lemmer was united in marriage to Miss
Elizabeth Foecke, a native of Lee county, Iowa, and a daughter of Gerhardt and
Elizabeth (Sanders) Foecke, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Ger-
many. The father came to the new world when a young man, landing at New
Orleans and making his way up the Mississippi river to Galena, Illinois, from
which point he walked to southern Iowa, at which time there was but one log
house in what is now Cedar Rapids. He became a landowner and spent his
remaining days in Lee county. He was married in this state and always fol-
lowed farming as a life work. He died in the year 1894, while his wife sur-
vived until 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Lemmer have become the parents of five chil-
dren: Mary Frances; John G., who is employed by the International Harvester
Company; Lizzie, who is in the employ of the Cedar Falls National Bank; Carl,
who is with the Bancroft Greenhouse Company; and Robert G., who is with
the Chapman Lumber Company of Waterloo.

Mr. Lemmer holds membership in the Roman Catholic church and in that
faith has reared his family. Fle is well known in Cedar Falls, where for more
than a third of a century he has made his home, his activities winning him recog-
nition as one of the leading representatives of industrial interests in his city.

H. B. LICHTY.

Waterloo owes much to the efforts of H. B. Lichty, who has various con-
nections with important business concerns of the city, being president of the
Waterloo Cement Machinery Corporation and president of the Black Hawk
Manufacturing Company. His plans are ever well formulated and carefully
executed and his energy and determination have carried him into important
relations. W^aterloo numbers him among her native sons. His father, Lewis
Lichty, came to this city about 1864 or 1865 and was prominently identified with
business interests here. He was also mayor of the city for a number of years

300 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

and thus aided in shaping the public poHcy. Said one who knew him well.
"His word was as good as his bond; he was the soul of honor and the better
one knew him, the greater the respect and the warmer the friendship."

H. B. Lichty was reared and educated in Waterloo and also was for some
time a student in the State University of Iowa. He made his initial step in the
business world in connection with the real-estate and abstract business and is
still a member of the Sedgwick-Lichty Abstract Company of W^aterloo. He
laid out the Highland addition to the city under the name of the Highland
Improvement Company, which he organized, and through his real-estate activi-
ties has contributed much to the development and improvement of the city.
He is now concentrating his efforts largely upon the management and interests
of the Waterloo Cement Machinery Corporation and the Black Hawk Manu-
facturing Company. The former was organized and incorporated in January.
1909, with an authorized capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. Something
of the steady and substantial growth of the business is indicated in the fact
that the authorized capital stock at the present time is two hundred thousand
dollars, of which one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars has been paid
up, and the business for 1914 was fifteen times that of 1909. This company
was organized by Mr. Lichty, who still remains as president, with L. H. Weide-
man vice president, L. A. Kliebenstein as secretary and S. J. Hall as treasurer.
The principal product of the plant is c^oncrete mixers and they also manufacture
builders' hoist and material elevators. Their factory is at the corner of A-inton
and Glenwood streets and they have in their employ about one hundred men,
while throughout the United States they are represented by many local agents'
The business has grown along substantial lines and has now reached extensive
and gratifying proportions, the annual sale of the output bringing to them a very
desirable financial return.

In 1893 Mr. Lichty was united in marriage to Miss Annie M. Buren, of
Missouri, and they have one son, Wilbur Lewis. Mr. Lichty holds membership
with the Masonic fraternity, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the
Commercial Club and Board of Trade. He has many sterling qualities which
have won for him high regard. His life record is an indication of the fact
that the sources of our power lie within ourselves. His ability and business
talent have developed with the passing years and he is today one of those who
IS ready to meet any emergency with the consciousness of personal strength
that comes from a right conception of things and an habitual regard for what
is best in the exercise of human activities.

FRANK T. HARTMAN, M. D.

Dr. Frank T. Hartman, one of the leading physicians of Waterloo con-
scientious in the performance of all his professional duties and splendidly
equipped by preliminary study and wide reading for the onerous work which
devolves upon him, was born in Jones county, Iowa, in 1870. and in the acquire-
ment of his education supplemented a district school course by study in the
Upper Iowa University and in a commercial college. Desiring to become a

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 301

member of the medical profession, he entered the Rush Medical College of
Chicago, wherein he completed his course with the class of 1897. Removing
to southern Texas, he spent one year in that state and then came to Waterloo,
where he has since practiced. Ambitious to attain the highest degree of efficiency
in his chosen life work, he has attended the New York Post-Graduate College
and has also by wide reading and investigation added largely to his knowledge.
In the summer of 1914 he went abroad and had unusual experiences, being in
Berlin when the war broke out. He witnessed the mobilization of the German
army, having the opportunity of seeing all of the head officers of the army and
navy and many representatives of the nobility. He reports, too, that he was
treated with every courtesy by the German government and people and had few
discomforts in making his way out of the country in preparation for the return
voyage to America.

In 1904 Dr. Hartman was united in marriage to Miss Effie E. MacMillan, of
Des Moines, Iowa. They hold membership in the Grace Methodist Episcopal
church and Dr. Hartman is also a member of the Young Men's Christian Asso-
ciation. They are well known socially and the hospitality of Waterloo's best
homes is cordially extended them. Dr. Hartman is actively connected with two
fraternities, the Masons and with Helmet Lodge, K. P., while along strictly
professional lines his membership is in the Waterloo Medical Society, the Black
Hawk County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society, the American
Medical Association and the Clinical Congress of Surgeons of North America.
Thus he keeps in touch with the most advanced thought of the profession and
in his practice employs modern scientific methods.

HARRY B. TURNIPSEED.

Harry B. Turnipseed, an attorney at law practicing at Cedar Falls as a
member of the firm of Martin & Turnipseed, is a worthy representative of that
profession to which property, life and liberty .must look for protection. He is
well versed in the science of jurisprudence and. with ability to accurately apply
its principles, he has made for himself a creditable name in professional circles,
while his devotion to his clients' interests has become proverbial. He was born
in Wellman, Washington county, Iowa, on the 4th of June, 1888, a son of Isaac
N. and Mary Belle (McBride) Turnipseed, both of whom were natives of
Jowa, the former born in Washington county and the latter in Keokuk county.
The father spent his active life in the mercantile business, opening one of the
iirst stores in Wellman, after which he was closely identified with the commercial
interests of that town for thirty years. He still resides there but is now living
retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.

Harry B. Turnipseed began his education in the public schools of his native
town and passed through consecutive grades until he reached the high school.
Later he attended the University of Iowa during the years from 1905 to 1910
and by gaining a liberal education became well qualified for life's practical and
responsible duties. He was engaged in teaching for five years and it was during
that time that he devoted the vacation periods to work in the liberal arts college

302 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

in the Iowa State University, completing in that manner what was practically
a three years' course. While engaged in teaching he served as principal of the
schools of Orchard, Iowa, for a time and later was made superintendent of the
schools at Keswick, Iowa, while still later he was school superintendent at Ute,
Iowa. In 1910 he returned to the state university and entered upon his law
course, being graduated from the law department with the class of 191 3, at
which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. While engaged in pur-
suing his law studies in 1912 and 1913 he was president of the Resh chapter of
the Acacia fraternity, an organization of college Masons.

After his admission to the bar Mr. Turnipseed came to Cedar Falls on the
23d of July, 1 91 3, and entered the law office of Hemenway & Martin. On the
1st of October of the same year he succeeded to the interest of Mr. Hemenway
upon his retirement from active practice and is now junior partner in the firm
of Martin & Turnipseed, in which connection he is making rapid professional
progress.

Mr. Turnipseed has membership in Black Hawk Lodge, Xo. 65, A. F. &
A. M. He is also a member of the Cedar Falls and the Waterloo Commercial
Clubs and cooperates in the plans of those organizations for the upbuilding and
development of this section of the county. He is likewise a member of the
Woodlawn Golf Club, which indicates something of the nature of his recrea-
tion. He is alert, energetic and determined, recognizes and improves oppor-
tunities and step by step is advancing, securing thereby with each forward
movement a broader outlook and wider opportunities.

C. A. WATERBURY, M. D.

For a decade Dr. C. A. Waterbury has been numbered among Waterloo's
able physicians and surgeons. He is a man of pronounced ability in his chosen
profession because of his thorough preliminary study, his subsequent wide
reading and his conscientious devotion to the duties of his calling. Cedar Rapids
numbers him among her native sons, his birth having there occurred in 1875,
but in 1878 he was brought to Waterloo, where he was reared and acquired his
public-school education, passing through consecutive grades until graduated from
the West Waterloo high school. He afterward spent three years as a student in
the medical department of the University of Iowa, after which he matriculated
in the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated
in 1899, the degree of M. D. being at that time conferred upon him. He then
located for practice at Hudson, where he remained for five years, when, seeking
a broader field of labor, he came to Waterloo, opened an office and has since
engaged in general practice. He belongs to the Waterloo Medical Society, the
Black Hawk County Medical Society, the Austin Flint Medical Society, the
Cedar Valley Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society, the American
Medical Association and the Missouri Valley Medical Society. He recently
pursued a post-graduate course in New York city.

In 1905 Dr. Waterbury was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Grant Wilcox,
of Albert Lea, Minnesota, who for some time was a teacher of Latin in the

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 303

West Side high school of Waterloo. They now have one child, Mary Elizabeth.
Dr. Waterbury gives his political allegiance to the republican party, but the only
office that he has filled is that of coroner of Black Hawk county, in which posi-
tion he served for four years. He squares his life by the teachings and tenets
of the Masonic order, is a member of the Elks lodge and also a member of the
Commercial Club and Board of Trade. He attends the Congregational church
and is a man whose genuine personal worth, as well as his professional ability,
entitles him to the high regard; confidence and goodwill of his fellow citizens.

W. P. SOASH.

W. P. Soash, proprietor of the Western Adjustment Company with offices
in the Black Hawk building of Waterloo, was born in Butler county near Clarks-
ville, Iowa, in 1877, his parents being George and Polly (Hiserodt) Soash,
natives of Pennsylvania and of Illinois respectively. They came to Iowa in the
'50s with their respective parents and settled in Butler and Hardin counties.
They were married in the latter county and the father, who entered land from
the government, broke the sod, tilled the fields and carried on general farming
until about the '80s. His death occurred in 1892. He had for eight years sur-
vived his wife, who passed away in 1884. In their family were three children,
all of whom are yet living, W. P., Dave and Mildred. George Soash enlisted
in Company E, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry at the outbreak of the Civil war
and served with credit to himself and country throughout the struggle.

W. P. Soash acquired his education in the schools of Hardin and Butler
counties and was reared upon the home farm with the usual experiences and
pleasures that fall to the lot of the farm lad. He worked at the carpenter's
trade for seven years and then started out in business on his own account as
a hardware merchant at Rake, Iowa, where he continued in business for two
years. He then sold out and removed to Rockwell, Iowa, where he conducted
a hardware store for two years. He remained at that place, however, until
1903, when he came to Waterloo, where he opened a real-estate office, continu-
ing in the business until October, 1909. During the period which he devoted to
the purchase and sale of real estate he went to Big Springs, Texas, in 1909,
having the greater part of his landed interests in that locality at the time. He
sold land there to the value of several million dollars and organized four dif-
ferent towns and at that time was one of the largest land operators in the
country. Mr. Soash suffered very severe losses in the period from 1909 to
1913, owing to excessive droughts extending through the whole four years. In
1 9 13 he returned to Waterloo and opened his present office, conducting business
under the name of the Western Adjustment Company. At this writing he is
recuperating from the losses sustained in former years.

In 1900 Mr. Soash was married to Miss Minnie Haase, who was born in
Kossuth county, Iowa, a daughter of John Haase. They have two children,
Lorna Arvilla, bom in 1901, and George W., in 1903. Mr. Soash is a liberal in
his political views nor has he any desire for the honors and emoluments of
public office. The family is of Protestant faith, but Mr. Soash is liberal in his

304 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

religious views. Practically his entire life has been spent in Iowa and he has
been a witness of many changes as the work of development and progress has
been carried forw^ard. He has always manifested a public-spirited devotion to
the general good and his cooperation can be counted upon to further various
measures for the benefit of the city in which he makes his home.

JAMES EDWIN BARRETT.

James Edwin Barrett has been a well known and prominent citizen of Black
Hawk county since 1866. He now makes his home in Waterloo but for many
years was actively engaged in farming in Lincoln township, where he took up
his abode at an early day. He was born in Canton, St. Lawrence county,
New York, .Vugust 2, 1840, and resided there to the age of twenty years. His
paternal grandfather served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war and in days
of peace followed the saddler's trade. His father came from Ireland and mar-
ried an English lady. Charles E. Barrett, the father of our subject, was born
in Essex county, New York, October 8, 1818, and died in Jefferson, Wisconsin,
at the age of seventy-five years. At the time of the Civil war he responded to
the country's call for aid, enlisting as a member of Company E, Fourth Wis-
consin Cavalry. He was wounded in the hip when scouting after the bush-
whackers near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He later returned to his home in
Jefferson county, Wisconsin, and there his remaining days were passed. He
was a Universalist in his religious faith and a republican in his political belief.
He married Charlotte Olin, who died in New York when their son James was
l)ut four years of age, four children being thus left motherless. The father
afterward married Charlotte Backus and to them were born five children.

James E. Barrett attended the public schools, in which he studied the com-
mon branches. His father was a lumberman and during vacations he worked
for him, packing shingles and assisting in sawing and other work as he grew
older. In the spring of 1855 the father removed with his family to Jeft'erson
county, Wisconsin, and in the fall of that year he made a trip to Chicago,
taking with him three horses. He then drove from Chicago to the town of
Jeff'erson, in Jefferson county, Wisconsin. He purchased a farm of two hun-
dred and forty acres situated in the township of Lake JMills and his son, James
E. Barrett, assisted in its operation up to the time of his marriage, which was
celebrated in May, 1862. The lady of his choice was Miss Mariette Stevens,
who was born in Jeft'erson, Wisconsin, a daughter of Silas and Adeline (Jack-
son) Stevens. The young couple established their home with his father and
the following year, in response to the country's call for troops, James E. Bar-
rett enlisted as a member of Company E, Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, of which
he became a private. He served until the close of the war, his regiment being
attached to the Department of the Gulf, and he was honorably discharged at
Madison, Wisconsin.

When hostilities were over Mr. Barrett returned home and on the i8th day
of March, 1866, he drove into Waterloo, Iowa, having made the journey across
the country from his Wisconsin home. When he left Jefferson he had fifty

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 305

dollars in money, a cheap team and a double wagon. He purchased one hundred
and twenty acres of land in Lincoln township at four dollars and a half per
acre. There was no house or other improvement upon the place and in fact
there was no dwelling within two miles. The land had just been burned over
and the outlook was not very propitious. He had to get a surveyor before he
could establish the boundaries of his place, but with resolute purpose he set to
work to develop a farm and prepare a home for his family. His first task was
the building of a dwelling. He was accompanied to Iowa by his brother-in-law,
W. H. Stevens, and his wife's uncle, James Jackson. They purchased alto-
gether three hundred and sixty acres of land and divided it. Mr. Jackson built
a house on his claim and the three men occupied it the first summer. In May
Mr. Barrett was joined by his wife, who passed away in July of the same year,
leaving him with a little son only nine days old. He then rented his place and
took his baby back to the grandmother in Wisconsin. The following spring he
came again to Iowa and worked for William Groves and for Dr. C. Whitney,
breaking land for them. In this way he turned the first furrows on a tract
extending from the Methodist Episcopal church on Fourth street to Eagle
Center road down to Ilammon street, in Waterloo. The following February
he returned to Wisconsin, obtained another team and again came to Iowa. He
then located on his farm, on which he spent two years and then once more went
to Wisconsin. There he was married in 1870 to Miss Margaret Relberford, of
that state, and bringing his bride to Iowa, they began their domestic life upon
his farm in Lincoln township. He built a home but his wife died fourteen
months later in giving birth to a little son. Mr. Barrett continued upon the
place, keeping house for himself and hiring a nurse to care for his baby. Two
^ears after the death of his second wife he wedded Pauline Thompson, of
Grundy county, Iowa. He continued upon his place and carefully developed
his farm, but again death visited the household in 1903, when his third wife
passed away. He was married January 10, 1905, to Miss Jennie Turner, of
Black Hawk, where she was reared. Mr. Barrett continued upon the farm,
further developing the fields and improving the place until the year 1898, when
he removed to his home in Waterloo, where he has since resided. In the mean-
time he has disposed of his farm, which consisted of two hundred acres and
which is today worth two hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre. On remov-
ing to Waterloo Mr. Barrett established his home at Seventh street and Grant
avenue, but on the death of his wife he sold that property and spent a year in
Spink county. South Dakota, where he owns four hundred acres of land. He
also has three hundred and twenty acres in Brown county, that state. After a
year passed on his Spink county farm he returned to W^aterloo and has since
occupied his present home at No. 11 28 Washington street.

By his first marriage Mr. Barrett had one child, Merritt J., who is married
and is engaged in the raising of full blooded Jersey cattle at Thorsby, Alabama.
The only child of the second marriage is Charles J. Barrett. By the third union
there were two children : Earl C, a farmer near Waterville, New York, who
wedded Miss Mary Trainor, of Waterloo, and has five children ; and Lottie,
the wife of George Cranston, of Waterloo.

Mrs. Barrett is a lady of innate culture and refinement and is an active
member of the Woman's Relief Corps. Mr. Barrett holds membership in

306 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Robert Anderson Post. Xo. 68, G. A. R., of Waterloo, and thus maintains
pleasant relations with his old army comrades. His political allegiance has
always been given to the republican party. He is an honorable, upright man,
kind and charitable, and his life has been filled with many good deeds. l>oth
he and his wife are held in high esteem wherever known and Mrs. Barrett, like
her husband, is spoken of in terms of warm regard by their many friends
throughout the county.

WILLIAM H. LIFE.

William li. Life is a retired farmer and stock-raiser living in Waterloo.
He was identified for a long period with agricultural interests in Tama county
but is now enjoying a rest which his former labor has made possible. He was
born in Highland county, A'irginia, March i8, 1849, and is a representative of
one of the old families of Pennsylvania. His paternal great-grandfather was a
Pennsylvania man who served in the Revolutionary war but afterward removed
to \*irginia and spent his last days in Highland county. He was opposed to
slavery and this feeling of opposition was carried down through successive gen-
erations. His son, Samuel Life, was born in Pennsylvania, December 5, 1792.
and removed to the Old Dominion, where he followed farming. On the 24th
of December. 1816, he married Anna Waybright, who was born November 6,
1795. Prior to his marriage Samuel Life served as a soldier in the War of
181 2, being on duty in the vicinity of Baltimore. Later he and his sons cleared
a farm in Highland county, Virginia. The family numbered seven children :
the Rev. William Life, who was born December 22, 1817. and married Susan
Lamont; John; Henry, who was born April 18, 1822, married Fanny Crawford
and became a practicing physician; Abraham, who was born February 22, 1824;
Samuel, who was born January 19, 1826, and married a Miss Freeman and
after her death wedded Josephine Hodge ; George, who was born February 14,
1830. became a minister and married Annie Smith; and Anna, who was born
July 26, 1835.

John Life, the father of William II. Life, was born in Virginia and spent
the period of his youth there. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade, also car-
pentering and undertaking. He continued a resident of Virginia until about
1867, when he came with his family to Iowa, settling in Tama county, where
he followed the occupation of farming. He died in that county, February i,
1903, at the venerable age of eighty-three years. His religious faith was that
of the Presbyterian church, in which he served as an elder. In politics he was
a republican and he filled a number of local offices. He married Elizabeth
Colaw, who was born in Virginia, April 21, 1825, a daughter of George and
Mary Colaw. Mrs. Life was a devoted member of and an active worker in
the Presbyterian church. She was a lady of the old school, always kindly,
courteous, a true gentlewoman. Her death occurred upon the home farm in
Tama county, September 21, 1902.

William H. Life had not reached his majority when the family came to
Iowa, the state in which he had dreamed of locating when a boy, and the trip

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 307

westward was made by rail. The family at that time consisted of father,
mother and five children. The father purchased one hundred and sixty acres
of land in Geneseo township, Tama county, a tract of wild prairie on which
he built a pioneer home. He at once began the work of development and improve-
ment and in this was largely assisted by his sons. The farm today comprises
four hundred acres of rich and valuable land, equipped with all of the latest
improvements and the most modern farm machinery. It is provided with a
water works system and every facility for making a farm productive and
profitable.

In his boyhood days William H. Life attended the district schools and later
pursued a course in a commercial college in Dubuque. He has always made
a specialty of studying agriculture and has carried on farming along the most
progressive and scientific lines. He thoroughly understands crop production,
rotation and all modern methods. He knows the soil and its properties and
what is needed for the dififerent kinds of grain. His work has been most care-
fully conducted and his labors have brought to him a gratifying return.

Mr. Life went back to Virginia and was there married to an oldtime school-
mate, Miss Sarah Rohrbaugh, of Grant county. West Virginia, a daughter of
Solomon and Mary M. (Jack) Rohrbaugh. Her father was a farmer, trades-
man, miller and lumberman. At the time of their marriage Mr. Life brought
his bride to his Iowa home, locating upon the old homestead farm of which he
assumed charge. There, in connection with tilling the soil according to the
most modern, scientific methods, he also engaged in the raising of cattle, handling
some blooded stock and raising others solely for the market. In all of his
business afifairs he displayed keen discernment and unfaltering enterprise and
success naturally resulted.

In 1902 Mr. Life was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who
passed away in that year in the faith of the United Presbyterian church, of
which she had long been a devoted member. She was born August 27, 1858,
and was therefore about forty-four years of age at the time of her demise.
She left two children, Charles and John. The former, born May 4, 1884, wedded
Helen McFee and is v^ farmer and lumberman, acting as superintendent for
Rogers Lumber Company in Saskatchewan, Canada. The younger son, John,
born February 27, 1893, is now attending commercial college. Mr. Life was
again married October 15, 1903, his second union being with Miss Anna C.
Krecklow, who was born near Berlin, Germany, February 3, 1852, and came to
the United States in 1856. The family settled in Northumberland county, Penn-
sylvania, where her parents died. Her father, Frederick W. Krecklow, was a
merchant and married Matilda Losch. Herschel, the great astronomer, was
the great-grandfather of Mrs. Life. She was a very small child when her parents
landed in New York with their family. She is a lady of liberal education and
of innate culture and refinement and is a most interesting conversationalist. She
attended the Rye Seminary at Muncy, Pennsylvania, which was founded by Mrs.
Susan Life, the wife of the Rev. William Life, who removed the seminary to
Rye, New York, and made it a most successful and well attended institution.
Miss Amelia F. Krecklow, a sister of Mrs. Life, is now a teacher in that school.

Mr. Life has always taken an active part in church work, holding member-
ship in the First L^nited Presbyterian church of Waterloo, of which he was one

308 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

of the builders and is now one of the trustees. He has done everything in
his power to advance the work of the church and has been a generous con-
tributor to its support. He is a Hfe member of Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P.,
at Waterloo and became identified with the order in Northern Star Lodge at
Tracr, Iowa. In politics he is a stalwart republican but has no desire to fill
public office. His busmess afifairs have ever been carefully conducted, his
duties of citizenship promptly discharged, and in every relation of life he has
been found honorable and faithful, thus commanding the respect and confidence
of his fellowmen.

ALMON F. GATES.

In commercial educational circles in the United States the name of Almon F.
Gates is an honored one. He is the president of the Waterloo Business College,
the thorough training of which has fitted hundreds of students for important
positions in the commercial world, and as head of the school Mr. Gates is ever
advancing its standards and improving its course. A native of Michigan, he was
born in Clinton county and was educated in the district schools of that state,
followed by study in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso and in
the Upper Iowa University at Fayette. His entire life since the completion of
his own education has been devoted to educational work and he is now at the head
of an institution which is a most creditable factor in the intellectual progress of
the state. The Waterloo Business College was established in 1884 as the Waterloo
College by T. Tobin, who at that time maintained an academic course. In 1886
a commercial college was established by \W. H. Burrett, who in 1888 sold out to
Mr. Gates, who remained at the head of the school until 1890, when he was joined
by W. H. Brown and they bought out Mr. Tobin and consolidated the two schools.
This partnership continued until 1891, when Mr. Brown bought out the entire
college. He conducted the school until 1893, when J. H. Orcutt took charge and
so continued until 1895. Through the succeeding year the school was conducted
by Mr. Elliott and from 1896 until 1898 by W. E. Hager, E. L. Corton and Mary
S. Horner. After this Mr. Gates returned and took charge and in 1900 the
school was incorporated under the name of the Waterloo Business College with
Mr. Gates as the president. In 1904 a removal was made to the present quarters
and he has built up the school until it now has an annual attendance of three
hundred students. It is strictly a business college and is one of the influential
institutions of Waterloo. Mr. Gates has greatly raised the standard of instruc-
tion, which is such that it meets the full requirements for training for the business
world. Its students are capable of holding responsible positions and the work
which they do is indicative of the breadth and excellence of the curriculum. Mr.
Gates also owns the New Hampton Business College, of which his son has charge.
He is likewise a stockholder in different business enterprises.

In 1 89 1 occurred the marriage of Mr. Gates and Miss Mary G. Becker,' a.
daughter of C. D. Becker, one of the old-time pioneer settlers of Black Hawk
county, and to them was born one son, Bruce F., who was educated in the Waterloo

^^^^^^H ^F^i"'

^^^IBEHhHH^''^ J^^I^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^i

ALMON F. GATES

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 311

schools until graduated from the high school. He also attended the Waterloo
Business College and he will complete the liberal arts course in the University of
Michigan in 191 5. The wife and mother passed away in July, 1914, and her
death was deeply regretted by many friends as well as by her immediate family.
Mr. Gates is an active factor in political circles and was the secretary of the
first state convention of the progressive party. He belongs to the Masonic
fraternity, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United
Workmen and other fraternal organizations. He has membership with the
Chamber of Commerce and cooperates in their plans and projects for the up-
building of the city. His social nature finds expression in his membership in the
Waterloo and Town Criers Clubs. He is president of the National Business
Teachers' Association. That his Hfe is guided by high and honorable principles
is indicated in his loyalty to the teachings of the First Methodist Episcopal
church, of which he is a devoted member. He is also the president of the Young
Men's Christian Association and he was secretary of the Business Men's Tem-
perance Association from its organization until the spring of 1914. His influence
has ever been on the side of right and progress, of reform and improvement,
and he has left the impress of his individuality for good upon the lives of many
with whom he has been brought in contact.

DAVID GIBSON.

David Gibscm, now residing at No. 121 7 West Third avenue, is a retired
farmer and is one of the pioneer settlers of the county. For many years he has
resided in this section of the state and has ever been an interested witness of
the changes which have occurred and has borne his share in advancing the
growth and development of this part of the state. He was born in County
Down, Ireland, on the 22d of June, 1842, and after passing the twenty-second
milestone on life's journey crossed the Atlantic to the new world, this being in
the year 1865. He first made his way to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he
lived for two years and then came to the west, settling in Dubuque county,
Illinois, where he remained for three years.

In the spring of 1869 Mr. Gibson came to Barclay township, Black Hawk
county, and purchased eighty acres of land on which he took up his abode.
The tract was practically undeveloped and unimproved and he brought the
land under a high state of cultivation. He paid sixteen dollars per acre in
gold for the property and with characteristic energy began its development with
the result that he soon had an excellent farm, highly cultivated and yielding to
him a gratifying annual income in the large crops which he harvested and
which found a ready sale upon the market. As his financial resources increased
he kept adding to his property until he had four hundred acres. In the summer
of 1914 he sold one hundred and sixty acres of this for one hundred and forty-
five dollars per acre, its value having increased as the result of his develop-
ment and cultivation one hundred and twenty-nine dollars per acre. He still
retains possession of the old homestead, which is worth at least two hundred

Vol. 11—17

312 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

dollars per acre. His methods were practical and progressive and as the years
passed he won a substantial fortune as the result of his close application and
unremitting energy.

Mr. Gibson was married in 1877 to Miss Rosanna Skelly, who was a native
of County Down, Ireland, and passed away in 1894. In their family were four
children, of whom three sons are yet living: Albert Edward, a resident of
Waterloo; Robert William, who is vice president of the Artificial Ice & Fuel
Company of Waterloo ; and H. C, who is in Canada. The only daughter, Flor-
ence M., who was the third in order of birth, has passed away. About 1898
Mr. Gibson was married again, his second union being with Miss Matilda
McCammon, who was also a native of County Down, Ireland. In the spring
of 191 1 he put aside the active work of the farm and removed to Waterloo, now
making his home at No. 12 17 West Third avenue, where he is most pleasantly
and comfortably located.

Mr. Gibson is a valued member of the United Presbyterian church and for
a number of years served on its official board. His life has ever been upright
and honorable, in accord with his religious professions, and he enjoys the
unqualified respect and confidence of his fellowmen. Moreover, he deserves
representation in this volume as one of the pioneer residents of the county,
where he has now lived for more than four decades. Many changes have
occurred within this time and he rejoices in what has been accomplished along
the lines of progress and improvement. He bore his full share in the work
of agricultural development and his influence has always been on the side of
advancement in connection with material, intellectual, social and moral affairs.

WILLIAM BRYAN.

William Bryan is a real-estate dealer and the patentee of the International
M & S Automobile Gear. He was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1887
and during his childhood went with his parents to Missouri. He is a son of
Frank and Sarah Bryan, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter
of Tennessee. The mother died during the early childhood of William Bryan
but the father is stili living and makes his home in Houston, Missouri.

William Bryan spent twelve years of his youth and early manhood in Mis-
souri and at the end of that time came to Waterloo. In the meantime he had
acquired an education in St. Louis and had made his initial step in the business
world, in which connection he had worked his way upward until he became
foreman and inspector for the Iowa Dairy Separator Company of Waterloo.
He occupied that position for five years and was correspondent for Sears
Roebuck & Company and then in July, 191 1, he took up the real-estate busi-
ness, in which he has been very successful, handling property to the value of a
million and a half dollars in a period of three years. He has dealt largely
in farm lands. In 1912 he purchased a half interest in the Ledaour patent on
gears for automobiles to substitute differentials and since that time improvements
have been made and a new patent taken out under the name of the International
M & S Automobile Gear. The late patent was issued in July, 19 [3. to W. F.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 313

Muel, who served as the mechanical engineer while the patent was being com-
pleted. Mr. Bryan is now one of a company that has been organized for manu-
facturing purposes. This company includes: C. C. Wolfe, of Parkersburg;
Louis LL Scurlock, of Kansas City; Frank Long, president of the Center City
Bank of Kansas City; and Mr. Holden, president of the Parke-Davis Company
of Detroit, Michigan. This company is known as the M & S Gear Company
of Kansas City and the officers are: L. H. Scurlock, president; Frank Long,
vice president and treasurer ; with William Bryan, C. C. Wolfe, Louis H. Scur-
lock, Frank Long and Frank Epstine as directors. The company has orders
for two hundred and fifty thousand of the new gears, to be used in the 1916
cars, and the present outlook of the business is most gratifying.

Mr. Bryan is liberal in his political views and fraternally is connected with
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. There are
no esoteric features in his life record nor spectacular phases. He has worked
on persistently and energetically day by day, realizing and utilizing his oppor-
tunities as they have come to him, and his ability and strong purpose, guided
by sound judgment, have been the salient factors in winning him a place among
the successful business men of Waterloo.

GEORGE M. NESBIT, M. D.

Dr. George M. Nesbit, well known as one of the able and successful physi-
cians and surgeons in Waterloo, his native city, was born March 6, 1863, a son of
James and Mary (Orr) Nesbit, both of whom are now deceased. They came
to this city from Rockford, Illinois, in 1855, casting in their lot with the early
settlers of Black Hawk county, for at that time Waterloo was a small town
and the greater part of the county was largely undeveloped. The father was
a stonemason by trade and followed that pursuit in early life but later engaged
in farming, owning a tract of land in Barclay township which he brought to
a high state of cultivation.

Dr. Nesbit was reared in Waterloo and the city schools afiforded him his
early educational privileges, although later he attended the Elgin Academy and
Beloit College of Beloit, Wisconsin. Ilis broad literary learning served as an
'excellent foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional
knowledge when in 1885 he determined upon the practice of medicine as a
life work and began studying with that end in view. He entered the College
of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago and was graduated from that institu-
tion in the spring of 1888. Following his graduation he settled at Mount
Auburn, Iowa, where he opened an office and was successfully engaged in
practice for seven years. On the expiration of that period he removed to
La Porte City, Iowa, where he was likewise accorded an extensive practice
during the ten years of his residence at that place. In March, 1905, however,
he sought a still broader field of labor and came to Waterloo, where he has
steadily advanced until he occupies a foremost position in the ranks of the
medical profession of Black Hawk county. Anything which tends to bring to
man the key to the complex mystery which we call life is of interest to him and

314 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

he is continually broadening his knowledge and promoting his efficiency and
skill by further reading, study and investigation.

In 1888 Dr. Nesbit was united in marriage to Miss Nettie McCornack, of
Elgin, Illinois, by whom he has five children, as follows : Marguerite I., who
is a graduate of Coe College of Cedar Rapids; Wellwood Mack, a graduate of
the State University of Iowa, who is now a second-year student in the College
of Medicine of that institution ; Wallace G., a senior in Coe College of Cedar
Rapids; Harold T., a sophomore in Coe College of Cedar Rapids; and Mark E.,
who is a high-school student.

Dr. Nesbit occupies an attractive home in \\'aterloo and in addition to his
city property owns three valuable farms, two in Black Hawk county and one
in Benton county. Fraternally he is connected with Waterloo Lodge, A. F. &
A. M., and in matters of citizenship he at all times recognizes his duties and his
obligations. His attention, however, is given most largely to his professional
duties, which have been of growing importance. He belongs to the Waterloo
City Medical Society, the Black Hawk County Medical Society and the Iowa
State Medical Society. His professional brethren speak of him in terms of
high regard, recognizing his power in his chosen profession, the duties of which
he discharges with a sense of conscientious obligation.

AL\RK T. FERRIN.

Mark J. Perrin, president of the \\ aterloo Electrical Supply Company and
a member of the Kissel C?r Company of Waterloo, is thus prominently and
actively identified with commercial and manufacturing interests which consti-
tute a factor in the business activity and development of the city as well as a
.source of individual success.

He was born near Clarksville, in Butler county, Iowa, August 24, 1869, a
son of Jeremiah and Anna (Hillman) Perrin. The father was a native of Eng-
land and was there reared and married, after which he brought his wife to the
United States, settling in Pennsylvania, where they remained for four years.
In 1850 they came west to Iowa and after a year passed in Muscatine removed
to Butler county. There the father purchased a farm, on which he lived for
almost a half century and on which his first wife died. About the year 1897 he
retired from active work and took up his home with a son in the town of Greene,
Butler county, where his death occurred in 1901, when he had reached the age
of eighty-two years and ten months. Anna Hillman, mother of our subject, was
the second wife of Jeremiah Perrin, whom she married at her home in Rock-
ford, Illinois. She died in Clarksville, Iowa, in 1888, aged fifty-two years.

Mark J. Perrin, reared in Butler county, was educated in the district schools
and in the Clarksville high school, from which he was graduated with the class
of 1886. He was reared to farm work, having the usual experiences that come
Avhen one's attention is concentrated upon the work of plowing, planting and
harvesting. He continued to assist his father and after the latter's retirement
assumed the management of the home farm. From 1888 until 1893 he and his
father engaged in the hardware business in Clarksville and in the latter year

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 315

Mark J. Perrin returned to the farm, which he continued to cultivate and de-
velop through the succeeding" eleven years. In 1904 he removed to Waterloo
and some time later, or in 1905, he became identified with the W^aterloo Elec-
trical Supply Company, of which he was made president and at the head of the
business he still remains. This is one of the important commercial interests of
the city and the firm enjoys a liberal patronage. In June, 1913, he was made the
agent for the Kissel car for northeastern Iowa, with headquarters at Waterloo,
where he not only sells but also repairs cars, conducting a well equipped garage.

In 1890 Mr. Perrin was united in marriage to Aliss Lottie L. Crippen, of
Clarksville, Iowa, by whom he has four children, as follows : E. Grace, who is
the wife of W. R. Donaldson, of Waterloo; Anna M., a student in the Ferry
Hall school at Lake Forest, Illinois; Maud A., who attends the Waterloo high
school; and Margaret, who is still in the grammar grades.

Fraternally Mr. Perrin is identified with the following organizations : Butler
Lodge, No. 94, A. F. & A. M. ; the Order of the Eastern Star at Clarksville ;
Royal Arch Chapter at Clarksville ; Ascalon Commandery, No. 25, K. T. ; El
Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Cedar Rapids; and Helmet Lodge, No. 89,
Knights of Pythias. Mr. and Mrs. Perrin hold membership in the Westminster
Presbyterian church and he has been a member of the board of trustees since
its organization. His political indorsement is given to the republican party and
he keeps well informed on the cjuestions and issues of the day and is ever ready
to support his position by intelligent argument. Waterloo has counted him
among her leading business men since he came to the city and entered into
active connection with her interests. He developed industry, determination and
energy when upon the farm, and he has added to these qualities a spirit of
initiative, carefully formulating his plans and accomplishing what he undertakes.

MATHIAS J. TRITZ.

Mathias J. Tritz, proprietor of one of the best equipped photographic studios
in Waterloo and holding high rank as a representative of the photographic art,
was born in Jackson county, Iowa, on the 27th of March, 1861, a son of John A.
and Mary (Siren) Tritz. The father was a native of Prussia, and the mother's
birth occurred in Germany. They were married, however, in the new world
and throughout much of his life the father followed the occupation of farming.
He was also quite prominent in political circles and his opinions carried weight
in the councils of the democratic party. At an early day in the development of
Iowa he came to this state, settling in Jackson county, where he was engaged in
general farming and was also active in public office, his worth and ability lead-
ing to his selection for various important positions. At one time he served as
a member of the legislature and did active work as a member of the law-making
body of the commonwealth. He died in 1878 in Jackson county when his son
Mathias was a youth of seventeen years. His widow survives and yet resides
on the old homestead.

Mathias Tritz was the third in order of birth in a family of thirteen children
and pursued his education in the public schools of Jackson county and spent

316 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

his youthful days upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with the best
methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He remained at home until
he attained his majority, but for about three years prior to that time had taught
school. He then began learning photography at Bellevue, Iowa, where he
remained for a brief period. He afterward followed the business at Mount
Carroll, Illinois, for three years and in other places, and then returned to Iowa
in 1890, since which time he has made his home in Waterloo. He has one of
the best equipped studios of this city and has made for himself a creditable
name and place in the profession. He has kept in touch with the advancement
made in connection with photography, is acquainted with all the modern processes
that have resulted through scientific investigation and now devotes his entire
time to the business. He is enjoying a liberal patronage, which results from
the excellent work which he does.

In 1886 ]\Ir. Tritz was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kempter, who
was born in Galena, Illinois, a daughter of Gotfried and Mary (Gnigler) Kemp-
ter, the latter a native of Austria. The father was born in Germany and came
to Iowa from Illinois about 1869, settling in Jackson county. He was a cabinet-
maker and undertaker by trade and in Jackson county engaged in the furniture
ijusiness, continuing active in trade circles there up to the time of his death,
which occurred about 1892. His widow is now a resident of Bellevue, Iowa.
To Mr. and Mrs. Tritz have been born three children : Delia M. and Reta F.,
both under the parental roof ; and Arthur, who died in infancy. The parents
hold membership in the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Tritz gives his political
allegiance to the democratic party. Fraternally he is connected with the Court
of Honor and the Highland Nobles. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes
great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. He is always courteous,
kindly and alfable and those who know him personally have for him warm
regard. A man of great natural ability, his success in business from the begin-
ning of his residence in Waterloo has been uniform and rapid.

WALTER GORDON MESSINGER.

A\ alter Gordon ^lessinger was in 1901 an employe of the Iowa Skirt Manu-
facturing Company and in 1909 became its president. His rise was rapid but
his advancement was well merited, as is indicated by the fact that as chief execu-
tive officer he has so directed the interests of the business as to make it one of
the constantly growing enterprises of Waterloo. Black Hawk county numbers
him as a native son, his birth having here occurred on the 30th of July, 1882.
His father, Zachariah T. Messinger, w^as the first white child born in the county
and was a son of Elias Messinger, who arrived here from Pennsylvania in early
pioneer times. The family experienced the usual hardships and privations of
pioneer life and contributed to the work of general development and improve-
ment. Zachariah T. Messinger throughout his active business life followed
agricultural pursuits, living on a farm in W^aterloo township, where for many
years he made his home, his death there occurring in 1909.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 317

Walter G. Messinger was reared to farm life, working in the fields from the
time of the early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the late
autumn. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges and when
about eighteen years of age he became a wage earner as an employe of John
Mason, a grocer of Waterloo, in whose service he remained for about a year
On the expiration of that period he became identified with the Iowa Skirt Com-
pany as an employe and in 1906 he acquired an interest in the business. His
advancement was continuous and rapid. He was made vice president of the
company and in 1909 was elected to the presidency, in which capacity he has
since continued. Tlie factory turns out a large output in ladies' skirts and finds
a ready market for the product in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and the Dakotas.
Excellent workmanship and material are factors which promote the growing
trade of the house and the business methods of the company are such as will
bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.

On the 5th of June, 1907, Mr. Messinger was joined in wedlock to Miss
Mary E. Schwanke, of Cedar Falls, and to them has been born a son, Walter
Gordon, Jr. Mr. Messinger is a member of Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P., and
he and his wife hold membership in St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church.
They occupy an enviable position in social circles and warm-hearted hospitality
is extended to them in many of the city's best homes. During the period of his
residence in Waterloo Mr. Messinger has made continuous advancement in
business circles and enjoys the goodwill and confidence of his business asso-
ciates and contemporaries.

CARL W. HITCHCOCK.

Carl W. Hitchcock is the senior partner in the firm of Hitchcock & Humph-
rey, contractors in inside wiring, fixtures and general repairing at Waterloo.
He is a native son of the city in which he still makes his home, his birth having
here occurred on the 30th of October, 1879, his parents being Nelson and Mary
E. (Wells) Hitchcock, both of whom were natives of New York. In early life
the father engaged in farming and later turned his attention to the real-estate
business. He came to Iowa at an early day and settled on a farm near Wash-
burn, but after carrying on general agricultural pursuits for some time he re-
moved to Waterloo and turned his attention to the real-estate business, in which
he continued until his death, which occurred in January, 1910. He was also a
stockholder in the Oak Lawn Building & Improvement Company and in the
Building & Loan Association, beside other local enterprises. His efforts were
an element in the business development of the city, contributing to public pros-
perity as well as to individual success. He also held a number of public offices
in W^aterloo and his duties were discharged with notable promptness and
fidelity. His widow still survives and yet makes her home in Waterloo.

Carl W. Hitchcock was the youngest in a family of nine children and his
boyhood and youth were spent under the parental roof, his time being largely
occupied by the acquirement of a public-school education, which he completed in
the West high school. At the age of nineteen years he began earning his own

318 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

living and for a decade or more was in the employ of the ^^'ate^loo Electrical
Supply Company, during which time he gained comprehensive knowledge of the
business and learned much concerning practical methods along that line. At the
end of that time he became associated with Mark T. Humphrey in forming the
present firm of Hitchcock & Humphrey. The connection between them was
formed on the i8th of July, 1909, and they began business in a small second
floor room at Xo. 400^^ \Vest Fifth street. After eighteen months, however,
their growing business justified their removal to their present location at 403
West Fourth street and about a year later they bought out the Iowa Electrical
Machinery Company and have since conducted the two enterprises. They do
inside wiring and general repairing and carry a full line of electrical supplies,
motors, lamps and fixtures. They install electrical lighting systems upon farms
and they do a general jobbing and retail business, to which both partners devote
their entire time.

On Christmas day of 1906 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hitchcock
and ^liss Olive E. Shannon, who was bom in Winfield, Iowa, and is an adopted
daughter of Cornelius Farrel. then a resident of Danville, Iowa, but now living
retired in Waterloo. ^Ir. and ^Irs. Hitchcock have become the parents of three
children, namely : Helen Alice, Ruth Eleanor and Dorothy May.

!Mr. Hitchcock holds membership with the Knights of Pythias but otherwise
is not identified with fraternal or social organizations. He has, however, many
warm friends in Waterloo and his many social qualities render him attractive
to those with whom he is brought in contact. In business affairs he is thoroughly
reliable as well as persistent, energetic and ambitious, and his persistency of pur-
pose and keen sagacity are bringing to him a creditable measure of success.

ELLIS E. WILSOX.

For fifty-one years Ellis E. Wilson has been numbered among the residents of
Black Hawk county and is classed with its prominent and progressive citizens.
He has been a leading member of the bar and a most active investor in real
estate as well as a factor in the successful conduct of other business enterprises.
His connection with any undertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same,
for it is in his nature to carry forward to successful completion whatever he
becomes associated with and his prompt and honorable methods have won him
the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen. As a lawyer he is
clear-minded and well trained and his ability in this direction has brought to
him success in his practice.

Mr. Wilson was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, March 29. 1861, a son of
William Alexander Wilson, whose birth occurred in Mount X'ebo, Yadkin county,
Xorth Carolina, and who on coming westward to Iowa settled first in Hardin
county. With some young comrades he walked nearly the entire distance from
his old home to Iowa, actuated by a desire to enjoy the benefits offered by a new
and growing community and freedom from the thrall of slavery, in the boundless
northwest. He afterward took up a claim in Kossuth county and in addition to

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 319

developing and improving his land conducted a general store at Algona in that
county. He gave provisions to the soldiers who aided in the defense of the
frontier after the Spirit Lake massacre. At Algona, on the i6th of May, 1858,
he was united in marriage to Miss Chloe Sanders Lawrence and soon afterward
removed to Oskaloosa, where he remained for three years. In 1863 he came
with his family to Black Hawk county and, April 7, 1866, settled on a farm in
Bennington township, which he purchased. With characteristic energy he began
the further development of that property and thereon resided to the time of his
death, which occurred September 4, 1899. The family burial lot is in Fairview
cemetery. In the intervening years he had added to his possessions from time
to time until he was the owner of about eight hundred acres. He took an active
interest in local politics, cooperated in many movements which won success for
his party and advanced the general interests and welfare of the district. His
widow, Chloe Sanders (Lawrence) Wilson, passed away October 4, 1913.

Besides the subject of this sketch the children and grandchildren of Mr. and
Mrs. William A. Wilson are as follows : Barnett Adelbert Wilson, a resident of
Kirwin, Kansas, was married October 12, 1892, to Eliza E. Leeper. and their
children are: Clifford Otto, born November 23, 1894; and Clinton Lawrence,
born October 15, 1896. Mary Cordelia Wilson was married April 13, 1887, to
Charles Smith Choate and they reside in Eugene, Oregon. Their children are:
Lucy Leah, who was born September 7, 1888, and was married September 9,
1908, at Guthrie, Oklahoma, to Elbert Jones; and Nathan Wilson Choate, born
September 11, 1894. Emma Iowa Wilson was married November 18, 1891, to
James Treglone Allen and they reside in Waterloo, Iowa. William Lawrence
"Wilson, born December 18, 1867, died May 8, 1882. Frank Grant Wilson, born
April 19, 1870. died July 25, 191 2. Edith Lillian Wilson was married August
3, 1898, to Dr. H. C. Homer. Elsie Louise Wilson was married December 25,
1894, to Henry H. Schenk and they reside in Memphis, Missouri. They have
two sons: Karl Wilson Schenk, born December 8, 1898; and Loren David
Schenk, born September 19, 1902. C. Asenith Wilson is the next of the family.
Perle G. Wilson was married June 16, 1903, to Louis Bernard Schmidt, who is
a professor in the State College of Agriculture at Ames, Iowa, where they reside,
and they have one son, Robert, born August 24, 1907.

Ellis E. Wilson was only about two years of age when brought by his parents
to Black Hawk county, where he attended the public schools. He afterward
entered the State Teachers' College and received his Bachelor of Science degree
upon the completion of a course in Drake University in 1885. He taught for a
number of years, both in the country schools and as principal of the schools at
Hinton, Iowa, for two years; also spent two years as principal at Moville, but
regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor, and in 1895
received his LL. B. degree upon graduation from the State University, in which
he had pursued the regular law course. He then located in Waterloo, where he
has since practiced. His ability is pronounced and his practice is now of an
important character in the field of finance and real estate. He is devotedly
attached to his profession, a man of high ideals, systematic and methodical in
habit, sober and discreet in judgment, diligent in research and conscientious in
the discharge of every professional duty. His course in the courtroom is char-
acterized by a calmness and dignity that indicate reserve strength.

320 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Aside from his professional activity, Mr. Wilson is largely interested in farm
lands in Iowa. In fact he is one of the heaviest holders of real estate and his
investments have been most judiciously made, indicating his sound judgment
and keen foresight. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and cooperates
in all movements for the benefit and upbuilding of the city. He is a Master
Mason and has advanced high in the order, being now a member of the Mystic
Shrine. He belongs to the Town Criers Club and other civic organizations and
he takes an active and helpful interest in politics, supporting the democratic
party. He possesses marked energy and determination, and as the years have
gone by he has become more and more firmly intrenched in the public regard as
a man of absolute integrity and honesty and one of the able and representative
lawyers, prominent business men and leading citizens of Black Hawk county.
Moreover, he is a representative of one of the prominent pioneer families and
has himself been a witness of the continued growth and development of this
section of the state for more than a half century. His offices are at 518-519
James Black Building.

WILLIAM E. HERREN.

Real ability and merit will come to the front everywhere, a fact which is
manifest in the lives of many successful business men. This statement finds
exemplification in the career of W^illiam E. Herren, a member of the firm of
Kowrey & Herren, real estate, investment and insurance brokers of Waterloo.
He has handled much property and commercial paper, and the success which
he has achieved is the logical outcome of earnest purpose, keen insight and
thoroughly reliable methods.

Mr. Herren was born in Nashua, Iowa, October 5, 1888, a son of Charles
and Lillie (Spencer) Herren, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of
Iowa. The father came to this state in 1882, settling in Nashua, where he met
and married Miss Spencer. In early life he learned the painter's trade, which
he has since followed, and his record has been one of untiring industr}'. In 191 1
he came to Waterloo, where he now resides.

William E. Herren spent his youthful days under the parental roof and com-
pleted a public school course by graduation from the Nashua high school with
the class of 1906. He afterward spent a year as a student in the Iowa State
University and then, putting aside his text-books, went to the west in 1909,
spending a year in Arizona and New Mexico, during which period he was identi-
fied with the Arizona-Cleveland Mining Association. In 191 1, when a young
man of twenty-three years, he came to Waterloo and the following year entered
into partnership with William Howrey m the establishment of their present
business, with offices in the Waterloo Savings Bank building. They have since
handled considerable property, have written a large amount of insurance and
have done a good business as investment brokers. Mr. Herren is a man of
energy, is not afraid of hard work, and his indefatigable enterprise and deter-
mination have led him steadily along the high road toward success.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 321

In 191 1 Mr. Herren was married to Miss Nelle E. Simpson, of Waterloo.
He is a member of the Fraternal Union of America, and he and his wife hold
membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. They are young people of
sterling- worth, highly esteemed wherever known, and most of ail where they
are best known. They have a circle of friends almost coextensive with the
circle of their acquaintance and as the years pass on the number increases.

WILLIAM WAGNER.

William Wagner is a member of the firm known as the Wagner & Wood
Auto Company, conducting a garage at Nos. 1027 and 1029 Sycamore street in
Waterloo and handling the Herff Brooks and Oldsmobile machines. Llis birth
occurred in Du Page county, Illinois, in 1853, his parents being Michael and
Mary Wagner, who emigrated to the United States from Prussia, Germany, in
1846, and were married in Illinois. In 1869 the father brought his family to
Iowa, arriving at Raymond, this county, on the 19th of March of that year. He
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining Gilbertsville on the
east and cultivated the same successfully until his retirement, having paid thirty-
five dollars per acre for property which, when sold in 1913, brought twenty-two
thousand six hundred and sixty dollars. His last days were spent in honorable
retirement at Gilbertsville, where his demise occurred in 1888, while his wife sur-
vived until 19 1 2. To them were born seven children, all of whom are yet living
with the exception of one daughter who died at the age of seven years.

William Wagner received a limited education in his native state and when
a youth of sixteen accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He
remained on his father's farm until nineteen years of age and subsequently
learned the carpenter's trade, working at that occupation for three years. On
the expiration of that period he engaged in business on his own account in Gil-
bertsville and later in Waterloo, while in 1885 he went to South Dakota, where
he was proprietor of a farm machinery establishment until 1890, when he
returned to Waterloo. In 191 3, in association with William Wood, he estab-
lished a garage and agency for the Herff Brooks and Oldsmobile cars, under the
name of the Wagner & Wood Auto Company, which has already built up an
enterprise of extensive and gratifying proportions. Mr. Wagner is also con-
ducting a successful real-estate business, handling his own property exclusively.
He owns a number of residences and town lots in Waterloo and also a quarter
section of land in Canada. His own handsome home is at No. 207 East Eleventh
street in Waterloo.

In 1876 Mr. Wagner was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Hyde, a native of
Wisconsin and a daughter of Fred Hyde. Her parents came to Iowa from Wis-
consin about 1867, taking up their abode in Gilbertsville, where the father was
engaged in business as a carpenter and contractor until his demise in 1878. The
mother was called to her final rest in the year 1902. To them were born three
daughters, of whom Mrs. Wagner is the only survivor. By her marriage she
has become the mother of three sons, as follows : Michael J., who is associated
with his father in the automobile business ; Peter, who is a pearl merchant ; and
William Dewey, who is a high-school student.

322 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Mr. Wagner gives his political allegiance to the democracy, but the honors
and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. He and his family are
devout communicants of the Catholic church. In business his course has been
characterized by strict fidelity to principle, and in social relations he has displayed
a courtesy and cordiality which have won him many friends.

C. T. WILSON.

C. T. Wilson is a general contractor and builder of Waterloo, with office at
the corner of Bridge and Commercial streets. He has made thoroughness and
efficiency his watchwords in connection with business, and by reason of the
results attained thereby has secured a gratifying patronage. He was born in
Washington township. Black Hawk county, in 1866, a son of Seth and Sarah
Parnell (Hitchcock) Wilson. The grandparents were pioneer settlers of Wash-
ington township, but the parents were both born in Illinois prior to the establish-
ment of the Wilson and Hitchcock families in this county. Both the paternal
and maternal grandfather entered land from the government and the paternal
grandparents remained upon their claim until called to their final rest, Mr. \\'il-
son having in the meantime converted the place into a highly improved farm.
The maternal grandfather operated his farm for a time, but in his later years
removed to Cedar Falls, where both he and his wife passed away. Both families
were closely associated with a number of the early events that shaped the pioneer
history of the county, and Grandfather Wilson served on the first jury ever
impaneled in Black Hawk county. In early days he sawed wood for the Illinois
Central Railroad to use in their engines. At first Dubuque was their nearest
market.

Both Seth Wilson and Sarah Hitchcock were reared in this county and were
here married. They began their domestic life upon a farm, and Mr. Wilson
continuously carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1904, when he removed
to Waterloo, where he still makes his home at the age of seventy-two years. His
wife, however, passed away in igi2. In their family were three children : C. T. ;
Mrs. Richards, who is living in Butler county. Iowa; and Carrie, who is employed
by the Leavitt & Johnson Trust Company of Waterloo.

C. T. Wilson acquired his education in the public schools of Parkersburg and
lived upon the home farm until twenty-one years of age, during which period
he taught school for two years. He afterward spent five years in Cornell Col-
lege, Iowa, and was graduated therefrom in 1893 on the completion of a course
in civil engineering. He followed that profession until 1912, and during the
last nine years was city engineer of Waterloo. Previously he had done survey
Avork in connection with railroad building. In 1912 he embarked in contracting,
building and general construction work and has since been active along that
line in Waterloo and northeastern Iowa, where many important contracts have
been awarded him. Evidences of his skill and handiwork can be seen in many
places, and he is widely recognized as one of the leading general contractors of
his section of the state. As the years have passed on he has prospered in his

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 323

undertakings and is now the owner of a number of residence properties and
vacant lots in Waterloo, together with the fine home which he occupies.

In 1894 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Clara Goodale, a native
of New York, who came to the west with her parents in her childhood days and
settled in Butler county, where both her father and mother passed away. Airs.
Wilson is one of the three children of the Goodale family who still survive, the
others being: Oren E., of Los Angeles, California; and Annie C, who is a
trained nurse of Iowa City. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born six chil-
dren : Dorothy, who was born in 1895 and is now attending college in Mount
\^ernon ; Anna, who was born in 1897 ^^'^^ is at home; Clarence, who was born
in 1899 ^^^^ is now a student in the high school; Clara B., who was born in 1901
and is a high-school pupil; Donald, born in 1907; and Florence, born in 1912.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist Episcopal denomina-
tion and Mr. Wilson holds membership with the First Methodist church of
Waterloo. Lie is quite liberal in his political views although his tendency is
toward the republican party. He has served on the board of the west side and
he was a member of the board of water commissioners of Waterloo in con-
nection with J. M. Groat and J. E. Sedgewick when the plant was taken over
by the city. He was likewise a member of the school board for nine years and
has been thus closely connected with important public service and in many ways
has contributed to the upbuilding and progress of the city in which he makes
his home. He is guided at all times by the spirit of advancement and this is
as strongly manifest in his business life as in other connections.

MRS. WILLIAM C. NASH.

Mrs. William C. Nash, well known to the theater-going public as Kitty
De Lorme, was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1863, and when three years of
age was brought by her parents to Waterloo. Her father, Luther S. Freeman,
was a brother of General PI. B. Freeman, of the United States Army. For
many years Luther S. Freeman was engaged in the harness and saddlery busi-
ness in Waterloo and he died at the Soldiers' Home in Dayton, Ohio, where
for several years he played the leading cornet in the band and acted as leader.
Mr. Freeman was a native of Mount Vernon, Ohio, and at the outbreak of the
Civil war enlisted for service with an Ohio regiment, with which he remained until
the close of hostilities. On one occasion he was severely wounded in the left
shoulder by a musket ball. His wife bore the maiden name of Miss Lydia
Wilson and was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, seventy-nine years ago.
She is a daughter of Thomas and Lydia Wilson, in whose family were fourteen
children, and in Ohio she grew to womanhood. Mrs. Nash comes of a family
noted for histrionic talent. Her brother, Luther B. Freeman, now of Westfield,
Iowa, was for many years connected with the stage. His sister, known in the
theatrical world as Nettie Dalton, is now deceased.

As previously stated, Mrs. Nash was but three years of age when brought
by her parents to Waterloo. Here she attended the public schools and at four-
teen years of age began her stage career, playing in children's parts. She was

324 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

leading lady in the play Burr Oaks for three years, enacting the role of ^largie,
with David Higgins as leading man. She afterward played the leading lady
with the De Lorme Stock Company, touring the west for three years. Later
she was under the management of E. D. Stair, touring in the west for four
years and still later supported John Dillon, after which she played in a stock com-
pany in the Calumet theater of Chicago. Again going upon the road, she starred
as Cigarette in the dramatization of Ouida's Lender Two Flags, and for some time
thereafter was connected with the Bennett Moulton Dramatic Company, travel-
ing through the country. Subsequently she played with the International Stock
Company of Niagara Falls, Canada, and afterward with a stock company in
Detroit, Michigan. Five years ago she became seriously ill and was forced to
give up her stage career on account of a general breakdown. She is now suf-
ficiently recovered, however, to return to the stage and it is expected will repeat
her former successes which brought her a wide acquaintance and an admiring
following.

On the loth of March, 1910, in St. Joseph, Missouri, she became the wife of
William C. Nash, who was born in Detroit, Michigan, fifty-four years ago and
is a son of William C. and Theresa (Cahill) Nash. During the thirty-seven
years of her stage life Mrs. Nash has met with the leading celebrities of both
the European and American stage. She is a lover of her art and has always
held to high ideals in connection therewith. Her work has given general satis-
faction, both upon the road and when she has lieen doing the arduous work of
a stock company.

HARRY J. PARKS.

Harry J. Parks, vice president of the Waterloo Sash & Fixture Works, has
in his business career advanced steadily step by step. When determination,
perseverance and talent are arrayed against drawbacks and trials the result is
almost absolutely certain. The former are invincible, they know no defeat^ — -
a fact which has been exemplified in the life of Harry J. Parks, who by persistent
energy has steadily worked his way upward.

Black Hawk county numbers him among her native sons. He was born
November 9, 1886, a son of William H. and Anna B. (Hitt) Parks. The latter
is a native of Waterloo, her father, Harrison Hitt, having come to this city about
1862. William H. Parks was born in Germany and came to the United States
with his parents in his boyhood days, the family home being established in
Waterloo in the early '60s, so that they were among the pioneer settlers of the
town. The death of Mr. Parks occurred March 4, 191 1, but the mother is still
living. He was a farmer by occupation and in following that pursuit provided
a good living for his family.

Harry J. Parks v/as reared upon the home farm and pursued his education
in the public schools of La Porte, passing through consecutive grades until he
became a high-school pupil. He afterward attended the Waterloo Business Col-
lege, from which he was graduated with the class of 1907. The same spring he
entered the employ of the Cascade Manufacturing Company, with which he

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 325

remained for five months. He then entered the employ of the Smith, Lichty &
Hillman Company, with which he remained but a short time. He then secured
a position with the Waterloo Sash & Fixture Works in 1908 and the following
year he purchased stock in the company. In 191 1 he was elected vice president,
in which official capacity he has since continued, and as such is active in directing
the interests and shaping the policy of the house. They are conducting a sub-
stantial and growing business, and as the years pass on their patronage is
steadily increasing.

On the i6th of June, 1914, Mr. Parks was united in marriage to Miss Mamie
E. O'Neill, of Waterloo. They are members of the First Congregational church
and they occupy an enviable position in social circles, having many warm friends
in the city and county. Mr. Parks belongs to Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. of P.,
and to the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. He is recognized as one of the
progressive young business men of his city. To build up rather than to destroy
is his broad policy, and he attacks everything with a contagious enthusiasm that
is productive of substantial results.

EMERY ERNEST MAGEE, M. D.

Dr. Emery Ernest Magee, a medical graduate of Northwestern University,
displayed the elemental strength of his character and his laudable ambition in
providing for the expenses of his college course in both his literary and pro-
fessional training. Such a man will always win success, and it is therefore no
matter of marvel that Dr. Magee stands among the able and eminent physi-
cians and surgeons of Waterloo.

He is a native of Black Hawk county, having been born October 28, 1882,
on the farm near Dunkerton owned by his parents, Edward W. and Sarah Jane
(Davis) Magee, both of whom are natives of the state of New York. In child-
hood, however, they accompanied their parents on their removal to McHenry
county, Illinois, where the marriage of Edward W. Magee and Sarah Jane
Davis was celebrated in i860. The following year they came to Iowa, settling
upon the farm in Black Hawk county which has since been their home. To
his original holdings Mr. Magee has added until he now owns an entire section
of land and is one of the prosperous farmers of this part of the state.

Dr. Magee was reared under the parental roof and acquired his preliminary
education in the public schools. He afterward attended the Iowa Teachers
College at Cedar Falls, from which he was graduated with the class of 1905,
winning the degree of B. D. I. He paid his own way through college at Cedar
Falls and in the autumn of 1905 entered the medical department of the North-
western University, Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of
1909. Again he paid his own way through school by selling books and when he
left college he had a surplus of five hundred dollars. Subsequent to his gradu-
ation he acted for two years as interne in the Wesley Hospital of Chicago and
greatly augmented his knowledge through the broad and varied experience
which is never gained as quickly in any other way as in hospital practice. On
leaving that institution he made his way westward to South Dakota and while

326 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

living in that state purchased a half section of land in Hamlin county, near
Castlewood. He still owns that property, which has almost doubled in value.
His first location as a medical practitioner was in Waterloo, where in 191 1
he opened his office, occupying a commodious suite of rooms in the new First
National Bank building. His office is splendidly appointed in all of the equip-
ments and accessories necessary to medical and surgical practice, and he has
made steady advancement during the years in which he has followed his pro-
fession in this city. That he keeps in touch with the progress and advanced
thought of the day is mdicated in the fact that he holds membership in the
Waterloo City Medical Society, the Black Hawk County ]\Iedical Society, the
Cedar Valley Austin Flint ^Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society
and the American Medical Association. Dr. IMagee is also a member of the
Phi Beta Phi, a Greek letter fraternity, and a member of the Board of Trade
of Waterloo. His interest in the welfare and upbuilding of city and county
is that of a public-spirited citizen, but he has had no time for office seeking or
public activities of other character to any extent because of the constantly
increasing professional demands which are being made upon him.

JAMES E. ROBINSON.

James E. Robinson, superintendent of construction, buildings and grounds
of the low^a State Teachers College of Cedar Falls, is widely and prominently
known because of his work in this connection, having erected all but two of the
present college buildings. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, September 28, 1858,
and is a son of Peter S. and Sarah J. (Young) Robinson, the former a native
of London, England, whence he came to the United States with his parents
when but five years of age, the family home being established in New York city.
Subsequently they removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Peter S. Robinson was
reared. There he wedded Sarah J. Young, a native of Kentucky, and soon after
their marriage they went to Cleveland, Ohio, w'here they made their home for
fifteen years. In 1862 they came west to Iowa, locating in Cedar Falls, which
was then the terminus of the Illinois Central' Railroad. Here the father built a
frame dwelling on Fourteenth and Franklin streets. Directly back of the resi-
dence was an old Indian trail where in his boyhood James E. Robinson saw
hundreds of Indians pass in a body. The father was a carpenter by trade and
for many years conducted business as a contractor and builder, erecting many
of the homes in Cedar Falls in the early years and thus contributing in large
measure to the improvement of the city. He died in August. 1909, at the age
of eighty-two years, while his widow still survives and yet makes her home in
Cedar Falls at the age of eighty-three. She is still hale and hearty and refuses
to allow anyone to do her housework, insisting that she is able to take care of
her own home. Her grandfather lived to the remarkable old age of one hun-
dred and fifteen years and her mother to the age of one hundred and twelve years,
the latter dying while kneeling in prayer in church. The family is thus noted for
longevity and there seems to be no reason why Mrs. Robinson should not survive
for several years to come.

JAMES E. ROBINSON

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 329

James E. Robinson was educated in the public and high schools of Cedar
Falls and in early manhood he learned the carpenter's trade under the direction
of his father. For fifteen years he worked at his trade as a journeyman and
then engaged in the contracting and building business, which he followed for
fourteen years. He built the Methodist church of Cedar Falls, the M. N. Day-
ton home, the residence of M. N. Harris and many other of the finest homes of
Cedar Falls. Most of the store buildings of the city have either been erected by
his father or by himself. For several years he did all of the building of the
state college and in 1901 he was persuaded by President Seerley to accept the
position of superintendent of construction, buildings and grounds, since which
time he has had absolute jurisdiction over all construction work. The magnifi-
cent buildings erected by him will stand for years as a monument to his skill as
a builder, and those who know say that he has saved the state many thousands
of dollars since entering upon his present connection with the school. He is
familiar with every phase of practical and scientific building and is constantly
studying and thinking out along the line of his chosen vocation, so that the value
of his work increases.

In 1884 ^^^- Robinson was joined in wedlock to Miss Martha Davis, of Rich-
mond, Indiana, by whom he has three children, as follows : Lilly May, who is
a graduate of the Iowa State Teachers College and for the past six years has
been engaged in teaching; Robert Lindsay, who is a student in the dental de-
partment of the State University of Iowa at Iowa City; and Mary, who is
attending a training school in Cedar Fall&.

Mr. Robinson is a republican, stalwart in support of the principles of the
party. He holds membership with the Modern Woodmen, and he and his wife
are members of the Presbyterian church. Their many good traits of heart and
mind have won for them high esteem and warm personal friendships, while the
business ability of Mr. Robinson has gained him enviable prominence in his
chosen field.

ARTHUR I. BUNN,

Arthur I. Bunn is a partner in the firm of G. W. Bunn & Son, well known
coal dealers of Waterloo. He was born in Butler county, Iowa, on the 8th of
March, 1876, and is a son of George W. and Lucy J. (Bass) Bunn. The father
was born in New Jersey, September 22, 1848, and the mother's birth occurred
in Illinois on the 13th of October, 1847. The father remained in his native state
until about his tenth year, when he accompanied his parents on their removal
to Du Page county, Illinois, and in 1866 they went to Butler county, Iowa,
where Peter Bunn, the grandfather of our subject, spent his remaining days,
passing away about 1898. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Hum-
mer, died four years later in Waterloo, having made her home with her son
George W. after the death of her husband.

On attaining his majority George W. Bunn engaged in farming in Butler
county, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits until November,
1886, when he put aside the work of the fields and took up his abode in Waterloo.

Vol. II— IS

330 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Immediately afterward he engaged in the coal business in partnership with B. D.
Smith, under the firm style of Smith & Bunn, which relationship continued for
three years, at the end of which time Mr. Bunn became sole proprietor of the
business. He continued alone for twenty-two years, or until 191 1, when he
admitted his son Arthur to a partnership, at which time the present firm name
of G. W. Bunn & Son was assumed.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of life for
Arthur I. Bunn in his boyhood. At the usual age he entered the public schools
and ultimately became a pupil in the West Side high school, from which he was
graduated with the class of 1893. The following year he entered the drug store
of J. J. Knapp of Waterloo and took up the study of pharmacy. In 1895 he
became a student in the pharmaceutical department of the Northwestern Uni-
versity of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1896. For four years
thereafter he was identified with the drug business and then joined his father,
since which time he has been connected with the coal trade. In 191 1 he was
admitted to a partnership and has since been active in the management and
control of the business, v/hich has now reached extensive and gratifying pro-
portions. The firm of G. W. Bunn &: Son is among the leading coal dealers
of the city.

In 1900 was celebrated the marriage of Arthur I. Bunn and Miss Isabella
Aitken, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, a daughter of \\'. T. Al. Aitken, who for several
years was city clerk of Cedar Falls but is now living retired. Mr. and Mrs.
Bunn are the parents of three children, Mildred, George and Arthur.

Mr. Bunn exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and mea-
sures of the republican party. His fraternal connections are with Waterloo
Lodge, No. 105, F. & A. M. ; Tabernacle Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M. ; Crescent
Council, No. 16, R. & S. M.; Ascalon Commandery, No. 25, K. T. ; El Kahir
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Cedar Rapids; and both he and his wife are
members of the Order of the Eastern Star. They are likewise members of
the First iMethodist Episcopal church of Waterloo and Mr. Bunn is connected
with the Waterloo Board of Trade and the Town Criers Club, the latter an-
organization which has for its prime object the advancement of the city's busi-
ness affairs and the promotion of its civic interests. He has spent much of his
life in this city and has been a cooperant in various measures and movements
for the general good. He is highly esteemed wherever known and most of all
where best known.

SAMUEL MORRELL HOFF.

Samuel Morrell Hofif was the first marshal of Waterloo and served on the
police force for nine years. He has been connected with many other public posi-
tions and throughout all the years has been a progressive, public-spirited citizen
who has done much to further the welfare and upbuilding of Black Hawk county.

He was born in Allen township. Union county, Ohio, December 12, 1837.
His grandfather, William Hofif, married Rebecca Johnston and followed the
occupation of farming in A'irginia until his death. He was a soldier in the \\\ir

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 331

of 1 812. His father, Anthony W. Hofif, was born in Barber county, Virginia,
and was married there to Elizabeth Poland. He died in Ohio, after which his
widow became the wife of Joshua S. Eaton, and her death also occurred in the
Buckeye state. To Anthony W. Hoff and his wife were born five children:
Sarah P., who became the wife of Isaac Broderick and died in Ohio ; Rachel J.,
who first married Leonard Lott and after his death married James Wallace,
of Villisca, Iowa; Samuel M. ; Rebecca Ann, who became the wife of Edmund
Foote and died in Ohio; and Minerva Jane, who became the wife of James
Leonard and passed away in Missouri.

Samuel M. Hoff, whose name introduces this review, was sent to the old-
fashioned district school in his early youth. His father was a farmer by occu-
pation but was killed when his son was but five years of age, being murdered
by a fellow who objected to his giving in evidence which made plain some shady
transactions carried on by certain grafters. He was just returning on horseback
from a visit to relatives in Indiana and was seen to enter a strip of woods near
his home. The horse went home riderless and his body was never recovered.
He left five children and, as stated, Samuel M. Hoff was then but five years of
age. The mother kept the children together for five years and then married
again, at which time the children went to live with their grandfather Hoff'.

Samuel M. Hoff came to Iowa with an older married sister, Mrs. Leonard
Lott. He was at that time seventeen years of age. The town of W^aterloo con-
tained one hundred and eight houses situated on both sides of the river, some
built of logs and others of slabs, but that year there were seven brick dwellings
erected, lie first worked at anything he could find to do, being employed in a
brickyard, in cutting logs and in rafting on the Cedar river. In these various
ways he was employed up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated July
19, 1857, Miss Mary Jane Collins of Waterloo becoming his wife. She was born
in the state of Massachusetts, July 19, 1839, and was brought to Iowa when
about eighteen years of age by her parents, Joseph and Sarah (Blackwell) Col-
lins. Mr. and Mrs. Hoff began their domestic life in Waterloo, where they lived
until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when Mr. Hoff', prompted by a spirit
of patriotism, offered his services to the government, enlisting on the 13th of
June, 1861, as a member of Company G, First Iowa Cavalry, for three years.
The regiment was attached to the Trans-Mississippi Department. He was under
the command of Colonel Warren and General Curtis and participated in the bat-
tle of Blackwater, Missouri, December 19, 1861. He took part in various other
engagements, and at the end of three years received an honorable discharge at
Davenport. Iowa, on the 9th of September, 1864, and returned home. He was
promoted to corporal and later to first sergeant.

His wife had died on the 29th of February, 1864, leaving a little daughter.
Sarah Ellen, then two years of age, who was placed in the care of her maternal
grandmother, Mrs. Sarah Collins, and it was not until after leaving the army
when he returned home, that Mr. Hoff first saw his daughter, as her birth
occurred after he left for the front. She remembers distinctly the Indians com-
ing to her grandmother's home, for such were pioneer conditions at that time.
This daughter, Sarah Ellen, was born in Waterloo, was educated in the public
schools and on the 26th of April, 1877, became the wife of John R. Hostetter, by
whom she had one child, Guy R., who was born August 15, 1879. He attended

332 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

the public schools, learned the machinist's trade and has married Amelia Peter-
son. Mrs. Hostetter contracted a second marriage with Harry G. Ludden. For
his second wife Mr. Hoff chose Harriet Maiissa Baumgardner, with whom he
long traveled life's journey most happily. She was a daughter of Jacob Baum-
gardner, a farmer, and she died December 26, 1910, in the faith of the Methodist
Episcopal church, of which she was a devoted and earnest member.

Mr. Hoff followed farming in early manhood but in August, 1868, was
appointed to the position of marshal of Waterloo, being the first occupant of
that position. Much of his life has been devoted to public service. He was
on the police force for nine years, was street commissioner for two years, was
deputy sheriff for four years under \\'. W. Edginton, and was again marshal
for five years. For fourteen years he filled the office of assistant city engineer.
His long continuance in public positions indicates how faithfully and promptly
he must have discharged his duties else he would not have been continued
therein. Abraham Lincoln said: "You can fool all of the people some of the
time and some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool all of the people
all of the time." This is the safeguard of the American public in regard to office
liolding. An unworthy man may obtain a position, but his incapability or
infidelity will at length come to life and he will receive public censure. That
Mr. Hoff was so long in office is an indication of his trustworthiness and ability.
He has ever been an interested witness of the growth and progress of Waterloo,
which he has seen advance from a tiny village of one hundred and eight houses
to its present size and importance, and he has been associated with many events
which have marked its progress and he can relate many interesting incidents of
the early days and of points which feature in the upbuilding of the city.

C. F. GREEN,

For the past eighteen years C. F. Green has acted as general agent of the
Aetna Life Insurance Company for the state of Iowa, representing the accident
and health departments and maintaining offices at Nos. 204 and 205 Commercial
Bank building ni \\'aterloo. His birth occurred at Troy Hills, New Jersey, on
the 17th of June, 1847, ^'^is parents being Benjamin B. and Hannah (Righler)
Green, Avho spent their entire lives in Morris county, that state. The father
operated both a flour mill and sawmill until the time of his retirement from
active business life. His family numbered three sons and two daughters.

C. F. Green, the youngest and only surviving member of his father's family,
attended the schools of his native state in the acquirement of an education. In
1868, when a young man of twenty-one, he came west to Iowa, arriving at
Waterloo in June of that year. For one year he remained on a farm with a
cousin and then went to Princeton, Illinois, while subsequently he removed to
^^'alnut, that state, where for a few years he conducted a general store in
association with Isaac Kelly. In 1873 ^e returned to Black Hawk county, pur-
chased a farm in Poyner township and successfully carried on general agricul-
tural pursuits until 1877. In December of the latter year he entered the mail
service, continuing therein until July 26. 1886. when he became identified with

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 333

the insurance business, with which he has been connected continuously to the
present time. On the loth of January, 1897, he was appointed general agent
for the Aetna Life Lisurance Company and has since acted for the same in
the state of Iowa, bringing the work up to a high standard and proving a
valued and able representative of the company. He owns considerable resi-
dence property and resides in a handsome home in Waterloo.

At Princeton, Illinois, Mr. Green was united in marriage to Miss Louisa A.
Bunn, a native of Peoria, Illinois, and a daughter of Peter Bunn, who passed
away in the Prairie state. Mr. and Mrs. Green have six children, three sons
and three daughters, as follows : B. F. is engaged in the automobile business at
Decatur, Illinois ; George 15. , engaged in the insurance business in association
with his father, is married and has three children, Maxine, Edwin and Louise ;
C. R. is also associated with his father in the insurance business; Nellie N., a
high-school graduate, is at home; Susie L. gave her hand in marriage to Floyd
McRae, of Kansas City, Missouri ; and Mrs. Plannah M. Couch, a widow,
lives with her father and has two children, Margaret and George R.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church. Well
known in the county where he has so long resided, Mr. Green has won uniform
trust and goodwill by reason of a life which in all of its phases has been straight-
forward and honorable.

R. J. HOXIE.

Waterloo has developed with marvelous rapidity in the last decade and has
become an important industrial and commercial center. The spirit of progress
and advancement is rife in its business circles and among the alert, energetic and
progressive men of Waterloo is numbered R. J. Hoxie, the secretary and man-
ager of the Waterloo Fruit & Commission Company. His birth occurred in
Barclay township. Black Hawk county, on the ist of April, 1879, his parents
being Hiram B. and Ruth (Pierce) Hoxie, both of whom are natives of central
New York. They were married, however, at Mount Carroll, Illinois, while on
their way to Black Hawk county, Iowa. After reaching his destination Hiram
B. lioxie purchased a farm in Barclay township and devoted his energies to gen-
eral agricultural pursuits for a number of years, remaining upon that property
until 1888, when he was elected to the office of county sheriff and removed to
Waterloo, where he has since resided. He continued to occupy that position
for four terms, his capability and loyalty, manifest in the prompt and fearless
manner in which he discharged his duties, leading to his election again and
again. Subsequently he became associated with the Waterloo Fruit & Com-
mission Company as traveling buyer but during the past two years has lived
retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.

R. J. Hoxie spent his boyhood and youth in his native county and supple-
mented the work of the grammar grades in the public schools of Waterloo by
a course in the East high school, from which he was graduated with the class
of 1897. Thus qualified for a business career, he began earning his living the
following year as an employe of the Chicago Great Western Railroad Company,

334 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

his position being a minor one. The following year he served as night call boy
for the Illinois Central Railroad Company and in 1899, on the organization of
the Waterloo Fruit & Commission Company, he entered its employ and gradu-
ally worked his way upward from a humble position to that of secretary and
general manager of the company, to which he was elected in January, 191 3.
He now acts in the dual capacity and is directing the interests of one of the
important commercial enterprises of the cit)^ He is thoroughly acquainted with
every phase of the business, which he mastered in principle and detail as he
worked his way upward. His administrative direction results in success and
his executive control has brought about a careful systemization of the business
that results in judicious purchases, profitable sales and economic management
of every phase of the business.

In 1904 ^Ir. Hoxie was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Artz, of Bur-
lington. Iowa, by whom he has two children, John A. and R. Hiram. Mr.
Hoxie is well known in fraternal circles as a member of Waterloo Lodge, Xo.
290. A. F. & A. ^L. and of the Knights of Pj-thias lodge. He also belongs to
the \\'aterloo Commercial Club. 'He and his wife are members of the Congre-
gational church and their influence is always on the side of right and order,
truth and justice. ^Ir. Hoxie is also interested in all those public affairs which are
a matter of civic virtue and civic pride and cooperates in ever)' movement for the
public good, although he has never been an office seeker, preferring to concen-
trate his efforts rather upon his business affairs.

C. R. HUTCHESOX.

The position of C. R. Hutcheson in business circles is somewhat unique in
that he is president and manager of the Corn Publishing Company, publishing
the only corn magazine in the world. Moreover, his enviable position in the regard
of his fellow townsmen is largely indicated in the fact that he has been honored
with the presidency of the Town Criers Club and is now the chief executive of
that organization.

Mr. Hutcheson is a native of Cedar county, Iowa, and in the pursuit of his
education was graduated from the high school at Springdale, after which he
entered Ames College and completed a course in the agricultural department by
graduation with the class of 1912. When at Ames he was manager of the col-
lege pubhcation and thus made his initial step toward the work in which he is
now engaged. He came to Waterloo in January, 191 2, and in partnership with
two others established the Com ^^lagazine. Since that time, however, he has
bought out the interests of his partners and is now conducting the only publica-
tion of the kind in the world. He is a student of the signs of the times in rela-
tion to the field covered by the Com Magazine and he has made his publication
of great value to those who wish information along that line. Moreover, he is
the president of the Hutcheson Realty Company, which owns and controls con-
siderable property. He is a man of determined purpose. carr\'ing forward to
successful completion whatever he undertakes. His plans are carefully formu-
lated and promptly executed and he possesses enlightened and broad-minded

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 335

views. He recognizes specific needs along the distinctive line chosen for his
life work and his has been an active career, in which he has accomplished
important and far-reaching results.

Mr. Hutcheson is a contributing factor to the grow'th, development and
progress of his city as is indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Cham-
ber of Commerce and also of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and
cooperates heartily in the plans and projects put forth by those organizations
for the benefit and upbuilding of the city and the extension of its business con-
nections. He is likewise a member of the Waterloo Club and of the Town
Criers Club, of which he is now the president. One who knows him well,
speaking of him in the common parlance of the day said- "He is a live wire.
What he attempts he will do and the doing is usually of significance to the city."

A. T. WHITTLE.

A. T. Whittle is engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in Waterloo.
In former years he was identified with agricultural interests in Benton county
but has retired from the work of the farm to concentrate his energies upon the
business that now claims his attention. Xew England claims him as a native
son, his birth having occurred in York, Maine, in 1868. He spent a portion of
his youth in that section of the country and in 1883. when fifteen years of age,
left the Pine Tree state for the middle west, settling first upon a farm near
Mnton, Iowa. From that time forw^ard until a period of two decades had been
covered he was engaged in general agricultural pursuits and became the owmer
of a farm in Benton county, which he cultivated and improved until 1904, when
he sold his land and removed to AA'aterloo, where he has since operated in the
field of real estate and insurance. He confines his attention largely to specu-
lative building, erecting dwellings for sale. He has thus built and sold forty-
five dififerent residences in three years and has added much to the development
and improvement of the city. He studies the question of building from the
standpoints of comfort, utility and beauty, and in his operations he has enhanced
the fine appearance of the city through the class of buildings which he has erected.
He also handles farm land beside city propert}' and at all times he is the ow^ner
of much valuable acreage as well as a number of residences. His own home is
one of the attractive places of Waterloo, pleasantly situated at the corner of
Eleventh and Hawthorne streets.

In 1889 Mr. ^^^hittle vras united in marriage to Miss Louie E. Williamson,
a native of Harrisburg. Indiana, and a daughter of Daniel ^^'i^iamson. She
came to Iowa wath her parents in 1870. To Air. and Mrs. Whittle have been
born nine children. Harold F., who was born in 1891, is a graduate of the
Northwestern L^niversity of Chicago and is now assistant industrial promoter
of the Association of Commerce of Chicago. Gladys is also a graduate of the
Northwestern University and is now principal of the school of Coggon, Iowa,
where she is teaching Latin and German. Glenn C. is a student in the North-
western University. Lucile is attending school and expects to graduate from
the high school of Waterloo with the class of 191 5. Elizabeth. Doris. A. T., Jr.,

336 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

and Helen are all pupils in the graded schools of Waterloo, and Darlyne Bryan
completes the family.

Mr. Whittle and his family are of the United Brethren faith, holding mem-
bership in the church in Waterloo. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons
and Odd Fellows and has passed through all the chairs in both organizations.
His political allegiance is given the democratic party, and he is an active worker
in its ranks, doing all in his power to further its growth and extend its influence,
yet never seeking nor desiring public office. His has been an active and useful
life and in the years of his residence in Black Hawk county he has won many
friends who esteem him highly for his sterling personal worth.

JAMES T. CANNON,

James T. Cannon is engaged in the real-estate business at Waterloo and
transacts a large volume of business each year. He was born at Chester, Iowa,
on the 9th of August, 1874, a son of James and Eliza (Noonan) Cannon. His
maternal grandmother lived to the very remarkable age of one hundred and
right years and his maternal grandfather lived to be eighty-five years old. IJoth
i\lr. and Mrs. James Cannon were born in County Clare, Ireland, but were
married in this county. The former emigrated to America when seventeen years
of age and located in Wisconsin, where he was employed upon the rivers, but
subsequently emigrated to Iowa. In 1874 he went to Howard county, this state,
and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he made his
home until about 1895. He then removed to Cresco, Iowa, and is now living
there, enjoying well deserved leisure, as he has retired from active business life.
He is eighty years of age and his wife, who also survives, is seventy years old.
They became the parents of twelve children: Harry, a physician and surgeon of
St.. Paul, Minnesota ; Edward, who is chief counsel for the Northern Pacific
Railroad Company in the state of Washington and resides in Spokane ; Mary,
the wife of M. A. Montague, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Rice-
ville, Iowa; Lydia, the wife of P. M. Daley, who is employed by the govern-
ment at Washington, D. C. ; John, who is assistant counsel for the Northern
Pacific Railroad and resides at Spokane; Margaret, the wife of F. J. O'Rourke,
a newspaper editor of Rockf ord, Illinois ; George, who is general agent for a
life insurance company and resides in Spokane; James T., of this review; Mar-
cella, the wife of Thomas Garrity, who resides in Valdez, Alaska, where he is
serving as deputy United States marshal and also engaged in mining ; Theresa,
a i)ublic-school nurse residing at St. Paul, Minnesota; Katherine, who is at
home with her parents; and Michael, the ninth in order of birth, who died at
the age of fourteen months.

James T. Cannon had but meager educational opportunities, but his native
intelligence and habit of close observation have enabled him to acquire a good
general knowledge. He remained upon the farm with his father until he
attained his majority and then went west, being employed in a smelter in Ana-
conda, Montana, until 1898. He then enlisted in Company K, First Montana
Infantry, for service in the Spanish- American war and was with the colors in

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 337

the Philippines. After being ni the army for eighteen months he was mustered
out at San Francisco and then went upon the road as a traveling salesman with
headquarters at Chicago.

After spending about six years in that way Mr. Cannon entered the life
insurance field. He came to Waterloo in 1910 and engaged in the real-estate
business. He had previously spent three years with large real-estate concerns
in the northwest, and this experience has proved of great value to him. He is
manager of the James T. Cannon Land Company, which handles local lands,
and realty in others parts of Iowa and in Minnesota and Dakota. He is an
excellent judge of the value of a tract of land and as his business methods are
up-to-date and efficient he derives a handsome income from his operations in
real estate. He is also manager of a branch office of the Iowa Serum Company
and devotes much time to his work in that connection.

Mr. Cannon was reared in the faith of the Roman Catholic church and has
never departed therefrom. In politics he is a democrat. He has found the
real-estate business congenial and well adapted to his talents and has been very
successful in that line of activity. His integrity has never been questioned and
his personal friends are many.

LOUIS J. LAURITZEN.

Louis J. Lauritzen is president of the Lauritzen Construction Company,
Incorporated, and of Lauritzen & Wasson, Incorporated, building contractors
of Waterloo. His is the record of a strenuous life — the record of a strong
individuality, sure of itself, stable in purpose, quick in perception, swift in
decision and energetic and persistent in action.

A native of Denmark, Mr. Lauritzen was born on the 8th of September,
1867, and is a son of Anders and Johane ( Johansen) Lauritzen, both of whom
died in Denmark. In the public schools of his native country the son acquired
his education and in 1886, when nineteen years of age, bade adieu to friends
and native land and sailed for the new world. He made his way first to Man-
kato, Minnesota. He had previously learned something of the bricklayer's
trade under the direction of his father, who, however, desired his son to become
a farmer ; but the work of tilling the soil was not congenial to him and after
arriving in America he took up the bricklayer's trade, finding employment with
Thomas Russell, in whose service he remained for three years. Subsequently
he continued work at the brick-mason's trade in Minnesota and Wisconsin until
1894, when, in, company with his brother John, he engaged in the contracting
business for himself at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, as a member of the firm of
Lauritzen Brothers.

In 1904 he came to Waterloo and the partnership between the two brothers
was continued for two years thereafter. In 1906, however, their business con-
nection was dissolved and Louis J. Lauritzen conducted his interests inde-
pendently for five years. In 191 1 he entered into partnership with Charles Was-
son and the firm of Lauritzen & Wasson was incorporated, with Mr. Lauritzen
as president of the company. In May, 1914, he was the organizer of the Laurit-

338 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

zen Construction Company, of which he was also made president. The two
corporations are separate and distinct and both are operative, conducting good
business. Mr. Lauritzen decided to locate in Waterloo through receiving the
contract for the building of the postoffice in this city. After the completion of
this important contract he saw a future for himself in his field of labor here
and determined to make Waterloo his permanent abode. Since that time many
buildings have been erected by him independently or as a member of the two
companies with which he is now associated. These include the John Fisk school,
the McKinley school, the Emerson school, the Home Park school, the Congre-
gational church, the First Methodist Episcopal church, the Grace Methodist
Episcopal church, which is the finest and largest church edifice in the state, the
Hildebrandt fiats and the Goodrich fiats. He also built two infirmary hospitals
lor the state, one at Independence and one at Cherokee, Iowa, the First Meth-
odist Episcopal church at Muscatine, the Central Presbyterian church at Rock
Island, Illinois, the United Presbyterian church at Winfield, Iowa, the United
Presbyterian church at Traer, the high school at Manchester, the O'Brien
County Plome at Primghar, and at the present time the Lauritzen Construction
Company is building" the Rose Hill school in Waterloo and the high school
budding at Colesburg, Iowa. No further evidence need be given of the fact
that Mr. Lauritzen stands as one of the leading contractors in his section of
the state, so many and important have been the contracts which have been
awarded him.

In 1891, at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, Mr. Lauritzen was joined in wedlock
to Miss Marie Hanson, who is a native of Schleswig-Holstein, and came to the
United States in 1888. They now have three daughters, namely: Mamie,
Agnes and Georgie.

Fraternally Mr. Lauritzen is identified with the following organizations :
Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M. ; Fergus Falls Chapter. R. A. M. ; and
Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P., of Waterloo. Mrs. Lauritzen is a member of the
Christian Science church. Mr. Lauritzen exercises his right of franchise in
support of the men and measures of the republican party, but while he keeps
well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is ever ready to sup-
port his position by intelligent argument, he does not seek nor desire ofiice.
His business affairs make full demand upon his time and energies, and he has
made steady advancement, becoming a prominent figure in industrial circles yet
without allowing personal interest or ambition to dwarf his public spirit or
activities.

W. E. ROBINSON.

W. E. Robinson is secretary and treasurer of the Headford Brothers &
Hitchins Foundry Company of Waterloo. He became connected with this com-
pany when a lad of but fifteen years and throughout the intervening period to
the present time has gradually advanced until he has reached his present posi-
tion. He was born in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1883 and»pursued a public-school edu-
cation to the age of fifteen years, when he entered the employ of the Headford

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 339

Brothers & Hitchins Foundry Company at Dubuque. He has continued with
the business for sixteen years and gradually has worived his way upward,
advancement coming to him in recognition of his diligence, his determination
and his sterling worth. For the past year he has been secretary and treasurer
of the company and therefore has voice in its management and in shaping and
directing its policy. In 1903 the plant was removed from Dubuque to Waterloo,
where the business has since been continued. The foundry is well equipped with
modern machinery and the output is most marketable, finding a ready sale by
reason of the durability and excellence of the manufactured articles.

In 1909 Mr. Robinson was married to Miss Maude Brunk, of Des Moines,
and they have two children, William Charles and Mary Elizabeth. The parents
are members of the Central Christian church and Mr. Robinson is serving on
the official board. He is a third degree Mason and in his life exemplifies the
spirit of the craft and the teachings of the church, for he is ever loyal to the
cause which he espouses. He is yet a young man but has already attained a
position that many a one of twice his years might well envy and his salient
characteristics are such as to make it an easy matter to prophesy further advance-
ment in the future.

HARRY KRENSKY.

Harry Krensky, engaged in the grocery business at Waterloo, was born in
the town of Austrine, Russia, May 25, 1874. He there attended school and
when but a boy began to earn his own living. His father was a hotel keeper.
The son left school at the age of fourteen and when sixteen years of age came
to the United States with the intention of building up a business and assisting
his parents at home. He sailed from Hamburg on the steamship Hannah and
landed at New York, whence he went to Boston. There he found work as a
clerk in the store of his uncle, R. Krensky, clerking without pay for a year and
afterward receiving ten dollars per year. Later he drove a wagon for one year
and at the end of that period bought a grocery store, which he conducted for a
year. He then sold out and secured employment in a tin shop. Still later he
worked in a tailor shop, making ladies' waists, and in order to get along he
shined shoes and did anything that would bring him in an honest dollar. He
afterward engaged in bottling pop and in this way and that he struggled on,
trying to gain a financial foothold. About that time his father came to the new
world and with him Mr. Krensky went to New York, where he began clerking
in a grocery store for five dollars per week, sleeping behind the counter. He
worked his way upward until he was given a salary of ten dollars per week and,
saving his earnings, he purchased a grocery store and also ran a bakery wagon,
making as high as fifty dollars per week. He spent three years on the wagon
and afterward entered the employ of the Fleischmann Yeast Company, represent-
ing that concern as a salesman at a salary of twenty-five dollars per week. Still
later he was employed in the wholesale grocery house of Francis H. Leggett as
manager, continuing in that position for a year and a half. He was next con-
nected with the Jersey Model Baking Company of Hoboken. New York.

340 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

On the 13th of September, 1903, in New York, Air. Krensky was married to
Miss Julia Rubenowich, a daughter of Samuel Rubenowich. She was born in
Gradnow, Russia, and came to the United States with her sister Mayme, who is
now the wife of Morris Rosenbloom, who was born in Welney, Russia, Febru-
ary 15, 1884, and when seven years of age was brought across the Atlantic to
Boston, where he attended school. He afterward followed various employ-
ments and in February, 1910, came to Waterloo, where he has since been in
the employ of Mr. Krensky. To Mr. and Mrs. Rubenowich have been born
three children. Mr. and Mrs. Krensky have become the parents of four chil-
dren, Jennie, Esther, Isadore and Annie.

At the time of Mr. Krensky's marriage his wife assisted him to the extent
of two hundred and fifty dollars, which he wisely invested. Leaving Hoboken,
he purchased a store at No. 420 Vv^illis avenue, New York, and conducted it
for three years. He then came to Waterloo, having sold his store, which brought
him a profit of four hundred dollars. When he came to W^aterloo he had one
thousand dollars and this he invested in a stock of groceries, opening his present
store. He has since conducted a growing and profitable business, and he has a
livery and sales stable in connection therewith. He likewise owns property
and as the years have gone by he has met with substantial and gratifying success,
so directing his efforts that he is now numbered among the substantial merchants

of the city.

Mr. Krensky is a member of the Jewish church and also has membership
in the Order Brith Abraham. His political allegiance is given to the republican
party, and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so
that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument. He deserves
much credit for what he has accomplished, for he has been dependent entirely
upon his own resources, working his way upward through persistent and inde-
fatigable energy, seeking the assistance of no one and depending entirely upon
his own labors for the position to which he has attained.

GEORGE TUTHILL.

George Tuthill is the proprietor of the Cedarcroft Farm, an attractive and
valuable property situated on section 36, Washington township. There he car-
ries on general farming and stock-raising and he was also a pioneer nurseryman
of the county, having established a nursery which he conducted two or three
years before the outbreak of the Civil war. He is now one of the venerable
citizens of this section of the state, having passed the eighty-second milestone
on life's journey. He was born in 1832, near Scranton, Pennsylvania, his par-
ents being Nathaniel and Fannie (Smith) Tuthill, both of whom were natives
of Orange county. New York. In 1827 Nathaniel Tuthill removed to Pennsyl-
vania and resided there for thirty years, after which he went to western New
York, passing away at King Ferry, Cayuga county, that state, when eighty years
of age. To him and his wife were born eight children, of whom six have passed
away, the others being George, of this review, and Mrs. Fannie Chase, whose
home is in Albany, Oregon.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 341

George Tuthill spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental
roof and acquired a pubhc-school education. He came to Iowa in 1855 and to
Black Hawk county in 1856 and following the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted
for service as a member of Company K, Third Iowa Infantry. He went to
the front and was with his command for three and a half years, participating in
a number of hotly contested engagements which led up to the final victory that
crowned the Union arms. After his discharge he made his way back home and
settled upon the farm which he had purchased previous to the war, having
owned it since i860. He then discontinued the nursery business, for his nursery
stock had been largely destroyed during the time which he spent at the front in
defense of the Union. After his return he concentrated his energies vipon farm-
ing and stock-raising and his labors have been attended with gratifying results.
He has improved and developed two hundred acres of land situated on section
36, Washington township. Black Hawk county, and eighty acres in Bremer
county. The tract was wild prairie when it came into his possession but his
labors have wrought a marked transformation and the land today constitutes
one of the highly cultivated properties of Washington township. He is also
the owner of city real estate in Cedar Falls, having made judicious investments
in property there. He also located two of his sons in Kossuth county upon a
half section of land which is now owned by his son, Edgar F. Tuthill.

It was in 1857 that Mr. Tuthill was united in marriage to Miss Christina
Anderson, who was born in Canada and was of Scotch parentage. They had
a family of three sons: George, who is now Hving in Pasadena, California, and
is connected with the United States mail service; Edgar F., who is living in
Kossuth county, Iowa, where he owns a farm of four hundred and eighty acres
of valuable land ; and Fred, who is operating the old homestead.

Mr. Tuthill is liberal in his political views. He served for three years as a
member of the board of county supervisors, in which connection he discharged
his duties with promptness and fidelity. He has never been neglectful of the
duties of citizenship and his cooperation has proven an element in the work of
advancement along lines contributing to the general welfare. He holds mem-
bership with the Grand Army of the Republic and has ever been as true and
loyal to. his country as when he wore the nation's blue uniform upon the battle-
fields of the south. At the age of eighty-two years he is living practically
retired, yet he keeps in touch with the work of the farm and the questions of
the day and he enjoys the respect, confidence and good-will of all who know him.
Many changes have occurred since he came to the county and he is classed with
those who have brought about the present agricultural development of this
section of the state.

WILLIAM F. NATION.

William F. Nation, a retired farmer living in Waterloo, is a native lowan
and an old soldier. Moreover, he has had vast and wide experience, having
spent a long time in the saddle as a cowboy, while in Colorado and Nebraska in
.frontier days he was a member of the band of vigilantes formed to crush out the

342 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

crime that was then rampant. He was born upon a farm in Center Point town-
ship, Benton county, Iowa, August 25, 1844. His father, Joel Nation, a native
of Virginia, died in Benton county. His mother bore the maiden name of Mary
A. Gritten, and her father was one of the soldiers of the American army in the
Revolutionary war.

William F. Nation was born on the banks of the Cedar river and the localtiy
is very dear to him, for he has spent the greater part of his life along that beau-
tiful stream. In early manhood he went to the west and he saw the hard life
with all of its roughness and its crime when horse thieves and bandits inaug-
urated a reign of terror. His birth occurred on the deadline between the white
and the red men and in his early childhood he saw fifty Indians to one white
settler. Flis opportunities for an education were only such as could be secured
in the little old schoolhouse with its hewed log benches. His father died when
William F. Nation was but five years of age and the mother, left with a family
of three children, kept the little ones together for a year or so. On one occa-
sion the Indians manifested such hostility that in the night, with her three
children, she fled to a neighbor's, going two and a half miles through the snow.
The father had taken up one hundred and sixty acres of land before his death
and upon that claim the mother lived and strove to bring up her family. When
William was seven years of age she removed to a farm at Center Point and an
older brother then began w'orking out, but William F. was still so small that
he could do little. The first year that he worked he received one hundred bushels
of corn in compensation for his service. The following year he was employed
at eight dollars per month. Flis w^ages were increased as he grew older and more
efficient, but there were many years in which the family struggled hard for a
living. The mother eked out their scanty income by doing washing for the
neighbors. Later, however, she became the wife of Gabriel Sayer, and about
that time William F. Nation left home and worked for others. After his sister
married he worked for his brother-in-law.

Following the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in September, 1862,
when a youth of eighteen, as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Second
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for nine months. He was
taken prisoner at Bowding Green, Kentucky, but was paroled at the end of three
days by Captain George H. Ward, who said he would rather fight than feed
the Union men. lie started them for the Ohio river and finally Mr. Nation
reached Springfield, Illinois, where he reported to his officer, showing him his
parole papers. The officer wished to put him on garrison duty until the close
of the war, but Mr. Nation said: "No! Shoot me or send me to my regiment."
He finally skipped out and made his way to the depot. A lieutenant told him
to try to enlist in the cavalry, which he did. Fie was sent to Peoria, but owing
to the fact that he was out on parole, could not serve and returned home. He
found his mother in destitute circumstances. Before he went to the war he
gave her his two cows and a yearling heifer, which was all the live stock he
had. Upon his return he went to work in the woods, but his spirit of patriotism
would not allow him to remain contentedly at home and in the fall of 1862 he
came to Waterloo and enlisted in Company G, Ninth Iowa Cavalry, serving for
two years under Captain Montague. The regiment was attached to the Western
Department of the Seventh Army Corps under General Steele. Mr. Nation

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 343

enlisted at that time under the name of WilHam FrankHn, for on account of
his parole he could not enlist under his own name.

At the close of the war Mr. Nation went on horseback with three others to
Falls City, Nebraska, and ranged all through that country. On reaching Falls
City he spent his last fifty cents for a dinner. He told the landlord of his finan-
cial straits, however, and was allowed to remain at the hotel until he could get
work. He was first employed to conduct a saloon for a proprietor who was sick
and went away. Afterward he did any work that he could secure. While in
the saloon he was made a member of the vigilance committee for running down
bandits, horse thieves and other lawbreakers who terrorized the country. His
partner in this work was a half-breed Indian, Henry Boyer, and the first cap-
ture made was one of their own company. There were many exciting incidents
and episodes connected with this service in the west and there are few who have
a more vivid picture of life in those strenuous times than has been imprinted
upon the memory of Mr. Nation.

On Christmas day of 1867, at Toddville, Linn county, Iowa, Mr. Nation
was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Newman, a daughter of Perry and
Elizabeth Newman. They established their home in the following spring upon
a little farm near Toddville and after three years removed to another farm in
the same locality. A year later Mr. Nation returned with his family to Benton
county and for a year rented a farm. He afterward lived in Tama county,
residing in Geneseo township and later in Buckingham township for four years.
At length he sold his farm and removed to Waterloo.

While living upon the farm in 1876, Mr. Nation lost his first wife and in
1877 married again, his second union being with Miss Sara A. Bowers. Follow-
ing her death he wedded Eva S. Parsons. There were three children by his
first marriage, one of whom is deceased, the others being: Ora, living in Cedar
Rapids; and Oma in Tama county. The children of the second marriage are:
Ernie, of Tama county; Olive, the deceased wife of John McBride; Walter,
living in Tama county; Mamie, the wife of Henry Henning; William, of Cedar
Rapids ; Sadie, the wife of Ray Bowers, of La Porte City, Iowa ; Pearl, the
wife of Joseph Ferris, of South Dakota; and Jesse, living in Tama county.

Mr. Nation has had an eventful life, filled with many interesting and some-
times exciting experiences, and is thoroughly familiar with the development of
the west and its upbuilding. Whatever success he has achieved is attributable
entirely to his own labors, and he has so directed his business afifairs that he
is now the possessor of a comfortable competence.

A. J. KNAPP.

A. J. Knapp, conducting a substantial business under the name of the Water-
loo Monument Company, was born in Haverhill, New Hampshire, January 2,
1877, a son of Frank H. and Mary E. (Tarleton) Knapp, both of whom were
also natives of Haverhill. The father devoted his life to farming and died at
the place of his nativity in 191 1, but the mother still survives.

344 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

A. J. Knapp was educated in the public schools and at the Haverhill Aca-
demy, and following the completion of his course in that institution he took up
the study of pharmacy, serving an apprenticeship at the druggist's trade. After
a time, however, he abandoned the drug business and engaged in the granite
business, purchasing an interest in the Carswell, Wetmore Granite Company of
Barre, Vermont, acting as sales manager. He was also for a time identified
with a wholesale granite firm in Boston and spent one year with M. H. Rice
of Kansas City, after which he returned to Barre, Vermont. That year was
largely devoted to the work of rounding out his training and experience in the
retail monument business, as Air. Rice was then known as the foremost monu-
ment builder, judged from an artistic standpoint, west of the Mississippi river.
In 1912 Mr. Knapp came to Waterloo and established his present business, which
has been developed into one of the important industrial enterprises of the city.
His patronage has steadily grown, and the work of his establishment is now
found in many of the leading cemeteries of this section of the state.

In July, 1907, Mr. Knapp was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Rimbach.
of Boston, Massachusetts, by whom he has one child, Dorothy C. Mr. Knapp
belongs to Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P., and to the \\'aterloo Commercial Club
and Board of Trade. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in
the Universalist church and his political belief in his adherence to the repub-
lican party. While he has been a resident of Waterloo for only a brief period,
he is regarded as one of its representative business men, for energy and enter-
prise are quickly recognized. Since his school days were over his life has been
one of intense and well directed activity in the business world and, advancing
step by step, he is now occupying an important place and enjoying an enviable
reputation in the trade circles of one of the most alive and growing cities of
the middle west.

A. S. HANSEN, M. D.

Dr. A. S. Hansen, a specialist in the treatment of the eye, ear, nose and
throat at Cedar Falls, was born in Denmark on the 5th of April, 1859, a son of
Hans Hansen, who came to the United States in 1873. He made his way to
Kenosha, Wisconsin, where resided some of his sons, who had preceded him
to this country and had become prominent in the business life of that city. The
father's death there occurred in the early '90s.

Dr. Hansen was fourteen years of age when he crossed the Atlantic to the
new world. He had attended the government schools of his native country and
continued his education in the public schools of Kenosha. At the age of eighteen
he returned to Denmark, where he completed his education, spending some
time as a student in Copenhagen and in a private college, from which he was
graduated on the completion of a course in missionary work. He returned to
the United States in 1883 and took up missionary Avork among the Danish peo-
ple of this country, being pastor of the Danish Lutheran church at Cedar Falls
for two years.

DR. A. S. HANSEN

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 347

While making preparation for work in the mission field Dr. Hansen also
studied medicine to some extent and in 1890 he became a student in the homeo-
pathic department of the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated
with the class of 1893. He then located for practice in Cedar Falls and in the
intervening years he has done special work in Chicago whereby he has become
qualified for the department of practice in which he now specializes. In 1902
he took post-graduate work at the New York Post-Graduate Medical School and
at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. In 1903 he went to Europe and
pursued special work in Vienna on the eye, ear, nose and throat. He visited
clinics in various European cities and informed himself concerning the methods
of some of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world, particu-
larly in the line of his chosen specialty. In the late fall of 1903 he returned to
Cedar Falls and is today one of the eminent specialists of Black Hawk county,
conducting a general office practice as an oculist, aurist and laryngologist. He
has expert knowledge of his profession and his ability is widely recognized not
only by the laity but also by fellow practitioners.

In 1884 Dr. Hansen was married to Miss Marie Soelbeck, and to them have
been born four children, Laurentza, Hans, Thorvald and Ernest. The parents
are members of the Danish Lutheran church and Dr. Hansen is connected with
the Commercial Club, cooperating in all of its plans and movements for further-
ing public progress and improvement. Fraternally he is connected with Black
Hawk Lodge, No. 65, A. F. & A. M., the Modern Woodmen of America and
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while along strictly professional lines
his membership is with the Black Hawk County Medical Society, the Austin
Flint Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Med-
ical Association. His broad reading keeps him thoroughly informed concerning
the progress of the profession, particularly in his chosen field of practice, and
his ability has gained him prominence in that connection.

WILLIAM F. BAUM.

Flerding cattle on the prairies at the age of nine years, William F. Baum
is now a partner in the Iowa Cast Aluminum Company of Waterloo, in
which connection he is active in the control and ownership of an important and
growing industry. He was born February 9, 1867, in the city in which he still
makes his home, his parents being John and Angeline (George) Baum. The
father was born in Pennsylvania in December, 1833, while the mother was a
native of Massachusetts. In early life the former was a shoemaker and after
working at the trade for a time spent a number of years upon the road engaged
in selling hardware specialties. In the year 1855 he arrived in Waterloo, which
was then a small town, givin^^ evidence of little commercial or industrial impor-
tance. His remaining days were here passed and throughout the intervening
period of thirty years to the time of his death, which occurred in December,
1885, he enjoyed the respect and goodwill of all with whom he was associated.

His widow still resides in Waterloo and they were the parents of nine children.
Vol. n— 19

348 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

William F. Baum. who was the third in order of birth, attended the schools
of Waterloo and such was the primitive condition here at the time that the
•'little temple of learning" in which he pursued his studies was a log building.
At that time his parents resided upon a farm. He was only about nine years
of age when he began herding cattle and with the money thus earned he pur-
chased his first regular suit of clothes, his garments having hitherto been made
by his mother. He worked for others for a number of years in various ways,
was employed for a time by a manufacturing company and also occupied a
position with the Waterloo Motor Works, continuing with the latter organization
until about 1904, when he formed a partnership with W. W. Kauffer and estab-
lished the Waterloo Brass Foundry. This partnership existed until 1907, when
Mr. Baum took over the interest of his partner and conducted the business
alone until October 10, 1913, when he sold the plant, name and goodwill. He
then organized the Iowa Cast Aluminum Company in connection with W. W.
Kaufifer and A. A. Young. He owns a controlling interest in the company,
which manufactures aluminum cooking utensils and does cast aluminum jobbing
work. Already the business has become an important and profitable industry
and the trade is steadily and rapidly growing. Mr. llaum is also a stockholder
in various other local manufacturing concerns and is regarded as one of the
enterprising, progressive and valuable business men of the city.

In January, 1894, occurred the marriage of Mr. Baum and Miss Rose Seliger,
who was born in Austria, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wendolin Seliger, who
came to America with their family, settling at Cedar Falls. Later they resided
for a time upon a farm but afterwards returned to Cedar Falls. The father
was a shoemaker as well as an agriculturist and he passed away about 1904 in
Cedar Falls, where his widow still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Baum have one
child, Leasa, now attending the high school.

Mr. Baum holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and
in his political views is a democrat, but the honors and emoluments of oiifice
have had no attraction for him, as he has always preferred to devote his atten-
tion to his business affairs. In the latter connection his advancement has been
continuous and it has been by reason of his willingness to work, his untiring
industry and diligence and his perseverance that he has gained the substantial
measure of success which he now enjoys.

F. O. HITCFIINS.

Among the important industrial enterprises of Waterloo is that of the Head-
ford Brothers & Hitchins Foundry Company, of which F. O. Hitchins is vice
president. The business has been conducted in Black Hawk county since 1903
and through the intervening years has steadily grown and developed. It was
originally a Dubuque enterprise and it was in that city that F. O. Hitchins was
born and reared, his natal day being March 9, 1865. He was educated in the
schools of Dubuque and in 1881, when sixteen years of age, entered the employ
of the Iowa Iron Works at Dubuque, there learning the foundry trade. Gradu-
ally he worked his way upward, winning promotion from time to time until

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 349

after eleven years' connection with that line of business he became in 1892 one
of the organizers of the Headford Brothers & Hitchins Foundry Company of
Dubuque.

The business was there conducted for eleven years and in November, 1903,
the plant was removed to Waterloo, where during the preceding summer the
firm had erected a fine cement block building one hundred and twenty by three
hundred feet on Westfield avenue, where Lhey have since been located. In 191 1
they greatly enlarged the scope of their business through the erection of a plant
on Vaughan street one hundred and ten by four hundred and fifty feet.
They employ one hundred and ten men in the plant on Westfield avenue and
about one hundred and fifty in the plant on Vaughan street. Their business has
thus become one of extensive proportions and their manufactured products find
a ready sale on the market. The firm has gained a well earned reputation for
reliability as well as enterprise and from the beginning' they have shown in the
conduct of their business that they realize the fact that satisfied patrons are the
best advertisement.

In 1892 Mr. Hitchins was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Broadhurst, of
Dubuque, and to them have been born two children, Gerrilda Marie and Owen
Stanhope. If one analyzes the life record of Mr. Hitchins it is evident that
earnest, persistent efifort has been the basis of his advancement and growing
success. Starting out m the business world at the comparatively early age of
sixteen years, he recognized the fact that mdustry is the basis of all worthy
advancement and industry became the beacon light of his life, guiding him to
his present creditable position as a representative of the manufacturing inter-
ests of Waterloo.

ALBERT L. ANTON.

Albert L. Anton is a worthy representative of a well known and prominent
pioneer family of Black Hawk county and enjoys recognition as one of the
prosperous and enterprising young agriculturists of the community. He is now
serving as trustee of Big Creek township, where he owns a valuable farm of
two hundred and fifty-two acres in association with his brother-in-law, who
operates the property, Mr. Anton making his home in La Porte City.

His birth occurred in Cedar township, this county, on the 6th of May, 1882,
his parents being William and Sarah (Smith) Anton, the former a native of
Germany and the latter of Wisconsin. William Anton was brought to the
United States by his parents when six years of age, the family first locating in
Wisconsin and a short time later coming to Black Hawk county, Iowa. The
grandfather purchased land in Cedar township and successfully carried on
farming until the year 1889, at one time owning five hundred and sixty acres of
valuable land. William Anton, the father of our subject, was reared and educated
in this county and as soon as old enough started out as an agriculturist on his
own account, renting land in Cedar township from his father. He devoted his
attention to the further development and improvement of the property and at
the time of his father's demise came into possession of a tract of one hundred

350 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

and sixty acres, which he cultivated successfully until the time of his retire-
ment in 191 1, when he purchased a handsome residence in La Porte City, where
he has since made his home. He is now fifty-six years of age, has resided in
this county for a period covering about a half century and is widely and favor-
ably known as one of its prosperous and esteemed citizens. His wife also yet
survives and has a host of friends here.

Albert L. Anton was reared and educated in Cedar township and remained
under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age. Subsequently he cul-
tivated rented land for six years, on the expiration of which period he took up
his abode in La Porte City and embarked in the implement business, conducting
an enterprise of that character for two years. At the end of that time he sold
out and in association with his brother-in-law, August Stahnke, invested in
land in Big Creek township, which they have since owned in partnership, the
latter operating the fariti. Mr. Anton purchased five acres of land and a nice
home in La Porte City and has resided there continuously since.

On the I2th of September, 1906, Mr. Anton was united in marriage to Miss
Minnie Stahnke, a daughter of Herman and Louise Stahnke, both of whom were
natives of Germany. They emigrated to the L^nited States in an early day and
made their way direct to Black Hawk county, the father buying a tract of land
in Big Creek township, which he improved and operated until 1900. The
remainder of his life was spent in honorable retirement at La Porte City, where
he passed away in February, 1912. The demise of his wife occurred in 1899.

Mr. Anton gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now
ably serving as trustee of Big Creek township. His religious faith is that of
the German Evangelical church. He has always remained in this county, and
his life has ever been such as to command and merit the respect and regard of
his fellow townsmen.

G. L. SMITH.

G. L. Smith, one of the leading and successful building contractors of Water-
loo, maintains his offices at No. 628 Washington street and during the four years
of his business activity here has become widely known as a general contractor
for all kinds of structures. He was born near West Union, Fayette county,
Iowa, a son of George and Roxena (Butler) Smith, both of whom are deceased.
The father was a pioneer settler of Fayette county and followed general agri-
cultural pursuits throughout his active business career.

G. L. Smith acquired his education in the country schools of his native
county and after putting aside his textbooks followed farming until twenty-two
years of age. Subsequently he served a five years' apprenticeship as a carpenter
and afterward spent six years in the hardware business at West Union, Iowa.
He next began working at his trade as a carpenter and contractor, being thus
engaged there until 1910, when he came to Waterloo and continued the same
activities on a more extensive scale. He has erected a large number of buildings
in Waterloo and Cedar Falls and now enjoys an enviable reputation as one of
the leading contractors of the former city. Through the able management of

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 351

his interests he has contributed not only to his own prosperity, but his labors
have proven an important element in the material upbuilding and development
of his adopted county.

In 1896 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Holmes, a native
of West Union, Iowa, and a daughter of James and Katurah Holmes. Mr.
and Mrs. Smith have two children: Mildred L., a high-school student; and
Warren H., who is also attending school.

Mr. Smith gives his political allegiance to the democracy bvit has never sought
nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. Fraternally he is identified
with the Knights of Pythias and the Alodern Woodmen of America, while the
religious faith of himself and his family is that of the Methodist Episcopal
church. He possesses many qualities that have commended him to the friend-
ship and kindly regard of all with whom he has come in contact, and he is
numbered among the valued and representative residents of Waterloo and Black
Hawk county.

F. L. CHAMBERLAIN.

F. L. Chamberlain, president of the Chamberlain Machine Works of Water-
loo, is a native of Winthrop, Iowa, born in 1877, ^^'^ is a son of A. M. Cham-
berlain, whose birth occurred in Illinois in 1856. The father was brought to
Iowa by his parents in 1859, his father, Dr. M. A. Chamberlain, settling at
Winthrop, Buchanan county. He was the first physician to locate in that county
and took an active part in the pioneer development and upbuilding of his sec-
tion of the state. A. M. Chamberlain v/as reared in Iowa and with his father
and a brother conducted a general store in Winthrop. About 1889 A. M. Cham-
berlain built the second creamery in Iowa at W^inthrop and later owned and
operated a number of creameries at various points in this state. He was one
of the prominent figures in the development of that industry in Iowa and his
efforts proved a resultant factor in the attainment of success. He was a man
of undaunted energy and determination and in due course of time he garnered
the harvest of his labors, becoming one of the substantial citizens of his sec-
tion of the state. He wedded Ida A. Pulis, who was born in Winthrop, and
they reared a family of three children, of v/hom two are living: Marjorie,
of Waterloo ; and F. L., of this review.

The family was represented in the Civil war by the grandfather. Dr. AI. A.
Chamberlain, who enlisted for service at St. Paul in a Minnesota regiment. It
was assigned to duty in quelling the Indian troubles of the northwest. When
that task was accomplished the regiment was ordered to Dubuque and thence
to Chicago, where it was stationed for some time. Finally, however, it pro-
ceeded southward to Nashville, Tennessee, and from that point entered upon
military operations in the south. Dr. Chamberlain was surgeon and chaplain
of his regmient, thus doing valuable service for the soldiers until mustered out
of the army at the close of the war at Washington, D. C.

F. L. Chamberlain was reared in Winthrop, Iowa, and was educated in the
schools of that place and of Waterloo. For a number of years he was employed

352 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

as a traveling salesman and later became associated with his father, A. M.
Chamberlain, who established the Peerless Cream Separator Company in Water-
loo about 1895. This was one of the Hrst cream separator manufactories in
the west. The son was associated with his father in the business for about
three years, after which he and his father established the Chamberlain Machine
Works, manufacturing cream separators and accessories. This is the only manu-
facturmg concern of its kind in the world. The business was incorporated in
1905 for one hundred thousand dollars. F. L. Chamberlain is the president and
treasurer: 1. A. Chamberlain, vice president, and C. M. Sherrill, secretary.
They built and own their present quarters on Sycamore street, the building
being an L-shaped structure, the main part of which is thirty by one hundred
and twenty feet, with the L forty by eighty feet. The building is two stories
in height and they employ from thirty to seventy workmen. They do a jobbing
business all over the country and they issue annually a seventy-page catalogue
which gives an explicit account of their manufactured product. Of this cata-
logue they send out annually eighty thousand copies. Mr. Chamberlain is also
interested in the Twentieth Century Gas Machine Company.

In 1906 Mr. Chamberlain was united in marriage to Miss Lena Elkin, of
Tuscola. Illinois. He has membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks and he also belongs to the Sons of \"eterans, the Commercial Club and
Board of Trade, and the Town Criers Club. He has always lived in Iowa and
the enterprising spirit which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of
this state has been manifest in his career. Waterloo is rapidly forging to the
front as an industrial center, and Mr. Chamberlain is among those who are con-
triliuting to its welfare and reputation in this connection.

STEPHEN E. FERGUSON.

The name of Ferguson is well known in connection with industrial enter-
prise in Waterloo and Stephen E. Ferguson is one of four brothers, who in a
partnership are conducting a growing and profitable business in the manufac-
ture of well drilling machinery and supplies under the name of the Ferguson
Manufacturing Comi)any. This is one of the more recently established indus-
trial concerns of Waterloo but already has attained substantial success.

Stephen E. Ferguson was born in New York state, May 26, 1866, and was
less than a year of age when brought by his parents to Iowa. An account of
their removal and a more extended mention of the father and mother is to be
found on another page of this volume, in connection with the life history of
Albert R. Ferguson.

Reared upon the old homestead farm in Bennington township, this county,
Stephen E. Ferguson early became familial r with the best methods of tilling the
soil and caring for the crops. During the school sessions he pursued his studies
in one of the district schools of Bennington township and afterward enjoyed
the advantage of further instruction in the State Normal School at Cedar Falls
and also in Cornell College. In early manhood he took up the profession of
teaching, which he followed in the rural schools for a number of years and

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 353

then turned his attention from professional to commercial pursuits by entering
the employ of the Hurst & Corson Grocery Company in the capacity of book-
keeper. Later he engaged in the insurance business for a number of years,
carrying on that business until he joined his brothers in organizing the Fergu-
son Manufacturing Company and establishing the factory which they, now
operate. He represents the firm upon the road as traveling salesman and like
his brothers devotes his entire time to the business. He has secured for the
company many substantial patrons and has contributed in large measure to
the continuous growth of the undertaking.

Mr. Ferguson also owns desirable real estate in Waterloo and farm lands
in Texas. He resides at No. 154 Harrison street. His name is on the mem-
bership rolls of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Court of Honor and
of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, associations which indicate much of the
nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. For almost a
half century he has resided in this county and has been an interested witness
of the changes which have occurred and the work that has been wrought in
bringing the county from pioneer conditions to its present state of development
and progress.

F. J. KOEPKE.

F. J. Koepke is a well known representative of activity in the field of insur-
ance. He handles all kinds of insurance, including lightning, tornado and
burglary insurance on banks, residences and mercantile interests. He also han-
dles surety and fidelity bonds and the working men's compensation. He has
his offices at No. 502 Marsh-Place building in Waterloo and his life is a very
busy one because of the many clients that he has secured and the steady growth
of the business since he embarked in this field of labor.

Mr. Koepke is a native of Germany. He was born October 17, 1855, a son
of Joe and Sophia Koepke. The mother died in Germany and the father after-
ward married again in that country. He cam.e to the United States in 1872
and settled in Denver, Bremer county, Iowa, where he carried on agricultural
pursuits until he had acquired a substantial competence. He then put aside
business cares and took up his abode near Raymond, Iowa, where he passed
away in October, 1888. His widow still survives and is now eighty-nine years
of age. By his first marriage were born two sons: F. J., of this review; and
Henry, who is extensively engaged in wheat-raising in Umatilla county, Oregon.
There vv?as also a daughter, Mary, who became the wife of Conrad Widman
but died in 1913. By the father's second marriage there were two daughters:
Louisa, the wife of Charley Snebly ; and Sophia, who married Christ Venter,
of Black Hawk county, Iowa.

F. J. Koepke came to the L'nited States with his father when seventeen years
of age. In the meantime he had acquired his preliminary education in the schools
of Germany and after reaching Iowa he attended school in Bremer county.
When his text-books were put aside he began farming and after following that
occupation for two years he came to Waterloo, where he served an apprentice-

354 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

ship in the shops of the IlHnois Central Railroad Company, where he was em-
ployed for eighteen years. He then became a traveling salesman for the Water-
loo Gasoline Engine Company of Waterloo, Iowa, and for ten years he operated
a dairy in this city. He then opened an insurance office, handling all kinds of
insurance. He is also now renting houses and dealing in real estate in addition
to other lines of business activity. He has land interests in Minnesota and a
fine home and other residence property in W^aterloo. He is determined and
energetic and brooks no obstacles that can be overcome by persistent, earnest
and honorable effort. He knows that reliable dealing will win public confidence
and that business will result therefrom, and the principles which have guided
him in all of his business dealings are such as will bear the closest investigation
and scrutiny.

In 1883 Mr. Koepke was united in marriage to Miss Alary Proeshold, who
was born at Fort Dodge, Iowa, a daughter of Godfrey and Christina Proeshold,
both of whom were natives of Germany and on coming to Iowa cast in their
lot with the pioneer citizens of Fort Dodge. Mr. and Mrs. Koepke have nine
children : H. C, who is now a minister of the gospel, preaching in Hardin
county; Louise, the wife of E. O. Bertram, of Benton county; Carl C, of
Waterloo, who is with the Schanlan System & Accounting Company of Chicago
and Waterloo ; Alma, who attended the Waterloo Business College and is now
a stenographer in her father's office; L. G., who is manager of the shoe depart-
ment for the firm of Lightbody & Wlngate at Superior, W^isconsin ; Clara, who
is a graduate of the Waterloo Business College and is employed as a stenog-
rapher by I. J. Koover ; Ernest W^., who is with the Fowler Wholesale Grocery
Company ; Flerbert, a student in the high school ; and Helene, who is attending
a German school.

The family are of the Lutheran faith. They reside at No. 233 Alaple street
in Waterloo, and the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many
friends. Mr. Koepke is a democrat in politics but not an office seeker. He is
preeminently a business man, giving the greater part of his attention to his
business interests with the result that success in a creditable measure has at-
tended him.

JAMES R. VAUGHAN.

It is a trite saying but one that cannot be contradicted that there is always
room at the top ; but the g-reat majority of men do not possess the ambition or
the indefatigable energy that enable them to advance beyond their fellows on
the highroad of life. James R. \"aughan, however, is one who, with a nature
that could never be content with mediocrity, has passed on to leadership in those
fields into which he has directed his activities. In Waterloo he is successfully
engaged in business as a dealer in all kinds of farming implements and automo-
biles, and his position in the country is indicated in the fact that he is the presi-
dent of the Dairy Cattle Congress. He has always lived in the middle west and
is actuated by the spirit of enterprise which has been the dominant factor in
the upbuilding of this section of the country.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 355

Mr. Vaughan was born in Henderson county, Illinois, April 24, 1858, and in
1868 his parents, James and Emily (Redman) Vaughan, came with their family
to Black Hawk county, where the father purchased a large tract of land, to which
he kept adding from time to time until at his death he was the owner of eight
hundred and twenty acres of rich, productive and valuable land in Black Hawk
county. For his first purchase of land he paid four dollars per acre and the tract
is now worth at least two hundred dollars per acre. His holdings were all in
one body and are still kept intact as the James Vaughan estate. In addition to
acquiring this extensive farm, which he conducted according to the most modern
and progressive methods, he was extensively engaged in raising and shipping
stock, making a specialty of cattle and hogs, and was also well known as a large
dealer in horses, handling standard bred draft horses. That his judgment was
sound, his sagacity keen and his enterprise unfaltering is a fact indicated in his
continually growing success, which placed him among the prosperous residents
of the county. He died in 1899 ^"d is still survived by his widow, who makes her
home at No. 703 West Park avenue in Waterloo. Her father was Rezin Red-
man, who built the first frame house erected in Burlington, Iowa, owning at that
time all of the land upon which the city of Burlington now stands. James and
Emily Vaughan had a family of nine children, of whom eight reached manhood
or womanhood : Mrs. Richard Holmes, a resident of Waterloo ; James R., of
this review ; Mrs. Jennie C. Petra, the wife of C. A. Petra, of Waterloo ; Mrs.
James Loonan, whose husband is an extensive stock raiser in Orange township.
Black Hawk county ; Mrs. George H. Sawyer, whose husband is public-school
superintendent at Osage, Iowa ; Mathew C, who is engaged in the real estate
business at Waterloo; Arthur C, of Waterloo, who is associated in business
\yith his brother James ; and William G., a commercial traveler of Minneapolis.

James R. Vaughan was a lad of about ten summers when he accompanied
his parents to this county, where he continued his education in the public schools
and also in the State Normal School at Cedar Falls. For a number of years he
successfully engaged in teaching in Black Hawk county and through the period
of his early life gained broad experience along agricultural lines. In October,
1885, he came to Waterloo and bought the farm implement business of Thomas
Cascaden, at which time he organized the firm of Holmes & Vaughan, which
relation existed for five years, at the end of which period he purchased Mr.
Holmes' interest and carried on the business alone until 1912, when it was incor-
porated as the A^aughan Implement Company, with an authorized capital stock
of fifty thousand dollars, of which forty thousand dollars was paid up. The
officers of the company are : James R. Vaughan, president ; Jake Blough, vice
president ; and B. E. Vaughan, secretary and treasurer. They handle a complete
line of farm implements, together with all kinds of heavy machinery and all kinds
of vehicles, including automobiles. They also do a large business in transfer and
storage. The business is conducted along both wholesale and retail lines and
during the season the house is represented on the road by several traveling sales-
men. They make shipments all over Iowa and adjoining states and their trade
Is constantly increasing, theirs being one of the most extensive and important
commercial enterprises of Waterloo. In connection with Thomas Cascaden, Jr.,
Mr. Vaughan purchased a farm of about one hundred acres known as the
Clements farm, which they platted and sold, and the revenue from this went to

356 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

the establishment of factories, which constituted the first move toward the
upbuilding of a greater Waterloo.

While Mr. Vaughan has been a most active factor in business circles and his
success alone would entitle him to mention as a representative citizen of Water-
loo, he has yet found time and opportunity to extend his efforts into those fields
which work for the intellectual and moral progress of the community and has
had marked influence along those lines. He is president of the board of trustees
of Des Moines College, is president of the Baptist state convention of Iowa
and has been most active in furthering the moral progress of the community.
He belongs to the First Baptist church of Waterloo, is a member of its official
board and has been superintendent of the Sunday school for seventeen years.
For a quarter of a century he was the first tenor in the church choir and thus
along musical as well as other lines has aided in the upbuilding of the church.
Fraternally Mr. Vaughan is a Mason and has attained the Knights Templar
degree in the commandery. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias
and he belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, cooperating heartily in its plans
and purposes for the upbuilding of the city. Socially his connections are with
the Waterloo Club and the Town Criers Club.

Mr. Vaughan has been married twice. He wedded Miss Winnie Fish and
following her demise he married Miss Bertha Edwards, a daughter of A. J.
Edwards. He has two sons, James Gordon and Herbert Edwards. The family
is one of prominence in the community, enjoying the high regard of all.

It would be unfair to complete the record of James R. Vaughan without
indicating his interest in affairs relating to the upbuilding of the community
along agricultural lines, this being manifest in the fact that he is now president
of the Dairy Cattle Congress. He has studied various phases of the dairy prob-
lem and has done much to further activity in that field along progressive lines.
In fact, progress has been the keynote of his character in every relation. It has
carried him to the front rank among the business men of Waterloo and has made
him an influential factor in advancing the public welfare. He is honored
wherever known and most of all where he is best known.

WILLIAM H. GIVEN.

Only a year has passed since WilHam H. Given came to Waterloo and yet
in that period he has firmly established himself as an active and progressive
business man, being now assistant general manager of the Waterloo, Cedar
Falls & Northern Railroad Company. A native of Ohio, he was born in Coshoc-
ton on the 2d of June, 1858, and is one of the six sons of Judge Josiah Given,
who was a member of the supreme court bench, serving as a representative of
the highest judicial tribunal of Iowa for twenty years. He was indeed one of
the most eminent jurists of the state and few men have left a more lasting
impression upon the judicial history of Iowa not only because of legal ability
but also by reason of possessing that high character which impresses itself upon
a community.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 357

When a youth of sixteen years W. H. Given entered the railway service as
a messenger boy on the Des Moines & Fort Dodge Railroad, after which he was
connected with that road in different capacities until 1887. During the last two
years of that time he was traveling freight agent with the road. From 1887
until November, 1890, he acted as traveling freight agent with the Chicago, Rock
Island & Pacific Railroad and from 1890 until 1900 was trainmaster for the
Des Moines Valley division of the same road. He was then made superintendent
of the southwestern division and so continued until 1903, when he was advanced
to the superintendency of the Des ^Moines \'alley division and so continued
until 1909. In that year he became superintendent of the Minnesota division
and so remained until June. 19 12. He was then engaged in special railroad
service until September i, 191 3. when he came to Waterloo to accept the posi-
tion of assistant general manager of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern
Railroad. His previous experience well qualified him for the duties of this
position. He is thoroughly familiar with the line of work which he has under-
taken and his efforts have given entire satisfaction to the company.

On the 2d of June, 1892, Mr. Given was united in marriage to Mrs. Carrie
(Mitchell) Drabelie, who is a daughter of Judge John Alitchell, of Des Moines,
and who by her former marriage had one son, J. M. Drabelie. Mr. Given is
well known in Masonic circles. He has attained the Knights Templar degree
in the commandery and has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of
the Mystic Shrine. He holds membership with the Commercial Club and Board
of Trade of Waterloo, with the Grant Club of Des Moines and with the Town
Criers Club of Waterloo. His views of life are sane. He looks at every ques-
tion from a practical standpoint and he sees opportunity for community as well
as for individual advancement. Accordingly he cooperates in plans and proj-
ects for the public good and Waterloo numbers him among its citizens of worth.

CHARLES A. FERGUSON.

Charles A. Ferguson is one of the native sons of Black Hawk county who
has proven his worth in business circles, being now a partner in the Ferguson
Manufacturing Company of Waterloo. He was born upon a farm eight miles
northwest of the city, on which his parents settled when they took up their
abode in this county in 1868. Much of his education was acquired in the dis-
trict schools of Bennmgton township, supplemented by a course in the Waterloo
Business College. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine
of farm life for him during the period of his boyhood and youth and almost as
soon as old enough to handle a plow he began to work in the fields, assisting
also in the planting and harvesting as the years went on. He lived with his
mother upon the old homestead until the family came to Waterloo, after which
he attended school in this city for about a year.

Mr. Ferguson then entered the factory of the Kelley & Tannehill Company
and there remained for about twelve years, working as a machinist and advanc-
ing to the position of shop foreman. His skill and ability gradually increased
until he was given a position of large responsibility. After twelve years' con-

358 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

nection with the house, years in which he enjoyed the full confidence and good-
will of his employers, he resigned his position and joined his brothers in organ-
izing the Ferguson Manufacturing Company for the purpose of manufacturing
well drilling machinery and supplies. Charles A. Ferguson is acting as superin-
tendent of the factory, in which they employ about twenty men, and he devotes
his entire time to this business. The plant is well supplied with modern ma-
chinery needed in their line and Mr. Ferguson's practical experience enables
him to carefully direct the labors of those in his employ.

On the 30Lh of June, 1889, occurred the marriage of Mr. Ferguson and Miss
Alice Cary, who was born in this county, a daughter of Anthony and Julia
(Sheller) Cary, who came to Iowa at an early period in the development of the
central section of the state and settled in East Waterloo township, Black Hawk
county. The father secured a tract of land and engaged in farming, makmg his
home upon the farm until his life's labors were ended in death. His widow-
afterward removed with her family to W'aterloo, where she passed away in
the winter of 191 3. Mr. Cary held various local offices and served on the board
of county supervisors. He was w^ell known as a respected and worthy citizen
and both he and his wife had many friends in the county.

In politics Mr. Ferguson is an independent democrat. He does not feel that
he is bound by party ties and votes as his judgment dictates. He holds mem-
bership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a consistent member
of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is now the owner of good city property
in Waterloo, including his present residence at No. 1714 Franklin street, where
he and his wife delight in extending the hospitality of their home to many
friends.

W. F. EIGHMEY.

Close application to business and intelligently directed effort are bringing to
W. F. Eighmey a creditable and gratifying measure of success as a dealer in
farm implements, seeds, wagons, buggies and harness. His establishment is
located at Nos. 513-15 Sycamore street in Waterloo, and Iowa claims him as
a native son, for he was born in Dubuque county in 1855.

His parents were Calvin W. and Katherine Eighmey, the former a native
of New York and the latter of Germany. In the paternal line the family is of
German and French descent. The parents were married in Illinois, where the
father, following his arrival in the middle west, worked by the month as a farm
hand. Soon after his marriage he removed with his young wife to Iowa and
settled in Dubuque county, where he was employed in the lead mines for a
number of years, making his home at Rockdale. Subsequently he came to
Black Hawk county and settled upon a farm of eighty acres eight miles south
of Waterloo, which he had purchased some years before. He then gave his
attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits and was thus engaged up to the
time of his retirement from active business. In the meantime he had acquired
a substantial competence that was sufificient to supply him with all of the com-
forts and some of the luxuries of life throughout his remaining days. He died

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 359

in Waterloo in the seventy-fifth year of his age and his widow still survives at
the age of eighty years. In their family were five children, of whom four are
yet living: W. F. ; Mrs. H. F. Miller, who resides in Waterloo, Iowa; Frank
]., who is president of the First National Bank of Waterloo; and Charles H.,
who is now engaged in the grocery business in Waterloo. A daughter, Jessie
May, died at the age of five years. ^

W. F. Eighmey acquired his early education in the public schools of Black
Hawk county, while for several terms he was a student at Lenox Collegiate
Institute at Hopkinton, Delaware county, Iowa, and in his youthful days also
learned lessons concerning the value of industry and perseverance. After at-
taining adult age he purchased a farm of seventy acres near his father's home-
stead and began the development and cultivation of his land, living with his
parents until his marriage. He then took up his abode upon his own farm and
•later extended its boundaries by the purchase of an additional tract of one
hundred acres. He then operated and improved this farm but five years later
he rented his land and removed to Hudson, where he embarked in commercial
pursuits, establishing a general store, which he conducted for four years. In
1890 he began clerking in Croak's shoe store, where he continued for a year,
and was afterward employed in a general merchandise store for a year. At the
end of that time he opened a stock of groceries in Waterloo and conducted busi-
ness along that line for several years. Eventually, however, he sold his store
to his brother, purchased a tract of land and platted it, making it an addition to
Waterloo. After he had practically sold off the entire addition he reentered
mercantile circles as a dealer in general farm implements, seeds, wagons, buggies
and harness. The business since its inception has proven profitable and is suc-
cessfully conducted. He is watchful of all details pointing to prosperity and
has ever realized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisements.
He now owns a good residence and a number of other properties in Waterloo
and is also proprietor of a farm of one hundred and forty-seven and a half
acres about five miles northwest of Waterloo. His real-estate holdings are the
visible evidence of his life of well directed energy and thrift and show what
may be accomplished when determination and ambition point out the way.

In 1879 ^^^- Eighmey was married to Miss Clara I. Zanuck, a native of
Dubuque and a daughter of John J. and Agnes Zanuck, who went to Dubuque
with their respective parents in childhood and thus became connected with the
pioneer settlement of that part of the state. They were married there but came
to Black Hawk county about forty-two years ago and fifteen or eighteen years
afterward established their home in Waterloo, where the father engaged in the
manufacture of harness until his retirement from active business life. Having
acquired a handsome competence, he put aside further business cares and in
1883 removed to Nebraska, where both he and his wife passed away. Mr.
Zanuck was a soldier in the Civil war. He enlisted on the 25th of September,
1 86 1, as a member of the Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was mustered
out in 1864, although he remained in the service until the close of hostilities.
Mr. and Mrs. Zanuck were the parents of a large family of children, of whom
five are yet living. This number includes Mrs. Eighmey, who acquired her
education in the public schools of Dubuque and Waterloo and taught school
prior to her marriage, which profession Mr. Eighmey also followed before their

360 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Eighmey have a family of three children: Jessica M.,
the wife of George W. Wood, an attorney of Grundy Center, Iowa ; Isabel, the
wife of David W. Barr, who is connected with the business belonging to her
father; and Earl B., who is a jeweler by trade.

While Mr. Eighmey votes with the republican party, he is nevertheless liberal
in his political views and does not consider himself bound by party ties but seeks
ever the welfare and best interests of the community and is at all times a public-
spirited citizen. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church and they are highly esteemed in Waterloo and throughout this part of
the county. Mr. Eighmey deserves great credit for what he has accomplished in
a business way. No special advantages favored him at the outset of his career;
on the contrary he made industry the basis of his success and through the wise
use he has made of his time, talents and opportunities he has steadily advanced
and is now at the head of a profitable and growing business.

R. W. GIBSON.

R. W. Gibson is the vice president, secretary and treasurer of the Artificial
Ice & Fuel Company and in this connection is active in the control of a business
that has already assumed extensive proportions and is still growing. He has
been a resident of Waterloo for six years but is one of Black Hawk county's
native sons, his birth having occurred in Barclay township in 1881. His parents
were David and Rosanna (Skelly) Gibson, early settlers of this county. Taking
up their abode here in pioneer times, they shared in all of the hardships and
privations incident to frontier life and took an active part in promoting the
practical development of this section of the state. The father devoted his life
to general agricultural pursuits and brought his farm to a high state of
cultivation.

R. W. Gibson was reared on the old homestead and supi)lemented his early
educational privileges afforded by the district schools by study in the East
Waterloo high school. At the time that he was a student there the family lived
in Waterloo but after he had completed his course he returned to the home farm
and there remained until about six years ago. He was recognized as an in-
dustrious, energetic and progressive agriculturist, carefully tilling his fields year
by year and gathering therefrom substantial harvests as the result of the care
and labor which he bestowed upon the land. In 1908, however, he put aside
agricultural pursuits and again came to Waterloo. Here he engaged in the
real-estate business, buying and selling Iowa farm lands. He is still connected
with this business and has negotiated many important realty transfers. He is
thoroughly informed concerning values and is able to make judicious purchases
and profitable sales for his clients. On the ist of March, 1914, he became in-
terested in the artificial ice and fuel business and is now the vice president,
secretary and treasurer of the Artificial Ice & Fuel Company, in which connec-
tion a substantial trade is enjoyed. He is also interested in the Galloway In-
vestment Company.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 361

Mr. Gibson takes an active interest in politics and while living in Barclay
township served as assessor for two years. He gives his political allegiance to
the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the
day. He belongs to the Commercial Club and Board of Trade, an organization
which IS for the advancement and upbuilding of the city. His religious faith
is indicated in his membership in the United Presbyterian church. He is one
of the progressive young business men of Waterloo, possessing unfaltering
energy and keen sagacity. He is determined and accomplishes what he under-
takes, employing methods which neither seek nor require disguise.

ROGER I. CROWELL.

Roger I. Crowell is owner of an important business enterprise conducted
under the name of the Waterloo Ice Cream Company. His record is proof of
the fact that success is not a matter of genius as held by some but is rather the
outcome of sound judgment, experience and indefatigable industry. He was
born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on the 17th of November, 1871, a son of Irving
O. and Mary (Marden) Crowell, both of whom were natives of the New Eng-
land states. With their parents they removed to Wisconsin, the former in
1847 ^"<^1 the latter in 1848, and they were among the pioneer settlers of the
section in which they lived. In early life the father became identified with the
lumber industry, in which he was later extensively engaged, advancing from a
humble place in business circles to one of prominence, his labors being re-
warded by affluence. He is now living retired in Oshkosh at the age of seventy-
nine years, while his wife has reached the age of seventy years, and both are
yet enjoying good health.

Roger I. Crowell was educated in the public and high schools of Oshkosh
and in his boyhood days became a wage earner. He never feared work and
his industry, determination and boyish ambition led him to undertake any task
that presented itself. He carried papers, drove cows to the pasture and did
various chores, thus earning about nine or ten dollars per month when a boy
of but ten years. Subsequently, at the age of fourteen years, he began learning
the candy maker's trade and was identified with that business for four years,
during which period he carefully saved his earnings, and at eighteen years of
age he embarked in the grocery business in Oshkosh on his own account. Suc-
cess attended the venture from the beginning and for ten and a half years he
remained in business there. He then sold out and went to Chicago, where for
a time he was associated with the Oshkosh Fuel Company. He then returned to
the city of Oshkosh and engaged in the bakery business, with which line he was
successfully identified for eight and a half years. He was anxious, however,
to test the opportunities of the west- and, disposing of his business in Wisconsin,
he went to Los Angeles, California, spending some time in that city and in the
San Joaquin valley. Afterward, however, he returned to his native state, but
when a brief period had elapsed went to Houston, Texas, where he intended to
establish an ice cream plant. He made some arrangements to that end, but
subsequently abandoned his plans and started on a return trip to Wisconsin.

362 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

He stopped off at Waterloo, however, and this growing, enterprising city made
such strong appeal to him that he determined to locate here and established his
present business, buying out a small ice cream factory which had been opened
the season before by a Mr. Perry in a small room in the rear of the present
site of the Princess theater.

After purchasing the business Mr. Crowell removed to a room on Sixth
street and in 191 1 his present commodious plant was built for him at Nos. 418
and 420 East Sixth street, where he has one of the best equipped plants in the
state of Iowa. In the process of manufacture the cream is homogenized and
pasteurized, Mr. Crowell installing the first homogenizing machine west of the
Mississippi river. The plant is equipped with an mdependent refrigerating
system and with everything known to modern science in the making of ice
cream. The daily capacity is six hundred gallons* and the output is sold over a
wide territory. Mr. Crowell has no difficulty in disposing of the product
because of its excellence and his reasonable prices. Most sanitary conditions
are maintained in the factory and the business is today one of the important
industries of the city.

Mr. Crowell was married in 1895 ^^ Miss Jeanette Perkins, of Oshkosh,
Wisconsin, and to them has been born a daughter, Dorothy I., who is now a
senior in the high school of Waterloo. Mr. Crowell belongs to Waterloo Lodge,
No. 105, A. F. & A. M. ; Tabernacle Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M. ; Crescent
Council, No. 16, R. & S. M. ; Ascalon Commandery, No. 25, K. T. ; and El
Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., while he and his wife are members of Water-
loo Chapter, No. 128, O. E. S. Mr. Crowell is likewise a member of Helmet
Lodge, No. 89, K. P., the Knights of the Maccabees, the Mystic Workers, the
Waterloo Commercial Club and the Town Criers Club. His political indorse-
ment is given to the republican party and he and his wife and daughter are
members of Christ Episcopal church, in which he is serving as one of the
vestrymen. His entire life has been characterized by advancement since he be-
gan to earn his living by selling papers on the streets of Oshkosh. He early
recognized the eternal principle that industry wins and industry became the
beacon light of his Hfe. He has conducted his affairs successfully without
allowing personal interests or ambition to dwarf his public spirit. His is the
record of a strenuous life — the record of a strong individuality, sure of itself,
stable in purpose, quick in perception, swift in decision, energetic and persistent
in action.

J. H. VAN DYKE, M. D.

Dr. J. H. Yan Dyke, physician and surgeon of Cedar Falls, to whom success
has come as the logical result of broad study, w^de experience and the most
conscientious performance of professional duties, now ranks among the men
most prominent in his calling in this section of the state. He is a western man
by birth, training and preference and his life embodies the progressive spirit
which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the
country.

DE. J. H. VAN DYKE

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 365

Dr. Van Dyke was born in Alexandria, Minnesota, March 12, 1877, a son of
Chester B. and Christina B. (Solum) Van Dyke, the former a native of Pennsyl-
vania and the latter of Christiansand, Norway. She came to the United States
with her parents when a young woman of seventeen years and they settled in
Douglas county, ninety miles beyond the terminus of the railroad. There the
grandfather, L. O. Solum, took up government land and upon the farm which
he developed and improved spent his remaining days. He had been a school
teacher in Norway and in the capacity of teacher there devolved upon him the
duty of vaccinating the children under his charge, preparing his own vaccine
and administering it. This was at an early period following the discovery of
the value of vaccination as a preventive measure.

Chester B. Van Dyke was reared to early manhood in Pennsylvania and
came west to join General Custer, who at that time was recruiting his forces in
the northwest for military service on the frontier. However, his plans were
diverted at St. Paul and he joined his brother James, who was then government
land agent and located at Alexandria, Minnesota. There Chester B. Van Dyke
established the first store of the town and for some years was identified with
merchandising there. In 1881 he removed to Evansville, Minnesota, and subse-
quently to Detroit, that state, where, he had another brother, Milton, who was a
practicing physician of that place. In 1890 he returned to Alexandria, where
his death later occurred. The Van Dyke family have been prominent in Minne-
sota politics. The father was a republican in his political views but all of his
sons are equally stanch as supporters of the democratic party. One of the num-
ber, Carl C. A an Dyke, is now a member of the United States congress from the
St. Paul district and was formerly president of the Tenth Division of Railway
Mail Clerks. Another brother, Cleve W.. served as county superintendent of
schools in Douglas county, 'Minnesota, and in 1901 was the nominee on the
democratic ticket for congress. He subsequently became Governor Johnson's
executive clerk and was a member of Johnson's kitchen cabinet. He is now the
present owner of the townsite of Miami, Arizona, which has three seven-million-
dollar institutions, smelters and concentrators, the district being the second
largest porphyry copper district in the world. He owns there the electric light
plant, the telephone system, the waterworks and about forty buildings. Another
brother, A. A. Van Dyke, is a prominent dentist of St. Paul.

Dr. Van Dyke, whose name introduces this record, completed his more
specifically literary education in the State University of Minnesota and in 1899
entered Rush Medical College, from which institution he was graduated with
the class of 1903. Following his graduation he returned to Minnesota and
became an interne in a private hospital conducted by a Dr. Christiansen. In
1905 he once more went to Chicago, where he taught in one of the minor med-
ical colleges of that city, and during the following three years he pursued the
practice of his profession there.-

On the 14th of April, 1903, Dr. Van Dyke was married in Chicago to Miss
Florence Conkey and unto them has been born a son, John Henry. They left
Chicago in 1908 and came to Cedar Falls, where in the intervening period of* six
years Dr. Van Dyke has built up an extensive and gratifying practice. He is a
member of the Cedar Falls City Medical Society, the Black Hawk County Med-
ical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Asso-
roi. 11—20

366 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

elation and thus he keeps in touch with the advanced thought of his profession.
He belongs to Black Hawk Lodge, No. 65, A. F. & A. M., and he and his wife
are connected with the Order of the Eastern Star. He is likewise a member of
the Modern Woodmen, the Mystic Workers and the Yeomen, and he and his
wife hold membership in the Episcopal church. In politics he is, like his
brothers, a stalwart democrat and is city chairman of the democratic central
committee. He stands for progress and improvement along all public lines, is
a member of the Cedar Falls Commercial Club and is secretary of the Cedar
Falls Business Men's Association, Incorporated.

ALBERT JUSTIN NORTHRUP, Pii. D., D. D.

Albert Justin Xorthrup, Ph. D., D. D., the present pastor of Grace Methodist
Episcopal church and one of the eminent representatives of the ministry in
Iowa, is a native of Ohio and comes of New England ancestry. He was reared
upon a farm in Wood county, Ohio, and completed a course at the high school
at Bowling Green. He was graduated as an honor student with the degree of
Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, and
afterward spent four months in travel in Europe, thus supplementing his educa-
tion by that broad experience and knowledge which only travel can bring. Hav-
ing decided to devote his life to the ministry, he completed the theological course
at Boston University and later that institution conferred upon him the degree
of Doctor of Philosophy in recognition of original research work accomplished.
He also holds the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from the Nebraska
Wesleyan University.

Dr. Northrup's experience as a minister has covered a wide and varied
field. He began preaching in eastern South Dakota and spent six years as
pastor in two of the largest churches in northern New England — Garden Street
church at Lawrence, Massachusetts, and St. John's church in Dover, New
Hampshire. From the latter place he was transferred to the Nebraska con-
ference in September, 1908, and was appointed to the Trinity Methodist church
of Lincoln. Nebraska. In May, 1913, he was transferred to the Upper Iowa
conference and was appointed pastor of Grace church in Waterloo, which is his
present connection. He is an earnest, logical and ofttimes eloquent speaker, is
always inspiring, and in the prosecution of his labors for his church has not
been denied the full harvest nor the aftermath.

W. T. HEADFORD.

W. T. Headford is vice president of the Headford Brothers & Hitchins
p-Qundry Company of Waterloo, owning and operating the largest foundry in
Black Hawk county. The business has been one of the foremost productive
industries of this section of the state since 1903 and in the intervening period
has enjoyed continuous growth, owing to the capable management and enter-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 367

prise of the officers. Mr. Headford is a native son of Dubuque, born October
22, 1867. There he was reared and educated, passing through consecutive grades
in the public schools and supplementing his high-school study by a year's course in
a business college. He entered upon the active duties of life as an employe
in the Novelty Iron Works of Dubuque, with which he was connected for six
years, becoming largely acquainted with business methods as well as the practical
phases of that specific interest during that period.

Mr. Headford learned the foundry trade m all lines and in 1892 became
one of the organizers of the Headford Brothers & Hitchins Foundry Company,
which began business on a small scale in a shop about forty foot square. They
remained in Dubuque until 1903 When they acceded to solicitation and removed
to Waterloo. They had won a well merited reputation for fine work in castings
and the growing business made theirs an institution of value to any community
in which their plant would be located. Accordingly, in 1903, they removed to
W^aterloo and now have the largest foundry in the county. They located on
Westfield avenue in a foundry one hundred and twenty by three hundred feet.
Their business has steadily grown and after some years they built a second plant
on Vaughan street, one hundred and ten by four hundred and fifty feet. This
is supplied with all the most modern equipment known to foundry work in the
present day. They have everything that recent day invention has brought forth
in electric and air hoists and motors. Their business has now assumed extensive
proportions and their large annual shipments are sent over a wide territory.

In 1891 Mr. Headford was united in marriage to Miss Annie Stellenberg,
who was born in Galena, Illinois, and they have two children : Pearl, who is
the wife of Ralph Williams, of Chicago ; and Edward William, who is in the
office at Waterloo. The parents are members of the Congregational church and
Mr. Headford belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the
Royal Arcanum. His friends, and they are many, find him a genial, courteous
gentleman, obliging in manner and kindly in spirit. His business associates find
him alert, energetic and resolute and in his career he has brooked no obstacles
that could be overcome by persistent, earnest and honorable effort. Thus it is
that he has steadily advanced and is now numbered among the leading and
representative business men of Waterloo as vice president of his company.

E. F. RATH.

E. F. Rath is the secretary and treasurer of The Rath Packing Company,
one of the leading industries of Waterloo, devoted to the packing of pork and
beef. This is the only enterprise of the kind in the city and its growing business
is indicated in the fact that there are now two hundred employes.

Mr. Rath is a native son of Iowa, having been born in Dubuque in i860.
His father, George Rath, was a native son of Germany and in 1848 arrived in
this state, casting his lot among the early settlers. He took up his abode in
Dubuque, where he engaged m the pork-packing business, and for many years
was accorded a foremost position among the prominent business men of the

368 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

state. He served on the board of aldermen in Dubuque and was otherwise
connected with public interests. His death occurred in January, 1906.

E. F. Rath was reared and educated in the city of his nativity and after
leaving school became connected with his father in the packing house. He was
also engaged in the hardware business for some time but afterward returned to
the packing business and in 1887 became a member of the firm of George Rath
& Son, meat packers of Dubuque. In 1891 their plant in that city was destroyed
by fire and the same year The Rath Packing Company of Waterloo was or-
ganized and has since been one of the leading productive industries of the city.
The present officers of the company are: J. W. Rath, president; F. J. Fowler,
vice president ; and E. F. Rath, secretary and treasurer. The last named is also
a member of the board of directors of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade,
and chairman of the manufacturers' committee.

Mr. Rath was married in 1891 to Miss Anna Kudobe, of Dubuque, and they
have become parents of four children: Reuben A., who is with The Rath
Packing Company; Ruth E. ; George E. ; and William M.

Mr. Rath is a member of the Presbyterian church, and his influence is always
on the side of progress and improvement, justice and right. Unselfish and re-
tiring, he prefers a quiet place in the background to the glamour of publicity,
but his rare aptitude and ability in achieving results make his advice constantly
sought and often bring him into a prominence from which he would naturally
shrink were less desirable ends in view.

MISS MARGARET CELIA MYERS.

It has been aptly said that this is preeminently the age of woman. The
recognition of her rights is being expressed in enlarged opportunities given to
her through law as well as through public opinion. Her influence is constantly
broadening in scope and into almost every field of legitimate activity she has
extended her efl'orts, attended with good results. It has been at only a com-
paratively recent date that woman has been called to official connection with
the public schools, although through generations she has been active as a teacher.
Black Hawk county has given expression of a public recognition of ability in
choosing Miss Margaret Celia Myers for the position of county superintendent
of schools and under her direction the educational system has been advanced
and improved.

Miss Myers is a native of Aurora. Illinois, and a daughter of Moses R. and
Celia (A roman) Myers, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Wi.scon-
sin. ihey were married in Aliens Grove. Walworth county, Wisconsin, and
following that important event in their lives removed to Aurora, Illinois. In
1 87 1 they came west to Iowa, settling in Black Hawk county upon a farm north
of Waterloo. For several years the father devoted his attention to general
agricultural pursuits but about 1899 ^^^ removed to Waterloo, where his death
occurred in 1909. He was an enthusiastic and zealous republican and, while
never a politician in the sense of office seeking, he was nevertheless an effective
factor in the success of his party. Flis life was ever actuated by Christian teach-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 369

ings and he held membership in the Grace Methodist Episcopal church. He was
a man highly esteemed and loved by those who knew him and the memory of
his upright life remains as a benediction to all with whom he came in contact.
His widow survives and yet makes her home in Waterloo.

Their daughter, Miss Myers, was a student in both the East and West
Waterloo high schools and in the Iowa State Teachers' College. At an early
age she entered upon the profession of teaching and for twenty years was
prominent among the educators of Black Hawk county. With the exception
of a brief period of two years all of her work as teacher has been in this county.
She spent, however, two years in connection with the schools of Manchester,
Iowa. For five years she taught in the country schools, for six years was a
teachei in the Cedar Falls schools and for seven years in the schools of Water-
loo. In 1912 she became the republican nominee for county superintendent of
schools and received an overwhelming majority in the primaries and a large
plurality at the following election. She has proved most capable in the office.
Her work has been most thorough and the school system of Black Hawk county
is second to that of no county in the state. She has worked for the funda-
mentals in education and in her work has embodied the thought of Kant, who
says: "The object of education is to train each individual to reach the highest
perfection possible for him." She has ever recognized the fact that education
is to develop capacity and to this end her efforts have been put forth. She
has recognized another need in the civic life of the community, the need for
the development of the social interests and for a thorough understanding of
present day conditions as bearing upon education and other phases of life. To
this end she has organized township picnics and community gatherings in the
schoolhouses and has had competent lecturers to address these assemblages,
thus doing much to encourage that community interest that makes life attractive
in the rural districts and holds the young people on the farm rather than sending
them to the cities.

Miss Myers is a member of the Grace Methodist Episcopal church. Her
vision of life and its opportunities is broad and her observations are keen and
her deductions sound. She is in touch with that widespread civic spirit which
is seeking the uplift of humanity and the benefit of all classes. She ranks with
tlie able officials of Black Hawk county, is president of the North Central
County Teachers' Association, composed of eight counties, and is one of the
well known educators connected with the public-school system of the state.

PROFESSOR CHARLES W. KLINE.

Professor Charles W. Kline, who for two years has been superintendent of
schools of Waterloo, is guided in all of his work by high ideals and has ever
labored for the adoption of improved standards. His efforts have indeed been
of direct value and worth to the schools of Black Hawk county. His birth
occurred in Marion county, Kansas, on the 6th of October, 1872, his parents
being Levi and Amanda (Long) Kline, the former a native of Ohio and the
latter of Tennessee. The father, who is now living in Marion, Kansas, was

370 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

born near Canton, Stark county, Ohio, September 9, 1843, and about 1849
accompanied his parents on their removal to Huntington county, Indiana. Sev-
eral years later they went to Wabash county, Indiana, and in the fall of 1856
the family home was established in Logan county, Illinois, where they were
living at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war.

Levi Kline enlisted as a private near Broadwell, Logan county, becoming a
member of Company F, Seventy-third Regiment of Illinois \^olunteer Infantry,
on the 5th of August, 1862. He served. until June 25, 1865, lacking but a short
time of completing his full three years' term of enlistment. He was with
the Army of the Cumberland and the first battle in which he participated was
at Perryville, Kentucky. He was with the division commanded by the match-
less Sheridan and served in that division until after the battle of Missionary
Ridge, when he was transferred to the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Kline's
regiment formed a part of the Twentieth Corps of the Army of the Cumber-
land until after the battle of Missionary Ridge, when the Twentieth and Twenty-
first Corps were consolidated as the Fourth, and with that command Mr. Kline
served until the close of the war under different division commanders. After
taking part in the battle of Perryville, October 8, 1862, he became ill with the
measles and was in Nashville, Tennessee, thus incapacitated, at the time of the
battle of Stone River, which was fought from the 30th of December, 1862,
until the 2d of January, 1863. ]\Ir. Kline was in the Chattanooga campaign
and in the battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, September 19 and 20, 1863. He
also took part in the engagement of Missionary Ridge on the 25th of November,
1863, and was in the expedition for the relief of Knoxville, Tennessee. While
on that campaign he became seriously ill and was sent to the hospital at Knox-
ville, Tennessee, where he spent a part of the winter of 1863-4. He was then
transferred to Nashville, Tennessee, later to Louisville, Kentucky, and after-
ward across the Ohio river to Jeffersonville, Indiana. When he was again able
for duty he rejoined his regiment, at which time the army was near Atlanta.
He assisted in the capture of that place and with his regiment moved south of
the city and aided in destroying all the railroads. He took part in the battles
of Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station and after the fall of Atlanta the regiment
to which he belonged was sent back under command of General George H.
Thomas to Nashville, Tennessee. He participated in the battle of Franklin,
November 30, 1864, and later, on the 15th and i6th of December of the same
year, he participated in the battle of Nashville, which terminated the war for
the Army of the Cumberland. After that battle the Fourth Army Corps fol-
lowed what was left of Hood's army as far south as Huntsville, Alabama, where
they went into winter quarters. In March, 1865, the Fourth Army Corps was
sent to eastern Tennessee, near the A^irginia border, and was there stationed
when the news of Appomattox was received. When the war was ended they
were sent back to Nashville, where the Seventy-third Illinois was mustered
out. The regiment then returned to Camp Butler, near Springfield, and the
men were discharged on the 25th of June, 1865. Mr. Kline is now a member
of Pollock Post, No. 42, G. A. R.. of the Department of Kansas.

Charles W. Kline supplemented his public-school education by study in the
Kansas State Normal, from which he graduated with the class of 1898, and in
the Kansas State University at Lawrence, in which he completed his course in

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 371

1902, while in 1906 he won the degree of LL.B. upon graduation from the Uni-
versity of Chicago Law School. After the completion of his course in the
Kansas State University he was made principal of the high school of Hutchin-
son, Kansas, which position he occupied for three years, and at the end of that
time was elected superintendent of schools at McPherson, Kansas, where he
remained for five years. In 191 1 he came to Waterloo as principal of the east
side high school and so continued through 191 1 and 1912, when he was elected
superintendent of schools in Waterloo. His preparation for his chosen profes-
sion was thorough and his reputation is well earned. He has made a study of
individual needs and at the same time has carefully studied the curriculum in
order to meet the demands of the public for a broad yet practical education as
a training for the later duties of life. The schools of Waterloo have benefited
much through his efforts and he is able to inspire teachers and pupils with much
of his own zeal and interest in the work.

On the 15th of July, 1907, Professor Kline was married in McPherson,
Kansas, to Miss Florence Upshan, and they have a daughter, Dorothy. They
hold membership in the Presbyterian church and Professor Kline is also a
Master Mason. For three years he was a member of the Kansas National Guard
at Marion, Kansas. His political indorsement has always been given the repub-
lican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he regards
it as the duty as well as privilege of every true American citizen to vote for
the measures which he thinks will best advance the welfare of the country at
large. He is a member of the Commercial Club of Waterloo and as such does
everything in his power to further the interests of the city in which he now
makes his home and which is proud to number him among its residents.

HARRY W. SIGWORTH, M. D.

The demands made upon the medical profession are many. If a lawyer is
brusque and crabbed, it is believed to be because he is intent upon his profes-
sional interests, which are most complex and burdensome. If a minister seems
unsympathetic and remote in manner, it is thought that it is because he is en-
gaged in the contemplation of things beyond our ken. But of the physician and
surgeon we demand not only broad and accurate scientific knowledge but also
keen understanding, thorough sympathy and unabating courtesy. Meeting all
these requirements. Dr. Harry W. Sigworth has gained a creditable position
among the professional men of Waterloo during the seven years of his residence
in this city.

He was born in Anamosa, Iowa, in 1878, a son of Dr. H. W. Sigworth, who
has engaged in the practice of medicine in that place for nearly a half century.
The son was reared in his native city and attended its public schools until he
had mastered the branches which constitute the curriculum there. He after-
ward attended the Iowa State University and completed his professional course
in Rush Medical College of Chicago with the class of 1899. He then located in
Anamosa and entered upon active practice with his father, there remaining
until 1907, when he removed to Waterloo, where he has since followed his pro-

372 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

fession. While he continues in general practice, he does much work in surgery
and he has comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and the component parts of
the human body, combined with that skill and steadiness of nerve which are
so essential in difficult and delicate surgical work. He is now attending surgeon
to the St. Francis Hospital of Waterloo and is district surgeon for the Illinois
Central Railroad. He has specialized to a considerable extent in that field
and his rapidly developing power and ability have already placed him in the
front rank among the leading surgeons of this part of the state.

In 1902 Dr. Sigworth was united in marriage to Miss Daisy Hileman, of
Waterloo. They attend the Congregational church and their home is the
center of a cultured society circle. Dr. Sigworth is connected with several
fraternal organizations, including the Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and in
Masonry he has attained the Knight Templar degree and is also a Mystic
Shriner. All these things, however, are but side issues in a life that is devoted
to a beneficent work for mankind. Along strictly professional lines his mem-
bership is in the Waterloo, the Black Hawk County, the Austin Flint, the Cedar
Valley and the Iowa State Medical Associations. He is fortunate in that he
possesses char?cter ■ and ability which inspire confidence in others, and the
simple weight of his character and ability has carried him into important rela-
tions with professional interests in his adopted county.

THOMAS STEILS.

Thomas Steils is the owner of an excellent farm property on sections 32 and
33, Cedar township. He is among the worthy representatives of agricultural
life that Germany has furnished to this country. He was born in that country,
February 2t„ 1862, a son of John and Mary (Uhren) Steils, who were likewise
natives of Germany. The father there followed farming and never came to the
new world, remaining in active connection with agricultural interests in his
native land until his death, which occurred in June, 1899. His wife passed
away in January, 1914.

Thomas Steils was reared and educated in Germany and began to earn his
living as a farm hand, in which capacity he was employed until eighteen years
of age, when he crossed the Atlantic, attracted by the broader opportunities of
the new world. Making his way at once into the interior of the country, he
became a resident of Gilbertville, Iowa, and secured employment as a farm
hand. He was thus engaged for about seventeen years, after which he rented
a farm for thirteen years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings
until his industry, economy and frugality had brought to him capital sufficient
to enable him to purchase eighty-seven acres on sections ^2 and ^t,. Cedar
township. He at once began improving the tract and now has one of the best
improved places in the county. He has continuously operated this land since
making the purchase and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place is proof
that his methods are practical and that he is actuated by a progressive spirit in
the conduct of his farm work.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 373

In April, 1899, Mr. Steils was united in marriage to Miss Annie McKevitt,
a daughter of Michael and Grace (Thompson) McKevitt, who were natives of
Ireland and came to the United States in the '40s. They settled first in Wiscon-
sin, where they resided until about 1854, when they removed to Black Hawk
county, Iowa, the father purchasing land in Cedar township, whereon he
engaged in general farming throughout his remaining days. He died March 16,
1889, and his wife was called to her final rest on the 19th of June, 1892. Mr. and
Mrs. Steils have become the parents of four children: Joseph, John and Mar-
garet H., who are all attending school; and Grace, who died in June, 191 1.

Mr. Steils is now one of the trustees of Cedar township, which position he
has acceptably filled for four years. He has also been constable for two years
and has been officially connected with the schools as a director. He votes with
the democratic party and is a communicant of the Catholic church of Gilbert-
ville. All of his life he has worked hard in order to win advancement, and step
by step he has progressed until he is now one of the substantial farmers of his
community, his property holdings being the visible evidence of a well spent life
characterized by indefatigable energy.

J. F. CRISP.

J. F. Crisp is a real-estate dealer of Waterloo and his business methods,
enterprise and thorough reliability, have gained for him a large clientage. He
was born in South Dakota in 1882, a son of Walter and Lottie Crisp, both of
whom were natives of Manchester, England, in which place they were reared
and married, emigrating to the United States forty-five years ago. They arrived
in Minnehaha county. South Dakota, in 1869 ^^^ the father entered land from
the government. With characteristic energy he began to develop and improve
his farm, and he and his wife still make their home thereon. Success has at-
tended his efl'orts in substantial measure and he is now the owner of four hun-
dred and fifty acres of choice land in that section situated near Sioux Falls.
Moreover, as one of the pioneer settlers of that district he has contributed
largely to its development and upbuilding. In the family were four children,
Walter J., W. FL, E. E. and J. F.

All of the brothers remained with the father until they attained their ma-
jority and were educated in the public schools of Minnehaha county, South
Dakota. J. F. Crisp, of this review, also attended the State University at Ver-
milion and in the acquirement of a liberal education thus laid the foundation
for his later success. On attaining his majority he married and began farming
on the old homestead, of which he had charge until 1909, when he removed to
Waterloo and here engaged in the real-estate business, which he started on a
small scale. His business, however, has gradually increased in volume and im-
portance to the present time. He makes a specialty of handling Iowa farms and
Canadian lands and has sold many farm properties in this state. He has also
negotiated sales of farms in Canada amounting to half a million dollars in the
past two years, and he now has an option on seven thousand acres of land in
the agricultural districts of Iowa, Canada and South Dakota. He knows values

374 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

and is thus able to make judicious purchases and profitable sales. In associa-
tion with C. C. Pierce, he is now engaged as distributor of the Ideal Safety-
Steering Device, for a Kansas City firm, in the state of Iowa, and Mr. Crisp is
sole distributor in Minnesota.

In 1903 Mr. Crisp was united in marriage to Miss Carrie L. Jerome, who
was born in South Dakota, a daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Jerome, who
were natives of New York and in 1881 went to South Dakota, where the father
carried on general farming until his death. His widow still survives and is now
living with Mrs. Crisp, who acquired her education in the Potsdam Normal
School of Potsdam, New York, and afterward taught school for seven years
prior to her marriage. She was one of four children and the second oldest, the
others being Clarence, Wesley and William. To Mr. and Mrs. Crisp have been
born two children: Ernest Jerome, whose natal day was July 2^, 1904; and
John Vivian, born June 10, 1907.

The family are all adherents of the Episcopal faith. They occupy a pleasant
home at No. 1023 South street in Waterloo and enjoy the warm regard of many
friends and neighbors. Mr. Crisp exercises his right of franchise in support
of the men and measures of the republican party and fraternally he is connected
with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. In the former he has attained
high rank and is now a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. His business interests
have been carefully directed and, making a close study of real-estate conditions
and values and of the market, he has been enabled to so direct his energies that
substantial results have accrued.

ADAM H. SCHARES.

Adam H. Schares, who has lived in Black Hawk county for about a half
century and has successfully followed general agricultural pursuits throughout
his entire business career, now owns two hundred and eight)^-one acres of valu-
able land, one hundred and twenty-four acres of which comprises his home
farm on section 6, Spring Creek township, and is one of the best improved prop-
erties in the county. His birth occurred in Prussia on the 15th of October,
1855, his parents being William and Barbara (Heinen) Schares, who were like-
wise natives of that country. In 1865 they emigrated to the United States and
located first in Illinois but at the end of two months came to Black Hawk county,
Iowa. Here the father purchased and improved eighty acres of land in Fox
township, which he cultivated successfully throughout the remainder of his life.
His demise occurred in May, 1888, while his wife survived until July, 1906,
when she, too. was called to her final rest.

Adam H. Schares, who was a lad of ten years when he accompanied his
parents on their emigration to the new world, had begun his education in the
schools of his native country and continued his studies in the district schools of
Black Hawk county. He remained at home until twenty-four years of age
and then started out as an agriculturist on his own account, cultivating a tract
of rented land for two years. On the expiration of that period he purchased
forty acres in Spring Creek township and began the improvement of the prop-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 375

erty. As time passed and his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring
industry and capable management, he augmented his holdings by additional
purchase until he now owns two hundred and eighty-one acres of rich and
productive land. One hundred and twenty-four acres thereof lie in his home
place on section 6, Spring Creek township, while the remainder is in Fox and
Poyner townships. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate
and also raises shorthorn Durham cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, meeting with
gratifying success in both branches of his business. For the last sixteen years
he has been a stockholder and director in the Farmers Creamery Company of
Gilbertville and he is likewise a stockholder in the German Savings Bank of
Gilbertville.

On the 15th of October, 1879, Mr. Scharcs was joined in wedlock to Miss
Mary Kascht, a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a daughter of William and
Margaret (Hustedt) Kascht, who were born in Prussia and came to America
at an early day. The father was a tailor by trade and after reaching American
shores made his way first to Chicago. Subsequently, however, he removed to
Lemont, Illinois, where he purchased a small farm and was engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits until 1867, when he came to Black Hawk county, Iowa. Here
he bought ninety acres of land in Fox township, v/hich he cultivated success-
fully throughout the remainder of his active business career. His last days
were spent in honorable retirement at Gilbertville, where he passed away in
1893, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1899. To Mr. and Mrs.
Schares have been born nine children, namely : William ; Anna ; Matilda ;
Mary ; John ; Margaret ; Clara ; Herbert ; and Ida, who died in 1904.

Mr. Schares gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is now ably
serving in the capacity of trustee, having held that position for eleven years.
His religious faith is that of the Catholic church. In his business dealings he
has ever been straightforward and reliable, enjoying the confidence of those
with whom he has been associated, and as a worthy and representative citizen
of Black Hawk county he fully deserves the substantial prosperity which is his
today.

A. R. STILL WAGON.

A. R. Stillwagon is a well known and prominent figure in real-estate circles
in Waterloo, being connected with several companies which operate largely in
both country and city properties. He also has other important business con-
nections and belongs to that class of energetic men who carry forward to suc-
cessful completion whatever they undertake. He was born in Connellsville,
Pennsylvania, in 1884 and is a son of Crawford and Jane Stillwagon. The
father was a coal operator of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and was also one
of the political leaders of his state, prominently known as a representative of
the democratic party. He died in August, 1908, while his wife passed away '
previously.

A. R. Stillwagon acquired his education in the Keystone state and after his
father's retirement from business, in 1904, took charge of the latter's coal

376 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

interests. Subsequently he purchased the business, which he continued to con-
duct until 1910, when he sold out and came lo the middle west. He had operated
in the east under the name of the Stillwagon Coal Company and the Middle Run
Coal & Coke Company and of the latter business organization was the president.

On removing to Iowa Mr. Stillwagon settled in Fayette county, where he
purchased a farm of two hundred acres, but after several months he disponed
of that property and since that time has made Waterloo his permanent head-
quarters with offices in the Lafayette building. At the present time he is con-
fining his operations largely to handling his own properties, consisting of both
farm land and city real estate. He negotiates many important realty transfers
annually and through judicious investment and profitable sales he has gained a
place among the prosperous real-estate men of this section of Iowa. He is now
one of the stockholders and the president of the \\'aterloo Sand & Gravel Com-
pany; is also a stockholder and the president of the Riverview Development
Company; and since the ist of January, 1915, has been president of the Batavia
Telephone Company.

In 1907 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Stillwagon and Aliss Wadena
Van Sickle, who was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of
Albert and Virginia Van Sickle. Her father was one of the largest landowners
of that county and was the vice president of the First National Bank of Somer-
field. He was also interested in a wagon and carriage shop of that place. He
died in the year 1908, but his widow still occupies the old homestead. To Mr.
and Mrs. Stillwagon have been born three children : Jane, who was born in
1908; A. Richard, 'born in 1909; and Albert \"., twin brother to Richard, who
died at the age of six months.

Mr. Stillwagon is a Baptist in religious faith, while his wife holds member-
ship in the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally he is connected with the
Loyal Order of Moose. In politics he is a republican, active and earnest in
support of the party, yet has never been an office seeker. He recognizes, how-
ever, the duties as well as the privileges of citizenship and believes that every
man should exercise his right of franchise in a manner he thinks will benefit
the community and country at large. His life has been a busy and useful one
and as the years have gone on he has improved his opportunities and his ad-
vantages wisely and well. He has made steady advancement and his business
ability is recognized by all with whom he has been brought in contact.

PROFESSOR ROLLA E. EKLUXD.

The development of business has brought about constantly changing condi-
tions resulting in the need of thoroughly trained men and women to control the
interests and perform the duties intrusted to them. As the result of this need
there has been established and developed the business college of the present day
which, taking cognizance of the requirements of the commercial world, has
developed its curriculum to meet every need. It is no idle boast to say that the
College of Commerce of Waterloo, of which Professor Rolla E. Eklund is the

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 377

president, ranks among the foremost institutions of this character, for the state-
ment is substantiated in the work of its pupils, and the city is to be congratulated
upon having in its midst a school of such excellent character and repute.

Professor Eklund is a native of Moline, Illinois. He was born in 1876, of the
marriage of Lawrence and Louisa (Greene) Eklund, the former a native of
Sweden and the latter of Illinois. They are now residents of La Crosse, Wis-
consin. In the schools of Moline, Rolla E. Eklund pursued his education until
graduated from the high school with the class of 1891. He completed a course
in the Wisconsin Business University of La Crosse in 1898 and was afterward
assistant teacher in that college for a year. He next went to Wausau, Wiscon-
sin, where he had charge of the shorthand department of Toland's Business Uni-
versity for a year. He then went to Toland's Business University at Monroe,
Wisconsin, and after a year's connection with that school returned to the Wis-
consin Business University at La Crosse, where he also spent one year. On the
expiration of that period he was sent to Oelwein, Iowa, as manager of Toland's
Business University, and after acting as teacher there for a year purchased the
school, which he conducted at Oelwein through the succeeding five years.

In 1908 he opened the College of Commerce in Waterloo and from the begin-
ning the institution has met with success. Anyone meeting with Mr. Eklund
would recognize him as an alert, energetic, determined man in whose vocabulary
there is no such word as fail. From the beginning the attendance at the school
has constantly increased until there are now several hundred pupils. The work
of the school has been thoroughly systematized and organized and Professor
Eklund has surrounded himself with a most capable corps of assistants. The
school is located in the new Fowler block at East Fifth and Lafayette streets, in
a building that is absolutely fireproof, heated by steam, lighted by electricity,
has hot and cold water, a sanitary drinking fountain and more window space
than wall space. The school is splendidly equipped with all of the devices com-
mon to the business world. The course includes stenography, typewriting, book-
keeping, banking, and in fact every requisite of training for the commercial
world. There is a civil service course, a commercial teachers' course and a sales-
manship course. There is no better indication of the efficiency of the students
than to say that two of them have carried off world records for speed in touch
typewriting, winning the Brown trophy and the amateur championship of the
middle west in a typewriting contest at Des Moines, where the representatives of
the College of Commerce defeated students from business schools in Chicago,
St. Louis, Omaha and Des Moines. They also won the Remington student cham-
pionship and the Smith Premier student championship of the world. The record
speed for touch typewriting on the Remington was made by Carrie Anderson
and on the Smith Premier by Ruth Herfurth, fourteen years of age, and the
same teacher who instructed those pupils is still in charge of that department
of the work. 'Sir. Eklund was the first school man in the state to use shields on
his typewriters because he believed that this was the only correct way to teach
touch typewriting. The students are not blindfolded so they will not see the keys,
because the shields so cover the keys that it is impossible to see any part of
them, making the students touch operators in every sense of the word and thus,
having never to watch their fingers while they write, they can devote all their
time to watching their notes and turn out more work in a day than the ordinary

378 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

stenographer. There is a greater demand from business houses for the students
of the College of Commerce than the school can supply.

On the 23d of December, 1902, at Barstow, Illinois, Professor Eklund was
united in marriage to Miss Anna D. Letsch and their close association is not only
through the home ties but also in the business world, for Mrs. Eklund assists her
husband in the school.

Professor Eklund holds membership with the Elks. He belongs also to the
Commercial Club and Board of Trade and is interested in all plans and projects
for the upbuilding and benefit of Waterloo. His religious faith is that of the
Lutheran church. He has gained a wide and favorable acquaintance during the
six years of his residence in Black Hawk county and enjoys the high regard of
all with whom he has come in contact. His pupils regard him not only as an
instructor, but as a friend who feels an individual interest in his students and
their success. He has held to the highest standards in all educational work and
has followed the methods of the pioneer in that he has instituted and developed
new plans for the benefit of the school whereby the efficiency of the pupils is
promoted. He is both forceful and resourceful and carries forward to successful
completion whatever he undertakes.

JOHN McCHANE.

John McChane is extensively engaged in farming in Spring Creek township,
owning and cultivating four hundred and twenty acres of rich and arable land
on sections 35 and 36. He follows the most progressive methods of farming and
excellent results attend his labors. Moreover, he is regarded as a wide-awake,
energetic business man who brooks no obstacles that can be overcome by per-
sistent, earnest and honorable effort.

Mr. McChane was born in Joliet, Illinois, November 22, 1852, a son of John
and Margaret (Johnson) McChane, who were natives of Scotland. Thinking
to have better opportunities in the ne^v world, they crossed the Atlantic and settled
in Illinois about 185 1. They established their home at Joliet, where the father
worked for three years, and then he removed with his family to Black Hawk
county, Iowa, where for two years he engaged in cultivating a rented farm.
The family practiced frugality as well as industry during those years and after
renting for a time Mr. McChane v>^a5 able to purchase property in Spring Creek
township. He at once began to develop and improve his newly acquired posses-
sions and devoted the remainder of his life to cultivating his farm, which he
purchased for seven dollars per acre and which as the result of his labors and
the natural rise in land values is today worth one hundred and fifty dollars per
acre. The death of Mr. McChane occurred in July, 1902, while his wife passed
away in 1894.

John McChane was brought to Black Hawk county by his parents and
remained with them until he reached the age of twenty-six, receiving practical
training in all lines of farm work, so that he was Avell qualified to manage a farm
property when he started out for himself. He purchased one hundred and
seventy-two acres of land in Spring Creek township and operated that farm for

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 379

three years, at the end of which time he sold the place and purchased his present
property, comprising four hundred and twenty acres on sections 35 and 36, Spring
Creek township. With characteristic energy he began the further development
of this farm and has since operated it. What he has accomplished is easy to be
seen. The place would attract more than a casual glance from the passerby, for
the farm is neat and thrifty in appearance and gives every evidence of careful,
practical and progressive supervision on the part of the owner.

On the 1st of January, 1878, Mr. McChane was united in marriage to Miss
Melvina Sprague, a daughter of T. and Hannah (Baldwin) Sprague, who were
natives of New York and pioneer settlers of Black Hawk county, arriving here
when the work of progress and development had scarcely been begun. The
father purchased land and here carried on general farming throughout the
remainder of his days. To Mr. and Mrs. McChane were born four children:
Lilly, who died June 26, 1909; Maggie, the wife of L. H. Abbott, a resident of
La Porte City; John, who is married and is now operating his father's farm;
and Harry, who carries on farming in North Dakota. The wife and mother
passed away October 20, 191 1, and her death was the occasion of deep regret to
those who knew her.

Mr. McChane is a Methodist in religious belief and has lived an upright and
honorable life that has won for him high regard. His political indorsement is
given the democratic party and for the past twelve years he has served as trustee
of Spring Creek township, being the present incumbent in that position. That
his record is most creditable is indicated in the fact that he has been again and
again chosen for office. He is always interested in everything pertaining to the
progress and welfare of his community, and his worth as a man and citizen is
widely acknowledged.

SAMUEL MARTIN RULE.

Samuel Martin Rule, the general superintendent of the Fred L. Kimball Com-
pany of Waterloo, has ably served in this position of responsibility and im-
portance during the past seven years. His birth occurred in Greencastle, Pennsyl-
vania, on the 19th of April, 1878, his parents being James M. and Anna B.
(Martin) Rule, who are also natives of the Keystone state. They removed to
Lanark, Illinois, in 1881 and still reside on a farm near that town.

Samuel Martin Rule attended the public schools in the acquirement of an edu-
cation and assisted his father in the work of the home farm until he had reached
his nineteenth year, when he identified himself with the printing business as an
apprentice on the Vinton (la.) Eagle under Mr. Murphy, who was then editor
of the paper. At the end of three and a half years' service he became a member
of the force of the Dysart Reporter at Dysart, Tama county, Iowa, while in
February, 1901, he accepted a position with the Fred L. Kimball Company of
Waterloo, making his beginning in the humble capacity of press feeder. His
ability and trustworthiness soon won him recognition, however, and he rose
steadily through the various departments until in 1907 he was made general super-
intendent of the plant, having served in that position of responsibility to the

380 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

present time. His record is one well worthy of commendation and emulation,
showing what may be accomplished when energy and ambition are wisely directed.
On the 25th of June, 1902, Mr. Rule was united in marriage to Miss Nellie
Verheren, of Waterloo, Iowa, by whom he has three children, namely : Robert J.,
Virginia M. and Jackson D. He casts an independent ballot, but is rather in
favor of republican principles. Fraternally he is identified with Pythian Lodge,
No. 8r, K. P., and he also belongs to the Town Criers Club of Waterloo, while
his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Methodist Epis-
copal church, with which his wife is likewise afifiliated. Those who know him
respect him for his sterling personal worth, and in all relations of life he
measures up to the full standard of honorable, upright manhood.

lOHN G. MILLER.

John G. Miller, a prominent and capable contractor of Waterloo, was born
in W\irtemberg, Germany, on the 29th of December, 1871, a son of John G. and
Libby (Wall) Miller, who were lifelong residents of that country. The father,
who was a blacksmith and wagonmaker, died in 191 1 and was survived for one
year by his widow. Their children were seven in number, namely : Rosa, who
is still living in Germany ; Gotlibin, deceased ; Carrie, the wife of George Kreb
of Bremer county, Iowa ; Christina, the wife of George Steinbron, also a resi-
dent of Bremer county ; Christ, who is living in Retland, Iowa : Gottlob, of Ger-
many ; and John G., of this review.

The last named attended school in the fatherland and grew to manhood
there, learning the blacksmith's and wagonmaker's trades under his father
and finishing under another master. He subsequently made a specialty of
cutlery and at the age of eighteen, having finished his apprenticeship, came
to America and settled in Iowa. For a year he worked in a creamery and was
then employed upon a farm for the same length of time. He next took up
carpentering and followed that trade for a number of years. In the spring of
1893 he came to Waterloo from Colorado after having worked in a number of
states. After following carpentering in this city for three years he began to
take contracts for work and since 1896 has continued in that line. He has built
some of the finest homes, business buildings and churches in Waterloo and is
one of the best contractors in the city. In 1910 he began developing his own
property and has since contributed in no small degree to the material expansion
of the city by building and selling substantial houses. He is a pioneer in the
erection of apartment buildings in Waterloo and has built and now owns some
of the largest and finest apartment houses here, among which may be men-
tioned the Colonial and Superior. Since beginning contracting he has done a
business of from thirty thousand dollars to one hundred thousand dollars per
year, a record which places him among the most prosperous and substantial
men of the city. In addition to his property in Waterloo he owns several
improved farms in the Red River valley, Minnesota and North Dakota, from
which he derives a gratifying addition to his income.

H
w

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 383

Mr, Miller was married on the 26th of September, 1896, to Miss Emma
Goughener, who is a native of Waterloo and a daughter of W. S. and Susan
(Biekley) Goughener. Her mother was a sister of the late Dr. G. G. Biekley.
To Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born ten children : Miriam, who is taking
the liberal arts course at the University of Iowa; Robert, Reuben and Francis,
attending the high school at Waterloo; Ruth, Moses, Aaron, and John G., Jr.,
the fifth of that name, who are in the public schools; Esther; and Homer.

Mr. Miller is a republican but does not feel himself bound by party ties if
an independent vote would better serve the public good. He is a member of the
Christadelphian Society. His success is notable in itself, but more so when we
consider that when he emigrated to this country a youth of eighteen he was
entirely without capital and was compelled to rely altogether upon his business
ability and energy in the struggle to attain success. Integrity and uprightness
are as characteristic of his life as enterprise and good business judgment, and
his fellow citizens all hold him in high regard.

CHARLES F. SCHILDMEIER.

Charles F. Schildmeier is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and
sixty-nine acres on section 4, Spring Creek township, and in its cultivation is
meeting with substantial success. He was born May 27, 1864, in the township
which is still his home, his parents being Christ and Christina (Hartwig) Schild-
meier, both of whom were natives of Germany. Leaving the fatherland, they
crossed the Atlantic to the new world and made their way to Iowa, taking up
their abode in Black Hawk county in the '50s. The father purchased land in
Spring Creek township and resolutely set to work to bring the wild prairie under
cultivation. The remainder of his life was devoted to the further development
and improvement of this farm, which as the result of his untiring labors became
a very desirable property. He died in November, 1912, after a residence of
about sixty years in this county. He was widely known and was numbered among
the early settlers who were instrumental in laying the foundation upon which
has been built the later progress and prosperity of the county. For sixteen
years he survived his wife, who passed away in 1896.

C. F. Schildmeier was reared and educated in Black Hawk county, his time
being divided between the work of the fields and attendance at the district
schools. After he put aside his text-books his undivided attention was given
to the farm and its further cultivation and he remained on the home place until
forty years of age. He then purchased one hundred and sixty-nine acres of land
situated on section 4, Spring Creek township, and at once began the task of fur-
ther improving this place. He has since continued its cultivation and has one
of the fine farms of the county lacking in none of the accessories, conveniences
and equipments known to the model farm of the twentieth century. His fields
bring forth good crops and he has good grades of stock upon his place. His
buildings are modern and substantial and he has secured the latest improved
machinery to facilitate the work of planting, cultivating and harvesting his crops.
Vol. 11—21

384 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

On the 27th of August, 1903, Mr. Schildmeier was united in marriage to
Miss Alary Hoppe, a daughter of Carl L. and Christina (Tebbe) Hoppe, who
are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Schildmeier have become
the parents of two children : Otto, who was born in February, 1909, and died
when he was but four months old; and Lillie, who is now two years of age.
The parents hold membership in the Lutheran church and are loyal to its
teachings.

Politically Air. Schildmeier is a democrat and keeps in touch with modern
political problems but does not seek nor desire office. He has always lived in
Black Hawk county and the fact that many of her native sons have remained
here is indicative of the attractiveness of this section as a place of residence and
the opportunities here offered citizens. For a half century he has witnessed the
changes which have occurred as the work of improvement has been carried
forward, making this one of the progressive and prosperous counties of the
commonwealth.

RICHARD T. GLESSNER.

Richard T. Glessner, an active business man engaged in dealing in feed and
flour in Waterloo, selling both to the wholesale and retail trades, was born in
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1S73, a son of Joseph T. and
Alary A. (Kimmel) Glessner, who were also natives of Somerset county, the
former born November 22, 1851, and the latter on the T7th of Alay, 1850. The
father devoted his entire life to farming and in the spring of 1894 he left the
east and came to Iowa, settling on a farm on the Eagle Center road in Black
Hawk county. Subsequently he removed to a farm just south of Waterloo on
the Blue House road, where he and his wife now reside. He is now practically
living retired, although he still gives supervision to the cultivation of his fields.

Richard T. Glessner spent the period of his boyhood and youth in the Key-
stone state, acquired his education in the public schools of Somerset county and
when twenty-one years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to
Iowa. He then worked for others as a farm hand to the time of his marriage,
when he began farming on his own account on a tract of land on the Blue House
road, where he remained for a year. He then removed to Spring Creek town-
ship, where he continued for nine years, and then returned to his first place.
There m connection with general farming he conducted a dairy business for five
years, at the end of which time he sold out and came to Waterloo, where he
embarked in the feed business. He now handles feed of all kinds and also flour,
selling both to the wholesale and retail trades, and in the period of his connection
with the commercial interests of this city he has built up a gratifying and sub-
stantial business.

On the 1 6th of March, 1S98, was celebrated the marriage of Air. Glessner
and Aliss Thurza F. Teeter, who was born in Spring Creek township, this county,
a daughter of Daniel and Emeline (Clark) Teeter, both of whom were natives
of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, the former born July 5, 1825, and the latter
on the 30th of April, 1832. Air. Teeter was a farmer by occupation and about

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 385

1849 he brought his family to Iowa, setthng first in Jefferson county, Ijut soon
afterward he removed to Spring Creek township, Black Hawk comity, casting in
his lot with the pioneer settlers. He shared in all the hardships and privations
incident to pioneer life and bore his part in the work of early development and
improvement. He could relate many interesting incidents of the early days and
he lived to witness remarkable changes. His death occurred in 1903, while his
widow still resides in Waterloo. He filled various local offices, including that of
township assessor, in which capacity he served for twenty-two years, his long
continuance in the office being unmistakable proof of his capability and fidelity
in that position. To Air. and Mrs. Glessner have been born three children, Ida
B., Ira D., and Herschel H., all at home and all attending school.

Mr. Glessner is a member of the Church of the Brethren. His political
indorsement is given to the men and measures of the republican party and he
has filled the office of clerk of Spring Creek township and has also served on
the board of education. He is interested in everything that pertains to public
progress and improvement and his cooperation can always be counted upon to
further plans and measures for the general good. Residing in this county
throughout the period of his manhood, he is well known and an analyzation of
his life record shows that the success which he now enjoys is the direct outcome
of his persistent labor and spirit of enterprise.

J. WILLIAM MORRISON.

J. William Morrison, residing on section 31, Cedar township, is cultivating
an excellent farm of one hundred and eighty acres, which he has brought to
a high state of cultivation. He was born in Cedar county, Iowa, in August,
1886, a son of Thomas and Sina (McMurin) Morrison, who are also natives of
that county. The father has followed agricultural pursuits throughout his
entire life. .Vfter operating a farm in Cedar county for a number of years he
removed to .Story county, where he engaged in farming for three years. He
then came to Cedar township, Black Hawk county, and took charge of the
L. F. Foulk farm, which he operated until 1912 or for about twenty years»
winning substantial success during that period. He then retired and removed
to W^aterloo. where he i)urchased a nice home surrounded by two and a quarter
acres of ground. He does a little truck gardening now but has laid aside the
more arduous and strenuous duties of life to enjoy a well earned rest in the
evening of his days.

J. William Morrison was largely reared and educated in Cedar township and
has spent the greater part of his life on the Foulk farm. In his youthful days
he became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the
crops, for he assisted his father in the farm work and aided in converting the
land into very productive fields. He therefore had considerable valuable experi-
ence when he began farming on his own account. When his father left the-
place he rented it and is now busily engaged in the further cultivation of one-
hundred and eighty acres of rich land. The soil is arable, and the methods which:
he employs in crop production result in good harvests each year.

386 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

On the 15th of February, 1912, Mr. Morrison was united in marriage to
Miss Zepha Huppert, a daughter of Jacob and Susan (TempHn) Huppert. They
now have one child, Alfred A. In his political views Mr. Morrison is a repub-
lican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does
not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business
affairs. He is a Presbyterian in religious faith, and his has been a well spent
life, bringing to him not only success in his labors but also the respect and good-
will of his fellowmen.

CHARLES F. HOPPE.

Charles F. Hoppe is filling the office of township clerk in Spring Creek town-
ship and is also engaged in general farming on sections 4, 9 and 10. He was
born in Germany, September 10. 1869, a son of Charles L. and Christina (Tebbe)
Hoppe, who were likewise natives of Germany. The father followed farming
in the old country, devoting his attention to the work of tilling the fields there
until 1883, when he came to America, settling first in Indiana. After about a
year, however, he removed to Black Hawk county, Iowa, and purchased land
in Spring Creek township, where he carried on farming until 1912, when he
retired from active business life and is now living with his son.

Charles F. Hoppe was reared and educated in Germany to the age of four-
teen years, when he came to the new world with his parents. He afterwards
worked out as a farm hand for two years in Indiana and for four years in
Iowa, but he was anxious that his labors should more directly benefit himself
and he used every advantage which would enable him ultimately to begin farm-
ing on his own account. At length he rented two hundred acres of land and
continued the development and further cultivation of that farm for fifteen years.
He lived economically, carefully managed his business interests and while rent-
ing was able to accumulate a sum sufficient to permit the purchase of eighty
acres of his present farm. This he also operated in addition to the tract of
two hundred acres which he rented. He at once set about improving the place
and later he purchased eighty acres more. This was in 1896, the first eighty
acres having come into his possession three years before. Flis land lies on sec-
tions 9 and 10, Spring Creek township, the buildings being all on the latter section.
He at once began improving the place and now has one of the best farm prop-
erties in the county. He afterward purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty
acres adjoining, on section 4, and this, too, is improved. He has continuously
operated his farm since it came into his possession and his labors have been
attended with gratifying results. His methods are at once practical and pro-
gressive and what he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion.

On the 22d of November, 1893, ^^- Hoppe was united in marriage to Miss
Emma Schildmeier, a daughter of Christian and Christina Schildmeier, who were
natives of Germany and pioneer settlers of this county, where they arrived about
1858. They bought seven hundred and twenty acres of land in Spring Creek
township and Mr. Schildmeier continued the further cultivation and improve-
ment of that property throughout his remaining days. His life's labors were

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 387

ended in December, 1904. He had for two years survived his wife, who passejl
away ni August, 1902. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoppe were born three children:
Helena E., the wife of August Himmerman, a farmer of Buchanan county, Iowa;
and Edwin C. and Arthur C, at home. The wife and mother passed away in
February, 1901, after an illness of but five days. Later the father married
Christina Schildmeier, a sister of his first wife, and two children have been born
of this union. Otto W. and Oscar C.

In addition to his home farm Mr. Hoppe has business interests elsewhere,
being a stockholder and director of the Farmers Exchange at La Porte City
and also of the Farmers Telephone Company. He exercises his right of franchise
in support of the men and measures of the democratic party and his religious
faith is that of the Lutheran church. He is now filling the office of township
clerk, in which capacity he has served for four years. He is likewise justice of
the peace and has occupied that position for eight years, his decisions being
strictly fair and impartial, based upon the law and equity in the case. He has
made an excellent record both in of^ce and out of it and he enjoys the high
regard and goodwill of all with whom business or social relations have broug-ht
him in contact.

JACOB H. FEHL.

Jacob H. Fehl, the period of whose residence in Black Hawk county covers
about four decades, has devoted his time and energies to general agricultural
pursuits throughout his entire business career and is now the owner of three
hundred and thirty-five acres of valuable land on sections 13, 14, 23 and 24,
Spring Creek township. His birth occurred in Wisconsin on the 29th of June,
1865, his parents being Jacob and Maggie (Loeb) Fehl, both of whom were
natives of Germany. They were brought to this country in childhood by their
respective parents, who located in Wisconsin, where Jacob Fehl, Sr.. was reared
to manhood and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1875 he came
to Black Hawk county, Iowa, purchasing land in Spring Creek township which
he cultivated successfully until 1909. In that year he put aside the active work
of the fields and has since lived retired, now making his home in Minnesota.
His wife was called to her final rest in the fall of 1905.

Jacob H. Fehl, who was a lad of ten years when he came to this county with
his parents, acquired his education in the schools of his native state and of Black
Hawk county and remained at home until twenty-six years of age. He then
embarked in agricultural pursuits on his own account, purchasing a tract of eighty
acres in Spring Creek township and subsequently sixty acres more, improving
and operating the property for eighteen years. On the expiration of that period
he disposed of that land and bought three hundred and thirty-five acres on sec-
tions 13, 14, 2;^ and 24, Spring Creek township, which he improved and has cul-
tivated continuously to, the present time. The annual yield of his fields is most
gratifying, returning to him a substantial income, and he is numbered among
the representative and prosperous farmers of his section.

388 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

On the 20th of October, 1891, Air. Fehl was united in marriage to Miss
Lena Schutte, a daughter of Arnold and Augusta (Gusse) Schutte, both of whom
were natives of Germany. They became pioneer settlers of Buchanan county.
Iowa, where Mr. Schutte followed farming until he passed away in 1871. His
widow survives and resides on the old home place in that county. To Mr. and
Mrs. Fehl have been born four children, as follows : Walter, at home ; Neva,
who is the wife of Lewis Bonorden, an agriculturist of Spring Creek township;
and Lawrence and Grace, both at home.

Mr. Fehl gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serv-
ing as a school director, having been a member of the board of education for
twenty years. He is also one of the present trustees and has made an excellent
record as a public official, discharging the duties devolving upon him in a prompt
and capable manner. His religious faith is that of the German Lutheran church,
the teachings of which find exemplification in his daily conduct. During his life
he has carefully noted and utilized his opportunities, and his example of unre-
mitting industry and perseverance is one well worthy of emulation.

W. H. STEWART.

The industrial interests of Waterloo find a worthy and well known representa-
tive in W. H. Stewart, who is the president of the General Machinery & Supply
Company. Through the period of his residence in this city, covering fifteen
years, he has made for himself a creditable name and place and his popularity
among his fellow townsmen is indicated in the fact that he is now secretary of
the Town Criers Club. He was born in Lake Mills, Iowa, in 1887, and was
therefore but a young lad when he accompanied his parents on their removal to
\\'atcrloo. His father, J. H. Stewart, was identified with the manufacturing
interests of Waterloo for an extended period and is mentioned elsewhere in this
volume.

In the pursuit of his education W. H. Stewart attended the East Waterloo
high school and the W aterloo Business College, and later he entered the employ
of the Cement Tile ^lachinery Company, accepting the position of bookkeeper.
Gradually, however, he was advanced to positions which placed upon him greater
responsibilities and when he severed his connection with the company two years
ago he was secretary. Lie entered upon his present business at that time and in
December. 1912, the business was incorporated under the name of the General
Machinery & Supply Company, with a capital stock of twenty thousand dollars.
Of this company W. II. Stewart is now the president; W. L. Northrup, vice
president ; R. D. McCarty, vice president ; and R. D. Jay, secretary and treasurer.
They handle everything in contractors' equipments, catering to the builders'
trade, and their output is now extensive. The business has been carefully sys-
tematized, its methods have been wisely formulated, and the spirit of enterprise
which characterizes every department has brought to them increasing success.
Mr. Stewart is also a director of the Cement Products Company.

On the 6th of April, 191 1, occurred the marriage of Mr. Stewart and Miss
Gertrude Lillian Ta\-, of Marshalltown, Iowa. Thev are well known in \\^ater-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 389

loo and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. Mr. Stewart
holds membership in the Commercial Club and Board of Trade. He is one of
the younger representatives of business life here and stands as a type of the
energetic, industrious young men who see and recognize opportunities and util-
ize them to the best advantage. Such men are the real upbuilders of a city's
business development and greatness.

J. M. SCHENK.

J. M. Schenk, president of the Cement Tile Machinery Company, of Water-
loo, was born on a farm in Bennington township. Black Hawk county, in 1866,
his parents being Joseph and Mary Schenk. In his boyhood and youth he attended
the district schools and when twenty years of age he began learning the car-
penter's trade. He worked in the country for three years and then came to
Waterloo, where he was employed until the spring of 1893, when he went to
Atlantic, Iowa, where he spent five years in the operation of a planing mill. He
then sold out and returned to Waterloo, at which time he entered into partner-
ship with F. S. Salisbury. They established what was known as the Novelty
Wood Works located on Almond street. At a later date, however, the business
was removed to East Seventh street and the plant is now known as the Waterloo
Sash & Fixture Works. Mr. Schenk and his partners conducted the business
for five years, Mr. Schenk being the secretary and treasurer, and he is still a
stockholder and one of the directors.

During the last two years of his connection with the Novelty Wood Works
he invented and patented a machine for making cement drain tile and with this
patent as a basis he organized a company in connection with J. H. Stewart and
F. H. Pfiffner for the manufacture of the machine which he had invented. The
new company was organized in 1906. They have since greatly increased their
capacity and have also undertaken the manufacture of many other kinds of
machinery relative to the handling of cement products. They claim as one of
their most important achievements the Bell End Cement Sewer Pipe Machine,
which required nearly five years to bring to successful completion and which
is now an unqualified success. Because of this invention and its recognized
value the Cement Tile Machinery Company has recently taken steps to organize
a new company for the purpose of handling the business and placing the new
machine upon the market on a royalty basis. This will necessitate a greater
capital and also an increase of factory faciHties. Mr. Schenk has indeed made
for himself a creditable and enviable place in the business world through his
inventions and manufacturing interests. Mr. Schenk has studied all forms of
mechanical devices, particularly those relating to cement products, and his efforts
have been of great value along this line.

In 1901 occurred the marriage of Mr. Schenk and Miss Ella Sykes, a native
of New York and a daughter of H. A. Sykes. Coming to the west, she made
her home for several years with an aunt and then gave her hand in marriage
to Mr. Schenk. They have become the parents of five children, Albert J., Roger
L., Esther May, Arthur and Helen.

390 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

While Mr. Schenk usually votes with the republican party, he is somewhat
liberal in his political views, nor has he ever been an ofifice seeker. He belongs
to the Masonic fraternity and his family are connected with the Presbyterian
church. Practically his entire life has been spent in Black Hawk county and
the substantial qualities he has displayed, not only in business affairs, but also
in public connections, have won for him the high regard which is uniformly
accorded him and the recognition that places him among the representative citi-
zens of this part of the state.

JOSEPH REUTER.

As a merchant of Gilbertville Joseph Reuter has gained an enviable repu-
tation and a substantial success, his general store being one of the most pros-
perous in the town. He was born near Essen, Westphalen, Germany, in 1865,
a son of John and Elizabeth (Billisbach) Reuter, both of whom were born in
Neiderland, Germany, the former in 1839 and the latter in 1841. The father
is still Hving but the mother died in 1902. John Reuter was a coal miner and
farmer in his early life and followed those occupations until he came to the
United States in 1881. He removed with his family to Eagle Center, Black
Hawk county, Iowa, and found employment upon farms in that neighborhood
until 1905. In that year he purchased land near Jubilee and operated his farm
until he retired from business life. He raised both grain and stock and his
industry enabled him to win success. In politics he was a democrat and served
acceptably as road boss.

Joseph Reuter is the oldest in a family of five children and after arriving
at suitable years began working as a farm hand. He saved his earnings with
the view of becoming a landowner and eventually accumulated sufficient capital
to buy a farm. He still owns one hundred and thirty-seven acres in Poyner
township. Aside from the ordinary work of the farm he owned and conducted
a threshing machine, which side line returned to him quite a good profit. He
gave up agriculture and went into the furniture business in Waterloo, in which
he continued for four years. At the end of that time he returned to the farm
and devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits for seven years, but in 191 3
he came to Gilbertville and entered the mercantile field here. He conducts a
general store and carries a fine line of goods, seeking always to meet the demands
of his customers. His courtesy and honesty together with the high quality of
his goods have enabled him to build up in a comparatively short time a lucrative
patronage.

Mr. Reuter married Miss Mary Schmitz, a native of Black Hawk county
and a daughter of Jacob and Katrina (Gales) Schmitz. The father was born
in Thrarer, Germany, and the mother in Luxemburg. Mr. Schmitz came to this
county in 1849, when evidences of pioneer life were to be seen upon every hand,
and became the owner of land in both Fox and Poyner townships. He entered
enthusiastically into the work of developing his farm and of building up a
healthy community life. He helped to erect schools and churches in his neigh-
borhood and aided much in the securing of good roads. He was one of those

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 391

who, coming here when the county had changed but little from the prairie over
which the Indians roamed, were nevertheless undismayed and labored steadily
and courageously to lay the foundations of a fine civilization. To Mr. and Mrs.
Reuter were born eight children: John, who is in the store with his father;
Clara and Joseph, at home; Bertha, Mary and Theodore, all attending the
Sisters' school ; Loretta ; and Agnes.

The family belong to the Catholic church and Mr. Reuter is a member of
the Catholic Order of Foresters and also of the German Central Society of the
United States, which is a national organization. He is likewise a member of
the St. Laurensius Society and for the past four years he has been chief ranger
of the Foresters, and in all of the organizations with which he is identified is
well known and popular. His political beliefs accord with the principles of the
democratic party and he supports the candidates and measures of that organiza-
tion at the polls. He has held a number of minor offices and is always willing
to aid in advancing the public welfare. He has a number of business connec-
tions in his community. He is a stockholder and the president of the German
Savings Bank of Gilbertville, of which institution he has been the executive
head since its incorporation. He also owns stock in the Gilbertville Light Com-
pany, the creamery company, and the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Rail-
way. For six years he was president of the creamery company and in all of
his business connections he has displayed marked ability and good judgment.
He has been identified with the progress of the county in many ways, and his
life has been a force that has made for advancement.

MONTE G. FOSS.

Monte G. Foss, an enterprising young agriculturist and well known native
son of Black Hawk county, resides on section 26, Big Creek township, cultivat-
ing one hundred and eighty acres of his father's farm. His birth occurred in
that township in January, 1888, his parents being E. B. and Ida P. (Finch) Foss,
the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Pennsylvania. E. B. Foss came
to this county with his parents in 1856 and his education, begun in Illinois, was
here continued. When his age and strength permitted he undertook the active
work of the fields, and his attention has been devoted to agricultural pursuits in
Black Hawk county continuously to the present time. He now owns four hun-
dred acres of valuable land on section 26, Big Creek township, improved with
two sets of buildings. The period of his residence in this county covers nearly
six decades, and he has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of its
respected and prosperous citizens. His wife, who also yet survives, likewise
has an extensive circle of friends here.

Monte G. Foss was reared and educated in Black Hawk county, attending
the public schools of La Porte City. He remained under the parental roof
until twenty-three years of age, when he was married and established a home
of his own, adjoining that of his father. He cultivates one hundred and eighty
acres of his father's farm on section 26, Big Creek township, and the well tilled
fields annually yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he

392 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

bestows upon them. He is a stockholder in the Producers Elevator Company
of La Porte City and the La Porte City Creamery Company.

In November, 191 1, Mr. Foss was united in marriage to ^liss Louise Bedard,
a daughter of N. P. and Fannie (Moran) Bedard, the former a native of Canada
and the latter of Illinois. Both still survive. Mr. Bedard came to Iowa in a
very early day, settling in Tama county, where he has operated a farm continu-
ously to the present time, his property lying near the Black Hawk county line.
Mr. and Mrs. Foss have two children, namely : Noel M., who is two years old ;
and Merna I., who is in her first year.

In politics Mr. Foss is a republican and for two years has ably served as
assessor of Big Creek township. He was reelected to that office at the recent
election but tendered his resignation. His religious faith is that of the Catholic
church. He has remained a resident of this county from his birth to the present
time and is widely known as a popular young citizen and progressive agriculturist.

O. W. ARMAGOST.

O. W. Armagost is a well known contractor and builder of Waterloo, engaged
in the construction of all kinds of buildings, including fireproof structures. He
has kept in touch with the rapid advancement along building lines and is
acquainted with all the practical phases of the trade as well as the more scientific
principles and features of the business. A native of Charles City, Iowa, he was
born on the loth of April, 1873, and is a son of Absalom and Emma V. Armagost,
the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Illinois. They were mar-
ried in Charles City, Iowa, and the father operated an elevator and conducted
a grain business at that point for twenty years. Later he removed to Elma, Iowa,
where he conducted business for fifteen years, retiring from active life at the
end of that time. His wife passed away in Elma in 1901 but he survives and
is now making his home at La Cygne, Kansas, at the age of seventy years.

O. W. Armagost was the second in order of birth in their family of five
children and in the schools of Charles City and Elma he pursued his education,
supplemented by a course in a business college at Dubuque. He made his initial
step as a builder \vhen eighteen years of age by entering upon an apprentice-
ship and following the completion of his term he engaged in carpentering for
a few years. He afterward engaged in the grain business at Elma, Iowa, and
at Hayfield, Minnesota, at which points he conducted a grain trade for tw^o
years. At the end of that time he turned his attention to the draying business
in Elma, at which he continued for three years and then resumed work at the
carpenter's trade. For the past eight years he has done contract w^ork and in
the meantime he was connected wath the International Correspondence Schools
as district solicitor. During the last eight years, in which he has confined his
attention to contracting and building, he has erected a number of the prominent
residences of Waterloo and also a number of the leading business houses, includ-
ing the Hileman & Gindt building, used for undertaking parlors ; the Case Dairy
building; the Bronson & Dotson garage, on Sycamore between Seventh and
Eighth streets ; the McMurray Theatre building ; and the residences of Dr. Ben-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 393

nett, J. Corson and A. L. Walker. He also erected a fine residence for the
Highland Improvement Company in the Highland addition and the residences
of L. A. Gaiser, George McGuyer and G. W. Hill, and also built two homes for
James Register. He has erected a number of other important buildings in Water-
loo and is now engaged on the construction of a three-story apartment building
in Cedar Falls. He makes a specialty of buying lots and building homes on
them for sale and in this speculative building is meeting with excellent success.
He employs from ten to thirty workmen according to the season and his labors
have been an element in the improvement of the city.

In 1898 Mr. Armagost was married to Miss Loutie M. Brink, who was born
in Nashua, Iowa, a daughter of M. D. and Helen Brink, both natives of New,
York. Removing westward, they settled in Illinois and afterward came to Iowa,
where they were married. The father subsequently followed farming until his
retirement from active business life. He and his wife, however, still live on
the old home farm near Nashua. Mrs. Armagost was the fifth in order of birth
in their family of six children, all of whom survive. She is a graduate of the
Nashua high school and for six years prior to her marriage successfully engaged
in teaching. To Mr. and Mrs. Armagost three children have been born : Vivian
E., whose birth occurred in 1899 and who is now attending high school; L.
Walter, born in 1900, also a high school pupil; and Harold C, who was born
in Waterloo in 1902 and is a pupil in the schools of this city.

In his political views Mr. Armagost is a republican yet does not hold himself
bound by party ties and often votes independently. Fraternally he is connected
with the Knights of Pythias and with the Modern Woodmen of America, and
he and his family hold membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church.
They occupy a fine home in Waterloo which is the visible evidence of his life
of well directed energy and thrift. It is said that ability grows through the
exercise of effort and thus it is that Mr. Armagost has continuously advanced
since he started out to learn the carpenter's trade as an apprentice. Fie has
become familiar with all phases of the builder's art and the thoroughness of his
work and his reliability in trade transactions are the direct cause of his growing
success and prosperity.

Z. M. NICHOLS.

Z. M. Nichols is the secretary and treasurer of the Security Storage Com-
pany, one of the important and growing business enterprises of Waterloo. He
has always lived in Iowa, his birth having occurred in Macksburg on the 7th of
July, 1878, his parents being Marcus G. and Elizabeth (Green) Nichols, both of
whom were born in Illinois, from which state they removed to Iowa with their
respective parents about 1870. They were married in Traer and after a short
residence in Macksburg removed to a farm in Tama county, whereon they
resided for many years, the father carefully, persistently and intelligently carry-
ing on farm work until his labors had brought to him a substantial success,
enabling him to retire from active business life in 1912. At that time he took
up his abode in Waterloo, where he still makes his home.

394 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Z. M. Nichols completed his education in the Traer high school, after which
he started out in the business world in connection with the restaurant and bakery
business in Traer. being identified with that enterprise until 1909, when he sold
his interest in the concern and came to Waterloo. Here he purchased stock in
the Security Storage Company, of which in 1912 he was elected treasurer, and
the following year he was made secretary, performing the duties of the dual
position at the present time and contributing much to the success of the under-
taking. The business is now one of extensive proportions, having enjoyed rapid
and substantial growth during the past few years, and there is scarcely an enter-
prise in all the city the stock of which sells at a higher figure or pays better
dividends.

In January, 1904, Air. Nichols was united in marriage to Miss Teresa Brecht,
of Garwin, Iowa, by whom he has two children, Zenus R. and Marguerite B.
The parents are devout communicants of the Catholic church and Mr. Nichols
also belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Waterloo Commercial Club.
The qualities which have won him success are such as might easily be cultivated
by all. His advancement has not been due to any fortunate combination of cir-
cumstances but to that persistency of purpose which overcomes all obstacles
and wisely utilizes opportunities.

W. H. DEEMING.

W. H. Deeming, a resident farmer and stock-raiser of Mount A'ernon town-
ship, his place, situated on sections 27 and 28, being known as the Cedar Grove
farm, was born in Black Hawk county in the year 1867, a son of William and
Ellen Deeming. The father was a native of England and came to America with
his parents in 1815. The family home was established in Illinois but later a
removal was made to Iowa, at which time they took up their abode near Water-
loo, casting in their lot with the early pioneer residents of Black Hawk county.
From that time to the present representatives of the name have borne an active
and helpful part in the work of general advancement and improvement. William
Deeming remained at home until his marriage and assisted in the arduous task
of developing a farm from the tract of unbroken prairie land which hi? father
secured on coming to the county.

After reaching man's estate William Deeming started out in the business
world on his own account, taking up his abode upon a farm which he had
previously purchased and which constitutes a part of the farm now owned by
his son, W. H. Deeming. With characteristic energy he bent his efforts to the
development of his place and followed farming for many years, or until his
retirement, after which he spent a few years in Cedar Falls, there passing away
in 1905. His widow survives and yet resides in Cedar Falls at the age of
seventy-six years. Mr. Deeming was the owner of two hundred and eighty
acres of valuable land which he brought to a high state of cultivation and
developed, making it a most productive tract. He never neglected anything that
would facilitate the farm work or enhance the value of his crops and his example
was one which might worthily be followed by others. In his political views he

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 395

was liberal. His family numbered six children: Nancy, the wife of George
Knapp, of Black Hawk county ; Josiah, who is living in Bremer county, Iowa ;
W. H., of this review; Louisa, the wife of W. C. Leland, of Black Hawk county;
Katie, the widow of George Belle, who died at Cedar Falls; and NelHe, the wife
of P. R. Henry, of Black Hawk county.

W. H. Deeming acquired a country-school education and when not busy with
his text-books worked in the fields. He remained with his parents to the age
of twenty-six years, when he took charge of the old home farm, which he thus
superintended until his father's death. In 1905 W. H. Deeming purchased one
hundred and sixty acres of the old homestead and is still cultivating that prop-
erty. He now has one of the finely improved farms of the neighborhood. His
labors have been fraught with good results, for his methods are practical and
his energy is untiring.

In March, 1893, Mr. Deeming was united in marriage to Miss Ethzelda Eye-
stone, who was born in Black Hawk county, a daughter of Amos L, and Flora
Eyestone, mention of whom is made on another page of this volume. Mr. and
Mrs. Deeming have become the parents of a son, Ralph H., who was born in
June, 1896, and is now attending college. In politics Mr. Deeming is a demo-
crat of liberal views and does not hesitate to cast an independent ballot if his
judgment so dictates. He has served as township trustee for six years and his
reelection to office is an indication of his fidelity. He has also been a member
of the school board for many years and is a stalwart champion of the interests
of public education. Fraternally he is a Mason and is also connected with the
Modern Woodmen of America. He is leading a busy Hfe and his labors are
bringing a substantial return in abundant harvests. Stock-raising is also an
important feature of his farm work and he is today accounted one of the enter-
prising agriculturists of Mount Vernon township.

L. J. BENSER.

L. J. Benser, an enterprising and successful young representative of business
interests in Waterloo, is the proprietor of a plumbing and heating shop at No.
1803 West Third street, which he conducts independently under his own name.
He established the business in 191 2 and has since built up a profitable patronage
in all departments of plumbing and heating.

His birth occurred in Henderson, Minnesota, in 1887, his parents being
August and Anna Benser. His early education was acquired in the place of his
nativity and subsequently he pursued a high-school course in Minneapolis.
When a youth of fourteen he left the parental roof and afterward learned the
plumber's trade, working at that occupation in Minnesota until seventeen years
of age He then came to Waterloo, Iowa, and here secured employment in the
plumbing establishment of George H. Brush. In 1912 he opened a plumbing
shop of his own under the firm style of L. J. Benser and has conducted the same
with gratifying success to the present time. He owns a handsome residence in
Waterloo and enjoys an enviable reputation as a prosperous and representative
young business man and citizen.

396 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

In August, 1912, Mr. Benser was united in marriage to Miss Laura Neebel,
a native of Iowa and a daughter of \\'illiam Neebel. She acquired her education
in the schools of Tama county, this state, and by her marriage has become the
mother of two children, Milo and Laura May.

In politics Mr. Benser is a socialist. As a citizen and business man he stands
high in the esteem of his fellow citizens, and the success that has come to him
is but the just reward of his earnest and persistent elTorts.

CAPTAIN GEORGE O. SNOWDEN.

Captain George O. Snowden departed this life April 13, 1914. Waterloo
had long known him as a representative, progressive and thoroughly honorable
business man and later had witnessed his retirement from active business and
seen him enjoy the fruits of his former toil through a period of ten or more
years of well earned rest. He always commanded the respect and inspired the
friendship of those with whom he came in contact. He was born in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, December 31, 1835, and was of Welsh descent. His ancestors
settled in the vicinity of Philadelphia prior to the time when William Penn
colonized the state. The great-grandfather was a sea captain and at the out-
break of the Revolutionary war entered the service of the Continental army, was
afterward captured by the British and died in Sugar House Prison, New York.
His wife was a woman of marked character and was devoted to the American
cause. She was the trusted friend of General ^^ ashington. who through her
received from time to time important information respecting the British forces
while they held Philadelphia.

John M. Snowden, Sr., the grandfather of Captain Snowden, was born in
Philadelphia in 1776 and in early life was apprenticed to ^Matthew Carey, the
well known printer. He started upon an independent business venture in the
establishment of a newspaper at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in partnership
with his brother-in-law, Mr. McCorkle. In 1798 he began the publication of
the Farmers Register at Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, which
was the first newspaper published in the west following the Pittsburgh Gazette.
While living in Greensburg he married and also became a member of the Pres-
byterian church. In 181 1 he removed to Pittsburgh and purchased the Com-
monwealth from Ephraim Portland, changing the name of the paper to the
Mercury. He also published a number of valuable books and became widely
known as one of the leading citizens of the state. He was the mayor of Pitts-
burgh from 1825 until 1828, served as recorder of deeds there and was also a
director of the Bank of Pittsburgh. In 1840 he was appointed associate judge,
serving in connection with Hon. Benjamin Patten. ITe was in high favor with
President Andrew Jackson and in various ways exerted considerable influence
over the administration. His death occurred very suddenly on the 2d of April,
1845, at his residence, Elm Cottage, on South avenue, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania.
His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Snowden, was a daughter of the Hon. John Moore,
who was a member of the convention that met in Philadelphia, July 15, 1776,
to frame the state constitution. Judge Moore w^as very active in public affairs

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 397

in Pennsylvania and was frequently called upon for public service. In the early
part of the Revolutionary war he was appointed a member of the committee of
safety and in 1785 was made presiding judge for Westmoreland county, con-
tinuing upon the bench until 1790. In 1792 he was elected to the state senate
from the district composed of Westmoreland and Allegheny counties and thus
in many ways he left the impress of his individuality upon the history of the
state. He died in 181 2, leaving two sons and four daughters.

John M. Snowden, Jr., the father of Captain Snowden, was born in Pitts-
burgh in 1806 and died at Oregon, Ogle county, Illinois, in 1863. To him and
his wife were born seven children: John, who was employed in the store of
his brother, Captain Snowden, and died in 1882 ; William, a druggist, who passed
away December 14, 1889; George O., of this review; Mary F., who passed away
in Waterloo in September, 1913; Daniel, a member of Company I, Fifteenth
Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, who was killed at the battle of Shiloh
in 1862 ; Mrs. Elizabeth E. Abbott, who passed away in Joplin on the 3d of
January, 1902; and Alfred, who died in Omaha, Nebraska, in February, 1889,
and was buried in Waterloo.

Captain Snowden was reared in his native city to the age of twenty years
and in 1855 became a resident of Oregon, Illinois, where he engaged in clerking
until 1858. In that year he went to the south and was employed on a steam-
boat until i860, when he again went to Oregon, Illinois, where he was employed
in his father's drug store. The following year, however, he put aside all busi-
ness and personal considerations and in August, 1861, enlisted as a private of
Company B, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In October of the same
year, at St. Louis, he was promoted to the rank of orderly sergeant and on the
I2th of June, 1862, became first lieutenant, being located at that time at Luray
in the Shenandoah valley. On the 13th of January, 1863, he was promoted to
captain of his company at Hilton's Head Island, South Carolina, and served
with his command in the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the James
River until November 10, 1864, when he was mustered out near Richmond,
A'irginia, for gunshot wounds which he had sustained unfitted him for duty
at the front. For a time he was in a hospital at Fortress Monroe and in
February, 1865, returned to the north.

Soon afterward Captain Snowden came to Waterloo, where he opened a
book and stationery store which he conducted successfully for more than a
third of a century, continuing in the trade until 1903. He enjoyed an unassail-
able reputation for business integrity and reliability as well as enterprise and
ranked for many years as one of the leading merchants of the city. In 1903,
however, he retired to enjoy well earned rest throughout his remaining days,
but he retained the ownership of his business block at No. 537 Commercial street
until 191 1, when he disposed of it to the Leavitt & Johnson Banking Company.

In early manhood Captain Snowden wedded Sarah E. Phelps, of Ogle county,
Illinois, who died in 1867. He afterward married Miss L. S. Cutler, of Water-
loo, who departed this life in September, 1876, leaving two children, Mrs. Ella
Wright and Louie I. The latter enlisted in Company B at Waterloo, Iowa, for
service in the Spanish-American war and was transferred to the signal corps at
Tampa, Florida, whence he went with Colonel Reber to Porto Rico. He was
honorably discharged at the close of hostilities and in 1903 became a resident

398 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

of Jennings, Louisiana, where he estabhshed a printing business. The daughter,
Mrs. Wright, is a distinguished china painter and decorator. She was born in
Waterloo, in the old building on Jefferson street which was used for a church.
She pursued her education in the public schools, her first teacher being Miss
Emma Wright, with Professor Page as principal of the schools. She was grad-
uated with the class of 1889 from the high school and has since given much of
her attention to painting. She does landscape work as well as china painting
and has taught in her own private studio since 1890. Her pupils come from
all over the state and she has received many prizes and awards at the state fairs
where she has exhibited her w^ork. She has one child, Chester Frederick, who
was born in Waterloo, July 21, 1892. He attended the public schools to the age
of fourteen years and then took up electrical engineering. For the past five years
he has been in the Armour Institute of Chicago and gives great promise along
the line of his chosen vocation. He is now- an honorary member of the American
Engineers and is a member of the Etta Kappa Nu. Captain Snowden was
married a third time, Mrs. Josephine R. Fuller becoming his wife. She was
born in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1840, and died February 29, 1896. By a former mar-
riage she had a son, Charles H., who resides in Springfield, Illinois. In the later
years of Captain Snowden's life his daughter, Mrs. Wright, lived with him and
managed his household affairs.

Politically Captain Snowden was a democrat until 1896, when because of
the attitude of the party upon the silver question he joined the ranks of the
republican party, which he continued to support until his demise. He held
membership with the Grand Army of the Republic and with the Military Order
of the Loyal Legion and he was also an exemplary member of the Masonic fra-
ternity. Those who knew him esteemed him highly and his genuine worth was
recognized by all with whom he came in contact whether in social or business
relations. He was ever as true and loyal to his country in days of peace as when
he followed the old fiag upon southern battlefields and the same spirit of fidelity
was manifest in everv relation between himself and his fellowmen.

RENSSELAER RUSSELL.

Rensselaer Russell, whose death occurred November 11. 1896, was one of
the pioneer business men and highly respected citizens of Waterloo, Iowa,
whither he came from his home, in New York, as early as 1857. He was born
in Otsego county. New York, at the place which is now called Snowden, near
Cooperstown, New York, June 18, 1828, and was one of a family of ten chil-
dren. He was a son of William Russell, a grandson of John Russell and John
Garrett, and a great-grandson of John Johnson.

Among the passengers who came to this country from England on board
the ship with Mr. Tunnicliff, in 1758, were John Russell and George Johnson,
who were at that time young men. John Russell was a carpenter by trade, and
was employed at once by Mr. Tunnicliff at the "Oaks." A building was erected
previous to the building of the sawmill, and the lumber for the house was all sawed

RENSSELAER RUSSELL

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 401

by Mr. Russell with a whip saw. He continued in the service of Mr. Tunnicliff
three years, and received one acre of land for each day's work. The land thus
purchased is located in the extreme western part of the town of Otsego, now
Snowden, Otsego county. New York, on the Otsego creek, and originally
embraced nine hundred acres. There John Russell continued to reside until his
death in 1832. He left eight children, and two of his sons, William and Thomas,
occupied the original land purchased by their father, until their decease, the
former dying March 16, 1859, aged seventy-two years, three months and ten
days, and the latter dying December 5, 1857, aged fifty-eight years.

William Russell's wife was a daughter of John Garrett, who was a passen-
ger on the vessel with John Tunnicliff. In 1758 John Garrett purchased a tract
of land in the valley of Butternut creek, and was the founder of Garrettsville,
Otsego county. John Garrett and his wife were taken prisoners by the Indians
during the Revolution and were absent from their Garrettsville home seven
years, being prisoners at Montreal. At the time of their capture, as they saw
the Indians approach the cabin, Mrs. Garrett seized her clock and silverware,
fled out the back door and concealed the silverware under an inverted pig
trough, while the clock was thrown hastily under the garden fence, where they
were found on their return from captivity. A gill of corn a day were the rations
given them by the Indians, and of this they managed to save much for their
three children. On their return they had to rebuy their farm from the govern-
ment.

For several years before his marriage and one year afterward Rensselaer
Russell was head salesman in the wholesale department of Hosmer and Hub-
bard, dry-goods merchants in New York. After leaving New York city, he
spent one year on the farm of William Richards, his wife's father, at Paris
Hill, New York. When in 1857, he and his wife and small daughter, Genevieve,
left for their new home at Waterloo, Iowa, they traveled by train to Dubuque,
Iowa, then drove by wagon to Waterloo, Iowa, fording the Cedar River between
Fourth and Fifth streets as there were not any bridges across this magnificent
stream then. They first occupied a house on Jefferson street near the present
Chicago and Great Western Railway crossing. The home on Russell Square,
now the residence of Mr. and Mrs. C. O. Lamson and children, Russell Lamson
and Maxine Russell Lamson, was built in 1861. In 1857 and for two years
following, Rensselaer Russell was associated with Martin H. Moore, under
the name of Moore and Russell, in the banking business. When the First
National Bank of Waterloo was opened Mr. Russell transferred his banking
interests to that organization and engaged in the real-estate business very
extensively. He was subsequently engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery
business, finally closing it out in 1886.

A large part of his life he was engaged buying and selling both Grundy
and Black Hawk county lands, and acquired a great deal of property in and
about Waterloo, and much of his time, during the later years of his life was
consumed in looking after his extensive real-estate interests in Waterloo.

The building, well known as the Russell building, was erected by him in
i860 and for a great many years the large room on the upper floor was used
for Episcopal church services, lodge purposes, and concerts and social gather-
ings, as it was the only hall of sufificient size. It was called Russell Hall and
Vol. n— 22

402 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

bore that name until 1908 when it was torn down when the annex to the large
Russell-Lamson mercantile and office building was erected.

For a number of years the Russell building was occupied by Mr. Russell
as a wholesale and retail grocery, and later when he continued the retail grocery
business, one-half of the building was rented to W. W. Forry as a drug store.

Mr. Russell was a man of enterprise and public spirit and labored zealously
to advance the interest of the community and he w^as much interested in bring-
ing new manufacturing interests to Waterloo. He was in an early day affiliated
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Burlington, N. Y.

Rensselaer Russell was united in marriage in 1853 ^^'^^h Caroline M. Rich-
ards, of Paris, New York, and to them were born two daughters : Genevieve,
who died in 1862, nearly six years of age, and Lillian, who after the death of
her mother continued to be the companion of her father until he was called to
his final rest.

On April 28, 1897, Lillian Richards Russell was married at Christ Episcopal
church to Clyde Orrin Lamson, one of the respected citizens of Waterloo, a
record of whose life appears elsewhere in this work.

Mr. Russell became a member of the vestry of St. Mark's Episcopal church
May 4, 1856, and at the time of his death was serving in the capacity of senior
warden. His death brought deep regret to his fellow citizens and lifelong
associates. He was a man of sterling qualities, perfectly honorable and upright
in his dealings with all people. He was of a genial disposition and it was always
a pleasure to him to meet and converse with the old settlers of Waterloo, and
the young people enjoyed his hospitality and friendship.

A. E. GLEN NY.

When in the battle of life the city boy crosses swords with the country lad
the odds are against him. The early rising, the daily tasks, the economical
habits of the country boy prepare him for the struggle that must precede
ascendency. The early training of A. E. Glenny was that of the farm and the
habits of industry and close application which he early developed have consti-
tuted the foundation of his present success. He is now a well known factor in
financial circles of Waterloo as vice president of the Black Hawk National Bank.

Mr. Glenny was born in Ontario, Canada, on the TQth of March. 1859, and
is a son of Alexander and Ellen (Erwin) Glenny. The father, a native of
Ireland, was of Scotch lineage and when a young man crossed the Atlantic to
Canada, settling near Ottawa, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising.
In 1870 he came to the United States, settling at Rockford. Illinois, where he
gave his attention largely to agricultural pursuits. In 1881 he arrived in Black
Hawk county, Iowa, settling on a farm on the Hudson road, five miles south-
west of Waterloo. There he continued to reside until his death, which occurred
in July, 1910, at the very venerable age of ninety-three years. His wife was a
native of Canada and also came of Scotch ancestry. She still survives and
resides upon the home farm in Black Hawk countv.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 403

A. E. Glenny attended a select school in Canada and the public schools of
Rockford, Illinois, being a youth of eleven years at the time of the removal of
the family to the latter city. He was also a pupil in the Rockford Commercial
College and was thus well trained for life's practical and responsible duties.
Through the periods of vacation he worked upon the home farm with his father,
whom he continued to assist in the development of the fields until he reached his
twenty-first year. The first money which he earned was thirty dollars received
for his share of the profits on two acres of potatoes raised on shares on his
father's farm. With this thirty dollars and some borrowed money he purchased
four cows, which he afterwards sold for one hundred dollars, and with the
capital thus acquired he began the business of buying and selling wood. He also
subsequently bought straw, which he hauled to the paper mills for one year.
After coming to Black Hawk county he worked for his father by the month at
a salary of twenty dollars per month. He was energetic, industrious and ambi-
tious and, carefully saving his earnings, he purchased in 1882 eighty acres of
land in this county, making a payment thereon and afterward meeting successive
payments until the property was cleared of all indebtedness. He still owns that
farm and subsequently he acquired other lands until he now has extensive prop-
erty interests in this county, including two farms in Black Hawk township and
two farms in Orange township, besides land in Grundy county. He continued
to make his home in Black Hawk township up to the time of his marriage, when
he removed to Orange township.

It was on the 23d of February, 1886, that Mr. Glenny wedded Miss Ella
Lichty, a daughter of Jacob P. Lichty, who came to Black Hawk county from
Pennsylvania in 1877. Following their marriage they removed to Orange town-
ship and as the years passed ]\Ir. Glenny engaged extensively and successfully
in farming, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and deriving
therefrom, as the result of abundant harvests, a substantial annual income. In
1900 he began the breeding of thoroughbred registered Aberdeen Angus cattle
and soon established an enviable reputation in that line, his strain being found
among many of the best herds throughout the middle west. For several years
he was an extensive cattle feeder and he also bought cattle throughout the west
and shipped into this county many of the stockers and feeders which he sold to
the farmers in this section of the state. He was not only successful in tilling
the soil and caring for his stock, but was first, last and all the time a business
man. There was method in every undertaking with which he was identified and
as a consequence he prospered. His business reached large proportions and he
became one of the men of affluence in Black Hawk county. In 1908 he left the
farm and removed to Waterloo and in 191 1 built the handsome residence on
Prospect Hill at No. 2409 West Fourth street where he now resides. He acquired
an interest in the Black Hawk National Bank, of which he was subsequently
made a director, and afterward was elected vice president of that institution.

To Mr. and Mrs. Glenny have been born two daughters, Lucile and Ruth
lone, both of whom were educated in Cornell College at Mount A'ernon, Iowa.
Mr. Glenny holds membership in Waterloo Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M. ;
Tabernacle Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M. ; Ascalon Commandery, No. 25, K. T. ;
Crescent Council. No. 16, R. & S. M. ; and El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S..
of Cedar Rapids, while his wife and daughters are members of the Order of the

404 JUSTURV OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Eastern Star. He and his family are members of the First Methodist Episcopal
church, in which Mr. Glenny is serving as a trustee. His life has ever been
actuated by high and honorable principles and upright purpose. He has ever
been found thoroughly reliable as well as progressive in business matters and he
is one of Waterloo's citizens who accomplillies what he undertakes. He is today
prominent as a man whose constantly expanding powers have taken him from
humble surroundings into the field of larger enterprise and continually broadening
opportunities and he has ever brought to bear upon the situation a clear under-
standing that has enabled him to readily solve complex problems.

MARTIN BERNARDY.

Martin Bernardy, a native son of Black Hawk county, has found prosperity
here and is the successful owner of a well stocked general store in Gilbertville.
He was born on the 2d of May, 1884, a son of Henry and Mary (Shumnesh)
Bernardy, both natives of Belgium. The father, who was born in 1837, died
in 1895 and the mother, whose birth occurred in 1843, is still living at the age of
seventy-one years. The father followed the occupation of a farmer in his
native land for a few years after reaching maturity, but when about twenty-
five years of age emigrated to the United States and settled in New York, where
he taught a German school. After making his home in the Empire state for some
time he removed to Iowa and began farming an eighty acre tract of land. As
that was four decades ago, conditions were very difi:'erent than those that prevail
at the present time and he found much to indicate that this section of the country
had lately been undeveloped prairie. He soon had his eighty acres under cultiva-
tion, and his industry and good management was rewarded by the financial
success that enabled him to purchase another eighty acres so that at the time
of his death he owned a quarter section of valuable land. He divided his time
and energy between the tilling of the soil and the raising of stock and found the
combination profitable. At the time of his death he was residing near Jubilee in
Fox township and although he returned to Belgium several times on a visit, he
always considered the United States his home after his emigration here. He
took a commendable interest in the afl:'airs of his community and was as loyal
a citizen as those who claim the United States as their birthplace. His political
allegiance was given to the democratic party, and he held a number of township
offices and also took an active interest in the work of the public schools. To his
marriage with Miss Shumnesh were born nine children, of whom the subject of
this review is the eighth in order of birth.

Mr. Bernardy entered the public schools at the usual age and passed from
grade to grade, receiving a good common school education. When twenty-five
years old he started out upon his independent business career and decided that the
mercantile field offered greater attractions than the work of a farmer. Up to
this time he had remained upon the homestead and had aided in its operation.
He became associated with J. P. Nemmers in the mercantile business and, the
venture proving successful, he is still devoting his energies to it. The general
store of which he is the owner is conducted along modern and progressive lines

■ HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 405

and Mr. Bernardy is always seeking to increase his service to his patrons, as he
realizes that only in this way can a permanent business be built up. He is also a
director and stockholder of the German Savings Bank.

Mr. Bernardy married Miss Loretta Gartner, a native of Fayette county, this
state, and a daughter of Benjamin and Anna (Schmidt) Gartner, who are resi-
dents of St. Lucas, Iowa. The mother is a native of Fayette county, this state.
The father is a carpenter and builder by trade and owns considerable valuable
farming property. He has been quite active in politics and is at present alder-
man and marshal of St. Lucas, which offices he has held for several years. Of
the five children in his family Mrs. Bernardy is the second in order of birth.
Before her marriage she was a school teacher in the district schools of Black
Hawk county and was successful in that profession.

Mr. Bernardy gives his allegiance to the democratic party and has held sev-
eral township offices, proving efficient and conscientious in the discharge of the
duties devolving upon him. Fraternally he belongs to the Catholic Order of
Foresters and has been recording secretary therein for five years. He has based
his course of action as a business man upon the principles of honesty, courtesy
and efficiency, and the growth of his store has been the natural outcome of his
energy and the wise direction of his affairs.

FRANK J. SCHMITT.

Frank J. Schmitt is a pioneer hardware and implement dealer of Dewar and
is successfully conducting business interests that place him among the repre-
sentative merchants of the county. He was born in Barclay township in 1868,
a son of Kasper and Matilda (Kunkle) Schmitt. The father, who was born
in 1831, passed away on the 17th of November, 1902, and the mother, who
was born in 1843, is now living on the old homestead in Barclay township.
They were natives of Germany and in that country the father learned the car-
penter's trade under the direction of his father. He worked at his trade and
also followed farming until he came to the United States in 1855, when twenty-
four years of age. He settled first in Ohio, where he was employed at his trade
and also followed other tasks, but lived there only a short time, removing from
the Buckeye state to Freeport, Illinois, where he again carried on farming.

In 1864 Kasper Schmitt arrived in Iowa and cast in his lot with the residents
of Black Hawk county. He purchased wild land and began breaking the prairie.
He made all of the improvements necessary in pioneer times and returning to
Illinois, he was there married, after which he returned to his farm and resided
thereon until the time of his death. He exemplified in his life the progressive
spirit which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of this part of the
state and he took an active and helpful interest in public affairs, doing all in
his power to further the upbuilding of the county, while at the same time he
carefully advanced his individual interests. He was married twice, his son,
Frank J., being the eldest of the eight children of his second marriage. The
father was one of the most extensive landowners of the county, and was still
the possessor of two hundred and forty acres at the time of his death, although

406 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

to each of his sons he had given considerable property. In his investments he
displayed sound judgment and as his financial resources increased he kept adding
to his holdings until his real-estate interests made him one of the most prosperous
citizens of the comminiity. He always carried on general farming and at the
same time made stock-raising an important feature of his business. He voted
with the democratic party but had no aspirations for public office. He held
membership in the Catholic church and was active in building its first house of
worship in Barclay township.

Frank J. Schmitt attended the district schools of the county and was reared
upon the home farm, thereon remaining until he reached the age of twenty- four
years. He saw no reason to change his occupation, for he believed that a good
living could be secured upon the farm by one not afraid to work. On leaving
home he secured land and for about nine years carried on general agricultural
pursuits on his own account. In 1900, however, he turned his attention to com-
mercial pursuits, joining F. W. Fritz in the establishment of a hardware and
implement business at Dewar, Iowa. In 1901 his brother Edward succeeded
Mr. Fritz in the partnership, which was then maintained under the name of
Schmitt Brothers. They still conduct the business, which has now reached
large and profitable proportions.

Mr. Schmitt was married in 1893 to Miss Johanna Murphy, a native of
Cleveland, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Mary (McLaughlin) Murphy, who
were natives of Ireland. The father came to the United States when a young
man and worked as a laborer in the east but when he came to Iowa took up the
occupation of farming and became the owner of land which he cultivated in a
practical manner that brought good returns. He also engaged in stock-raising.
In the later years of his life he put aside all business cares and lived retired
in Dewar. To Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt have been born three children, as follows :
Gertrude, who is now a student in Our Lady of Victory Academy of Waterloo ;
and Walter and Lawrence, both of whom are attending school in Dewar, Iowa.

The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and Mr. Schmitt
holds membership with the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Society, the
Catholic Order of Foresters and the Knights of Columbus. His political alle-
giance is given the democratic party and he has been very active in community
afifairs, holding nearly all of the township offices. In 1914 he was elected with-
out opposition to the position of supervisor from Fox, Poyner and Barclay town-
ships and is now serving on the county board. He is a progressive, wide-awake
man, keeping in touch with the spirit of the times and interested in all measures
that afifect the welfare and progress of the community.

J. W. HENDERSON.

J. W. Henderson, treasurer of the William Galloway Company, has been a
resident of Waterloo for eight years and has become well established in public
regard as a leading representative of industrial and manufacturing activity here.
Iowa numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Tama
county in 1881. He completed his public-school education by a course in the high

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 407

school at Gladbrook, Iowa, and later attended Drake University at Des Moines,
being thus qualified by liberal educational training for the activities and respon-
sibilities of business life. He then became connected with the lumber trade at
Bevington, Iowa, where he remained for a year and then went to Vancleve, Iowa,
as an employe of the S. C. Lee Lumber Company of Des Moines, spending a
year and a half there as yard manager. On the expiration of that period he came
to Waterloo and entered the employ of the William Galloway Company as clerk
in charge of all of the accounts in the accounting department. Two years later
he was advanced to the position of treasurer of the company and continues in
that connection, being therefore an officer in one of the largest and most impor-
tant productive industries of the state. He is a young man of laudable ambition
and has always displayed industry, energy and determination in the conduct of
business affairs with which he has been connected and his present position is a
most enviable one.

In 1908 Mr. Henderson was joined in wedlock to Miss Margaret Grace Gallo-
way and they have one son, William Wallace. Mr. Henderson belongs to the
Chamber of Commerce and to the Waterloo Club. He and his wife are members
of the United Presbyterian church and theirs is an enviable social position, the
hospitality of the best homes being cordially extended them, while the good cheer
of their own home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.

THOMAS F. McDonnell.

Thomas F. McDonnell, a carpenter and contractor of Waterloo, has gained
an enviable reputation for conscientious and thorough work as a member of the
firm known as Thomas F. McDonnell & Company, one of the leading contracting
firms of the city. He was born in Fairbank, Iowa, on the ist of August, 1871,
a son of Thomas and Emeline (Meyers) McDonnell, natives of Wisconsin and
Pennsylvania respectively. In the early '60s they emigrated to Iowa and pur-
chased a farm in Buchanan county, where the mother passed away in 1902. The
father continued to live there until 1906, when he retired and removed to Oel-
wein, where he is still living. They were the parents of thirteen children : Mary,
who died in infancy : Thomas F., of this review ; William, deceased ; Ella, the
wife of Martin Prebble, of Fairbank, Iowa; Margaret, who married James D.
Cowley, of Waterloo; Rose, the deceased wife of Mathew Harman, of Oelwein ;
John, who is living in Canada ; James, deceased ; Leo, of Survey, Nebraska ; Edna,
the wife of Roy Wolf, of Oelwein : Genevieve, who makes her home with her
brother, Thomas F. ; Benjamin, who is a bookkeeper for the firm of Thomas F.
McDonnell & Company ; and Clarence, deceased.

Thomas F. McDonnell attended the district schools near his father's farm in
the vicinity of Oelwein until he was eighteen years of age and thus acquired a
good education. He then learned the carpenter's trade and was employed by
others for eight years. In 1904 he began contracting, conducting his business
alone until 1914, when he became associated with Arthur A. Shippy. a sketch of
whom appears elsewhere in this work. The firm is known as Thomas F. McDon-
nell & Company, general contractors. Mr. McDonnell has confined his attention

408 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

altogether to the building of residences and is recognized as an authority in that
line. In 1907 he and Burt Land became interested in a sawmill business in
Waterloo and in Wisconsin and they continued in that connection for seven
years.

On the 28th of December, 1900, Mr. McDonnell was united in marriage to
Miss Laura Prebble, a native of this state and a daughter of Fletcher and Mercy
(Oncie) Prebble. Her father was a native of Indiana and her mother of Iowa.
Mr. Prebble was during his active life a farmer and also a contractor but is now
living retired in Waterloo, having survived his wife since 1900. To Mr. and
Mrs. McDonnell have been born two children : Lawrence, whose birth occurred
on the nth of July, 1906; and Iva, born June 21, 191 1.

Mr. McDonnell generally supports the republican party but reserves the right
to cast an independent ballot if he thinks best to do so. He has proven his
ability as a contractor and is considered one of the successful business men of
Waterloo, where he is also held in high esteem for his admirable personal char-
acteristics.

IRA FINCH.

The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the records of
Black Hawk county without learning that the Finch family has been closely and
prominently connected with the work of development and upbuilding here since
pioneer times. Ira Finch was born in Lester township, this county, the date of
his birth being November 23, 1862. He is descended from one of the old families
of Pennsylvania and representatives of the name were living in the Wyoming
valley at the time of the memorable Indian massacre, some of them losing their
lives at the hands of the redmen. His father, W^illiam Bennett Finch, was a
native of Pennsylvania, born June 19, 1819, and on the 13th of August. 1853,
in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, he wedded Miss Elizabeth Stroh, who was born
in that state on the 27th of March, 183 1. She was a daughter of Peter Stroh,
who was born in Berks county,' Pennsylvania. November 20, 1805, and was
drowned in the Susquehanna river on the 9th of October, 1840. His wife, who
bore the maiden name of Julia Ann Nihart, was born in Monroe county, Penn-
sylvania, November 14, 1805, and passed away in October, 1873. Mr. and Mrs.
Stroh were the parents of seven children : Amos, who was born September 6,
1827; Henry, born January 10, 1829; Elizabeth, born March 27, 183 1 : John,
whose birth occurred in April, 1833; Mary, born October 21, 1835; Sarah, July
21, 1837 ; and Lydia, April 3, 1840. All were born and reared in Luzerne county,
Pennsylvania, where the parents had settled in pioneer times.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. William B. Finch began .their
domestic life in the Keystone state but afterward heard and heeded the call of the
west, believing that they would find better opportunities in this new and growing
country. They made the overland trip from Pennsylvania and took up their abode
in Independence, while subsequently they removed to Lester township, this
county, becoming active factors in the pioneer development and improvement of
this section of the state. The father devoted his energies to general agricultural

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 409

pursuits and was thus engaged to the time of his death, which occurred in Lester
township, October 4, 1880, when he was sixty-one years of age. His wife long
survived him and died on the old home farm in Lester township, January '15,
1907, when in the seventy-sixth year of her age. They reared a large family, as
follows: George, who was born at Quasqueton, Iowa, April 6, 1855, and passed
away September 30, 1857; Henry, who was born August i, 1856, and died in
Wisconsin, May 15, 1908; William, who was born July 11, 1858, and died at
Hayes City, Kansas, April 13, 1878; Mrs. Julia Higbee, who was born August
7, 1859, and is now living in Montana; Amos, who was born March 6, 1861, and
is now a resident of Wisconsin; Ira, of this review; Levi, who was born July 20,
1865, and is now residing in Fairbank ; Frank, who was born June 30, 1866, and
is operating the mill at Fairbank; and Ellen Jane, who was born August i, 1873,
and died August 20, 1880. With the exception of the eldest child all were born
and reared in Lester township.

Through the period of his youth Ira Finch aided in the work of the home farm
and pursued a public-school education. He also attended the Iowa State Teachers'
College for one year and for a year taught school, after which he returned to the
farm. He has since followed the occupation of farming, having no desire to
change his vocation, and today he is the owner of two hundred and seventy acres
of choice land on section 12, Lester township, one hundred and thirty acres on
sections 13 and 24, and ninety-three acres on sections 16 and 17, Fairbank town-
ship, Buchanan county. The tract of two hundred and seventy acres and that
of ninety-three acres are both well improved, the fields having been brought to
a high state of cultivation. The home is commodious, is well furnished and
attractive, and in the management of his business interests Mr. Finch has so
conducted his afifairs as to win a substantial competence.

At Littleton, Iowa, on the i8th of February, 1889, Mr. Finch was united in
marriage to Miss Ruhama Elliott, who was born March 7, 1865, in Lester town-
ship, on the farm where she now lives. Her parents, Andrew and Hannah (Wil-
son) Elliott, were among the pioneer settlers of the county. Both were natives
of Ohio, the former born February 11, 1828, and the latter April 14, 1826. They
were married in Quasqueton, Iowa, December 14, 1854, and removed from that
place to Lester township the following year. Mrs. Elliott was a daughter of
Samuel Wilson, who was born February 8, 1797, and died in Buchanan county
on the 27th of February, 1870. In 1817 he married Dorcas Miller, who has also
passed away. Their daughter Hannah became the wife of Andrew Elliott and for
many years they resided in Lester township, enjoying the high regard, good-will
and confidence of those with whom business or social relations brought them in
contact. They became the parents of five children: Mrs. Jane Addeman, who
was born April 3, 1857, and is now residing in Fairbank township; Mary Ann.
who was born February 23, 1859, and is now deceased; Charles Wilson, who was
born June 3, i860, and is living in Fairbank ; Elizabeth R., who was born June
13, 1863, and has passed away and Mrs. Finch, who is the youngest. Mr. and
Mrs. Elliott continued residents of Lester township until called to their final rest,
the father departing this life on the 15th of July, 1895.

To Mr. and Mrs. Finch four children have been born. The eldest, Wilber
Wilson, born March 4, 1890, attended the district schools, was graduated from
the hi^ii school at Fairbank and spent one year at the Oelwein Business College

410 JilSTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

and is now residing in Fairbank township. Charles E., born April 7, 1893,
attended the common schools, was graduated from the Fairbank high school and
also spent one year in the Iowa State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls and one
year in the Upper Iowa University at Fayette. He is now assisting his father
in the operation of the home farm. Lester, born December 5, 1896, is attending
the high school at Fairbank and Elizabeth, born June 8, 1901. is also a student in
Fairbank.

The family is prominently and favorably known in this section of the state.
Mr. Finch is a member of Fairbank lodge, A. F. & A. M., and he and his family
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he has always been a
stanch republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he
has been justice of the peace and trustee in Lester township, discharging his
duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents.

JOSEPH HACKER.

Joseph Hacker is a hardware merchant, conducting a growing business at No.
809 East Fourth street, in Waterloo. He was born in Germany in 1852, while his
parents were there on a visit. He is a son of Fred and Katherine Hacker, both
of whom were natives of Baden, Germany, and who in 1846 crossed the Atlantic
to America. Soon afterward the father enlisted for service in the Mexican war
and was on duty as a marine on a man-of-war. After the cessation of hostilities
he settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was married there. In 185 1 he and
his wife returned to Germany on a visit and in 1853 came again to the new
world, once more taking up their abode in Philadelphia, where Mr. Hacker con-
ducted a bakery business until 1856. He then came to the west and settled in
Dubuque, Iowa. He worked at the bakery business for a time and later was
employed in various ways but in 1865 became a storekeeper for the Illinois Cen-
tral Railroad Company, in which capacity he continued until 1886. He then
retired, since which time he has made his home with his son Joseph. He is now
eighty-eight years of age and has lived in Waterloo since 1878, coming to this
city at the time the Illinois Central Railroad shops were moved here. He has
long survived his wife, who passed away in 1865. In their family were two sons
and three daughters, of whom Joseph and Frank, a resident of Friend, Nebraska,
are the only ones now living.

Joseph Hacker acquired his education in Dubuque and was employed at
various occupations until 1868, when he entered upon an apprenticeship to the
copper and tinsmith's trade in the machine shops of the Illinois Central Railroad
Company. He worked for that company until 1872, when he went to Cedar
Rapids and became foreman of the first copper and tin shop of the Burlington,
Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad Company. He superintended the building
of the tin shop and in fact established this branch of the business in connection
with the railroad interests at that place. He continued to conduct the copper and
tin shop there for two years and then came to Waterloo, where in 1875 he
embarked in business on his own account, opening a tin shop together with a
small stock of hardware. He has since conducted the business with growing

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 411

success and in this period has changed location five dififerent times in order to
secure larger quarters but has always been on Fourth street except for a short
time when he was on Sycamore street. He has developed the business from a
small beginning to one of the leading enterprises of the kind in Waterloo and is
today proprietor of a large and well appointed hardware establishment at No.
809 East Fourth street.

In 1912 Mr. Hacker turned over the hardware business to his two sons, Fred
J. and Sidney J., who still continue proprietors of one of the leading hardware
stores of the city, vying w^ith their father in making their establishment, like his
growing enterprise, a credit to Waterloo. As time has passed and Mr. Hacker has
prospered in his undertakings he has built a number of residences and has also
become the owner of a number of business properties in Waterloo and from his
real estate derives a good rental which adds materially to his annual income. He
likewise has property in other towns. He has built two stores and seven resi-
dences in Waterloo and his oldest son owns five buildings in the city, while the
■younger son owns two residences — all of which seems to indicate that the boys
have inherited their father's excellent business ability, sagacity and enterprise.

In 1872 Mr. Hacker was united in marriage to Miss Eva Weick, who was
born near Davis, Illinois, a daughter of John Weick, who came from Illinois to
Iowa in 1869 and settled on the boundary line between Bremer and Black Hawk
counties, where he and his wife occupied a farm until they were called to their
final rest. Mr. and Mrs. Hacker became the parents of five children : Mary S.,
who died in early womanhood ; Fred J., a hardware merchant of Waterloo ; Frank,
deceased; Clara, the wife of Edward F. Rciley, of Mattoon, lUinois; and Sidney
J., who is his brother's partner in the hardware business.

The family are of the Catholic faith and Mr. Hacker gives his political
allegiance to the democratic party. In the early '90s he served as a member of the
city council of Waterloo. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and
with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is alert to all those interests that
affect the welfare of the community and his co-operation can be counted upon
to further measures for the general good; at the same time his activities have
been concentrated upon his business affairs and his careful and systematic man-
agement thereof has led to his success.

JACOB SCHARES.

Jacob Schares, the popular and efficient cashier of the German Savings Bank
of Gilbertville, was born in Fox township, Black Hawk county, in 1871. His
parents, WilHam and Barbara (Heiner) Schares, were both natives of Priesen,
Germany, which is in the Rhine country, the former born in 1820 and the latter
in 1828. The father was an only son and was therefore exempt from the usual
military service. He lived in a village but devoted his time to cultivating his
truck farm, a short distance from the town, and in this way provided for the
support of his family. Upon coming to the United States in 1865 he located in
Fox township, Black Hawk county, where he became the owner of three hundred
and twenty acres of land. He followed general farming and also raised consider-

412 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

able stock and devoted his whole time to his agricultural pursuits, becoming one
of the most successful farmers of his locality. He passed away May 5, 1888, but
his widow survived until July 28, 1905. They were communicants of the Catholic
church.

Mr. Schares of this review is the youngest of their eight children, seven of
whom are residents of this county. He attended a German school in the summer
and the district schools in the winter and gained a good education. He also
found time to assist his father with the work of the homestead and thus was
competent to operate a farm when, at the age of twenty-one, he assumed charge
of his mother's farm. Two years later he started out in life for himself and
engaged in agricultural pursuits for ten years. At the end of that time he sold
his farming interests and with his brother engaged in the implement business in
Gilbertville, continuing in that connection for about ten years. He then in com-
pany with others organized the German Savings Bank of Gilbertville and it was a
high testimonial to his popularity and reputation for integrity and business ability
that the entire block of stock was subscribed for in twenty hours. Since the
establishment of the bank Mr. Schares has been its cashier and its steady, normal
growth has been due in large measure to his financial and executive ability and
the close watch which he keeps on all phases of the work of the bank. He is
also a notary public and a stockholder in the \\'aterloo. Cedar Falls & Northern
Railroad. He believes in the value of farming lands as an investment and owns
two hundred and thirty acres in this county, from v;hich he derives a substantial
addition to his income.

In 1908 Mr. Schares was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Herrig. a
native of Jackson county, this state, and a daughter of William and Katherine
(Nemmers) Herrig. Mrs. Herrig is a sister of Father Nemmers, a sketch of
whom appears elsewhere in this work. She was born in Germany in 1843 and
^Ir. Herrig was born in that country in 1829. He was a stonemason and followed
his trade in connection with farming for many years. He owns considerable
land in Jackson county and is still residing there, respected and esteemed as one
of the substantial men of his community and as one who is always willing to do
anything within his power to promote its advancement and progress. He and his
family were early settlers and experienced the hardships and inconvenience of
pioneer life. Mr. and Mrs. Schares have three children. Roman, Bernadette and
Ida. The family attend the Catholic church and Mr. Schares is a member of the
Catholic Order of Foresters. He is esteemed and respected equally for his busi-
ness ability and his uprightness and has many stanch friends in the county where
he has resided during his entire life.

H. B. PLUMB.

H. B. Plumb is the secretary of the Iowa Dairy Separator Company nnd
vice president of the Associated Manufacturers. Company, which connections
win him recognition as a leading business man of Waterloo. He is a native of
the state of New York and on leaving the east came to this city in 1900. Here
he entered into active association with the Iowa Dairy Separator Company and

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 413

on the incorporation of the business he was elected to the position of secretary,
in which connection he bends his efforts to administrative direction and execu-
tive control. The business is one of growing importance and his efforts, keen
insight and unfaltering energy are elements in its continuous growth.

In 1906 Mr. Plumb was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Ballvett of Water-
loo, and they are well known in this city, having here an extensive circle of
warm friends. Mr. Plumb is a member of the Commercial Club and Board of
Trade and is interested in all the projects and plans for the upbuilding of the
city and the extension of its trade connections. In his life he exemplifies the
progressive spirit which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the
middle west and his efforts have been an element in the city's commercial advance-
ment as well as the source of his individual success.

H. S. RAYMOND.

H. S. Raymond is the vice president of the Cement Products Company, con-
ducting business at the corner of Concrete avenue and Water street in Waterloo.
He was born in the city in which he makes his home in 1868, his parents being
E. A. and Sarah E. (Prentice) Raymond, who were natives of New York, in
which state they were reared and married. Coming to the west, the father spent
a few years in looking over the country in search of a favorable location and
finally in 1856, made permanent settlement in Waterloo, which was then a small
town, giving little indications of reaching the metropolitan proportions which it
today enjoys. For a year he followed teaming and then opened a store on Com-
mercial and Fourth streets on the present site of the Black Hawk National Bank.
After E. A. Raymond became well estabhshed in business here seven of his
brothers came to the middle west and embarked in business in various sections of
Iowa and Nebraska. They were members of a family of twelve children and
their father was a minister in New York state, while one of the brothers also
devoted his life to the work of the ministry.

E. A. Raymond, turning his attention to mercantile pursuits, conducted his
store until 1883 and won substantial success through his capable management
and well directed efforts. He then discontinued the business and retired to enjoy
a well earned rest, giving his attention only to the supervision of his property
interests in Iowa and South Dakota. Both he and his wife were very active
workers and consistent members in the Presbyterian church, contributed gen-
erously to its support and did much to further its work, Mr. Raymond serving as
an elder thereof for forty years. He died in August, 1909, having for five
years survived his wife, who passed away in March, 1904. In their family were
three children, of whom H. S. is the eldest. The others are: Fred M., who is
conducting a large mercantile establishment at North Yakima, Washington; and
Eloise P., a nurse, who was graduated from the Johns Hopkins Hospital oi Balti-
more, Maryland, and is now practicing her profession in Buffalo, New York.

H. S. Raymond passed through consecutive grades in the public schools of
Waterloo until he became a high-school pupil. He also attended Coe College at
Cedar Rapids and the Union University at Schenectady, New York, with the class

414 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

of 1893. After completing his education he was in the express service for six
years, doing office work during the last four years of that time. In 1899 Re-
turned his attention to the grocery business at O'Neil. Nebraska, in connection
with his brother, Fred. Later he sold out there and in 1900 became connected
with the Alliance Electric Light Company. Three years later he entered the train
service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and continued for four
years. He then returned and took charge of the night shift for the Alliance
Electric Light Company, there remaining until the death of his father in 1909,
when he again came to Waterloo to take charge of his father's estate as admin-
istrator. AMiile thus engaged he became one of the organizers of the Cement
Products Company in 1910 and served as president and manager for two years,
since which time he has been the vice president and is one of the largest stock-
holders of the company, which is conducting an extensive and growing business
that has won classification with the leading productive industries of the city.

Mr. Raymond votes with the republican party, yet is liberal in his views and
has never sought nor desired the honors and emoluments of public office. He
holds membership with the Alpha Delta Phi, a college fraternity, with the Benevo-
lent Protective Order of Elks and with the Presbyterian church, in which he is
serving as an elder and as secretary of the Sunday school. He does everything
in his power to advance moral progress in the conomunity and is a contributor
to the various different lines of church work. His life in every relation has
commanded for him the confidence and goodwill of his fellow townsmen and he
is one of the highly honored residents of his native city.

FRANK BORNONG.

Frank Bornong has since 191 2 been engaged in the implement business in
Gilbertville in connection with his brother and the firm has already gained an
enviable position in business circles of the town. He is still quite a young man
as his birth occurred in 1886. He was born in Poyner township. Black Hawk
county, a son of John P. and Alary ( Schmitz ) Bornong. natives of Neider Ker-
schen, Luxemburg, and Bad Ems, Prussia, respectively. The father was born in
1843 and passed away in 191 1. The mother is still living in' Gilbertville, at the age
of fifty-nine. John P. Bornong followed farming in Germany and upon emi-
grating to the Lnited States in 1875 made his w^ay to this county and settled upon
a farm in Poyner township. In his young manhood he served for three years in
the German army. After locating in this county he continued to devote his time
to agricultural pursuits and at the time of his death owned one hundred and fifty
acres of valuable land. He was without political aspirations, and the cultivation
of his land received his entire attention.

Frank Bornong is the third in a family of seven children, and his educational
opportunities were limited to attendance at the district schools. He remained
at home until he was twenty-five years old and then began cultivating a small farm
in Poyner township. He was so engaged for a year but in 191 2 joined his
brother in the conduct of an implement business in Gilbertville. Their store has a
reputation for excellent goods and fair prices, and the volume of business is

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 415

steadily increasing. Mr. Bornong is also a stockholder in the German Savings
Bank of Gilbertville and is a stockholder and secretary of the Washburn Ray-
mond Telephone Company and a director in the Gilbertville Light Company.

Mr. Bornong married Miss Katherine DeMuth, who is a native of this county
and a daughter of Bernard and Susan (Deneff) DeMuth, both of whom are
deceased. Her father was a farmer in Germany and continued to devote his time
to the cultivation of land after coming to this country in 1865. He settled in
Black Hawk county and became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of
land. Mrs. Bornong is the youngest of his seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Bornong
have a son, Joseph G., born December 31, 1913.

Mr. Bornong's fraternal connection is with the Catholic Order of Foresters,
in which he is a trustee. He also belongs to the Iowa Implement Dealers' Associa-
tion, as he believes in the value of organization for the betterment of trade condi-
tions. He is up-to-date and progressive in all that he does, and the success that he
has already achieved in business is but an indication of the greater prosperity
which the years probably hold in store for him. ,

J. J. PETERSON.

J. J. Peterson is a well known contractor and builder in brick, stone or frame
and also fireproof buildings, his office being No. 807 West Mullen avenue, Water-
loo. He was born at Liberty Pole, Vernon county, Wisconsin, in 1869, a son of
L. P. Peterson, a native of Denmark, who after coming to the new world followed
the contracting business and also engaged in farming in Vernon county, Wis-
consin, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1912. His widow
survives.

J. J. Peterson acquired his early education in the common schools of his native
state and after he had mastered the branches of learning therein taught he took
up the carpenter's trade, becoming a good workman in that field of labor. He
followed carpentering in Wisconsin until 1904, when he came to Iowa, and after
six months spent in Independence removed to Waterloo, where he continued to
work at his trade. He has been connected with the construction of some of the
leading buildings of the city in the years which have since come and gone and was
, superintendent of the construction of the Waterloo postoffice. He also aided in
the erection of the First Methodist Episcopal church, the Emerson school and the
Whittier school, all of Waterloo, was also the builder of the courthouse in Decatur
county and one of the buildings at the State Hospital in Cherokee, Iowa. In the
early part of 19 14 he began contracting on his own account and is meeting with
substantial success.

In 1903 Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Hattie M. Webster, a
native of Independence, Iowa, and a daughter of Saxon Webster. Mrs. Peterson
passed away in 1912, leaving one daughter, Elsie Gertrude, who was born in
December, 1905, and is now attending school. Mrs. Peterson was a member of
the First Methodist Episcopal church and a lady of many excellent traits of
heart and mind which endeared her to those with whom she came in contact. Mr.
Peterson and his daughter also belong to the same church and they are well known

416 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

socially in Waterloo. Politically he is a republican, but not an office seeker. He
has always felt that the pursuits of private life are in themselves abundantly
worthy of his best efforts and, therefore, he has concentrated his attention upon
building operations and has gained a creditable place among the capable con-
tractors and builders of Waterloo.

FRANK F. KNAPP.

Frank F. Knapp, engaged in the real-estate and loan business in Waterloo,
was bom in Mount Vernon, this county, in 1858, a son of Solomon Knapp, who
in February, 1855, started for Iowa from Joliet, Illinois, crossing the Mississippi
river on the ice. He took up his abode first in Mount X^ernon township, where
he carried on farming for several years, but in 1864 removed to Waterloo town-
ship, where he again secured a tract of farming land, making his home thereon
to the time of his death, which occurred in 1908. He always followed general
farming and stock-raising. The land upon which he settled in Waterloo town-
ship was a wild and unimproved tract, but with characteristic energy he broke
the sod and converted the land into productive fields that are still in possession
of his son, Frank F. Knapp. Something of the increase in property values in
this county is indicated in a little incident which occurred to the subject of this
review. Following his marriage in 1882 he was one day during that year walk-
ing with his wife down near the river when a man approached him, wishing to
make a sale. He owned a portion of what was later known as the Daily fann
and offered the land to Mr. Knapp for five dollars per acre. The same place
could not be purchased today for two thousand dollars an acre.

Frank F. Knapp was born and reared in this county and was educated in the
district schools. He early became familiar with all of the duties and labors inci-
dent to the work of the fields, for through vacation periods he aided in plowing,
planting and harvesting. He afterward taught school for ten years in this county
and proved a capable educator, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowl-
edge that he had acquired.

In 1882, Mr. Knapp was married to Miss Alice M. Janes, of Union township,
a daughter of E. L. Janes, who was a native of DuPage county, New
York, and settled in Black Hawk county in 1853. Mr. Knapp and his bride
began their domestic life upon a farm which they occupied for four or five
years. They then removed to Cedar Falls and Mr. Knapp accepted a position as
a traveling salesman, remaining upon the road as a representative for Altman
Miller & Company nine years. While a resident of Cedar Falls he also served
for six years as a member of the city council and exercised his official preroga-
tives in support of many plans and measures for the public good. In 1900 he
was elected recorder and served in that office for six years and four months.
He was then appointed justice of the peace of East Waterloo township and has
since occupied that office, discharging his duties without fear or favor. Mr.
Knapp has always been active in politics and his position upon important ques-
tions has never been an equivocal one. He stands loyally for what he believes
to be right and does everything in his power to further the interests and up-

FRANK F. KNAPP

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 419

building of the community in which he lives. He is engaged in the real-estat*^
and loan business in Waterloo and is meeting with well deserved success in those
lines.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Knapp own farm property in this county and from their
holdings derive a substantial annual income. Their children are : Frank E., who
is now engaged in the jewelry business in Waterloo; Myrtle, the wife of Herbert
Pett, of Waterloo township; Pearl, who married Joseph Kern, foreman for the
Cherokee Manufacturing Company of Cherokee, Iowa ; Mamie, who is with the
Bankers Accident Insurance Company, of Waterloo; and Bessie, Forrest, Maud
and Clair, all at home.

Mr. Knapp holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and
with the American Yeomen. His entire life has been passed in this county, so
that he is numbered among its pioneer settlers, having been a witness of the
growth and development of this section of the state for fifty-six years. He has
seen many changes during this period and his memory forms a connecting link
between the primitive past and the progressive present. His grandfather, Solo-
mon Knapp, who arrived in Cedar Falls in 1853, was the pioneer Baptist minister
of this section and it has been said that he was the first Baptist minister to preach
a sermon in Chicago, which was about the year 1833. Since the earliest arrival
of the family in Black Hawk county its representatives have borne a helpful part
in bringing about present day conditions of progress and prosperity and Frank
F. Knapp is today a well known business man and official, conducting important
interests in the field of real estate and loans and at the same time doing important
public service in his faithful discharge of his duties as justice of the peace.

GUY N. SEE.

Guy N. See, treasurer of the Waterloo Skirt & Garment Company, has for a
quarter of a century been a resident of the city in which he still resides and in
which he has won a prominent position in business circles. He was born in John-
son county, Iowa, near Iowa City, in 1883, and he has ever been actuated by the
spirit of enterprise which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding and
development of this state. His youthful days were spent upon a farm with the
usual experiences that fall to the lot of the farm lad as he divides his time between
the work of the fields and the acquirement of a public-school education. He felt
that he would prefer other pursuits than that of tilling the soil, however, and
early in life he took up the study of telegraphy. He was with the Rock Island
Railroad Company until 1904, representing that road in various places as an

operator.

In that year, however, Mr. See turned his attention to commercial pursuits and
entered the office of the Waterloo Skirt & Garment Company. Gradually he
worked his way upward, became one of the stockholders and on the ist of January,
191 1, was elected treasurer of the company, in which capacity he has since served,
largely assisting in the management and control of the financial affairs of the
business. This is one of the important manufacturing interests of Waterloo. The
company owns a large plant splendidly equipped with the latest improved ma-

Vol. 11 ^23

420 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

chinery for cutting the garments and facilitating the work of making the skirts,
petticoats and other things manufactured by the house. They utiHze ten thousand
yards of cloth daily and that their business is an extensive one is indicated by the
fact that their trade extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They have eighteen
traveling salesmen upon the road and the house has a well established reputation
for reliability as well as enterprise. It is a factor in Waterloo's prosperity in that
it furnishes employment to a large force of operatives in the factory and through
its sales brings to the city a considerable capital.

In 1902 Mr. See was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Bennett, of Waterloo,
by whom he has four children, namely : Walter, Robert, Kenneth and Frances.
The family attend the Grace Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. See contributes
generously to its support. He holds membership with the Masonic lodge and also
in the Town Criers Club and in the Commercial Club and Board of Trade. He is
a public-spirited citizen, interested in all plans and projects for the benefit and
upbuilding of Waterloo, and in these plans he is often a hearty cooperant. He
belongs to that class of men in whom America takes just pride — the class known
as self-made, for he started out in life empty-handed and has worked his way
steadily upward, depending upon his own resources from early youth. His powers
have grown through the exercise of effort and each forward step has brought hmi
a broader outlook and wider opportunities until he is today a leading factor in the
manufacturing circles of his adopted city.

PHILIP KOESTER.

Philip Koester is secretary of the Waterloo Sash & Fixture Works and as
such a factor in the industrial activities of his city. He was born in Hessen,
Germany, on the 25th of March, 1865, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Koester, both
of whom are still residents of Germany. The son was reared under the parental
roof to his seventeenth year and was educated in public and private schools. The
opportunities of the new world attracted him and in 1882 he came to the United
States, making his way at once to Waterloo.

Both his father and grandfather had been cabinetmakers and Philip Koester
had learned the trade under their direction in Germany. After locating in Water-
loo he secured employment in the furniture factory of Daniels & Slade. He was
then a lad of but seventeen years, but with courage and determination he faced
life with its duties and responsibilities. He applied himself diligently to the work
in hand. He had previously learned drafting and this stood him in good stead.
His fidelity and adaptability enabled him to win promotion from time to time
and four years later he was made foreman of the plant, remaming with that firm
for twenty-two years, eighteen years of which time he was foreman. No higher
testimonial of capability, merit, efficiency and fidelity can be given than the fact
that he was retained in that postion of responsibility through all those years not-
withstanding the fact that the house underwent various changes in organization
and ownership. It was first merged into the Beck, Nauman & Watts Company
and subsequently into the Nauman Company, controlling one of the largest manu-
facturing plants for bank and office fixtures in the state.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 421

In 1904 Mr. Koester resigned his position with the Nauman Company and
became one of the organizers of the Waterloo Sash & Fixture Works, manufactur-
ing bank and office fixtures, doors, sash and stair work. The business has grown
continually and has been developed into one of the important manufacturing
industries of Waterloo. The success of the enterprise is attributable largely to
the efforts of Mr. Koester, whose practical knowledge of the mechanical phase of
the business as well as his skill in directing its financial interests has made it a
prosperous undertaking.

In 1885 Mr. Koester was united iri marriage to Miss Elizabeth Witnaur, who
was born in Black Hawk county, her parents being natives of Switzerland and
early settlers of this county. Our subject and his wife have five sons and two
daughters, namely : Elsie Elizabeth, who is the wife of F. M. Shortridge of Des
Moines; Ralph P. and Philip, Jr., both of whom are employed in the Waterloo
Sash & Fixture Works ; Frederick, who is a senior in the high school ; Madaline ;
William, a high-school student ; and Emmons.

Fraternally Mr. Koester is identified with the following organizations : Water-
loo Lodge, No. 105, A. F. & A. M. ; Tabernacle Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M. ; Ascalon
Commandery, No. 25, K. T. ; Crescent Council, No. 16, R. & S. M. ; El Kahir
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.; the Consistory, having taken the thirty-second degree
in the Scottish Rite, and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. Mr. Koester
has studied political situations and questions in America and has long been a
stalwart advocate of the republican party. He and his family are members of the
Lutheran church and his life has ever been actuated by high and honorable prin-
ciples. He is prominent as a business man whose constantly expanding powers
have taken him from humble surroundings into the field of large enterprise and
continually broadening opportunities. He has ever brought to bear a clear under-
standing that readily solves complex problems and unites into a harmonious whole
unrelated and even diverse interests.

D. F. MYTHALER.

D. F. Mythaler. carrying on both farming and mercantile pursuits, resides
on section 32, Cedar township, and for the past fifteen years has conducted a
hardware and implement establishment at Washburn in association with his
brothers, William E. and George F. His birth occurred in Cedar township,
this county, in April, 1873, his parents being Frederick and Matilda (Foulk)
Mythaler, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania.
Frederick Mythaler emigrated to the United States when eighteen years of age.
living first in Pennsylvania and subsequently in Ohio and Illinois. He learned
the cabinetmaker's trade after coming to this country but eventually abandoned
that occupation and journeyed overland from Illinois to Black Hawk county,
Iowa, in 1864, being a pioneer settler in this county. At that time he purchased
and improved one hundred and sixty acres on section 32, Cedar township, and
later bought more land until his holdings aggregated two hundred and ninety-
four acres, ninety-four acres thereof being on section 6. In 1883 he leased the
place and took up his abode in W^aterloo, where he made his home until 1892 or

422 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

until his children had received the advantages of the school training there of-
fered. He then returned to his farm and thereon spent the remainder of his
life, passing away on the 29th of May, 191 1, when the community mourned the
loss of one of its esteemed and representative citizens. His widow still resides
on the old home place in Cedar township, together with her sons, D. F. and
William E. The family numbered five children, as follows: Minnie J., who
is a resident of Tacoma, Washington; Emma L., also a resident of Tacoma,
and the widow of Paul Oliver, who died in 1914; D. F., of this review; William
E. ; and George F.

D. F. Mythaler was reared and educated in this county, being graduated
from the West Side high school at Waterloo with the class of 1890. Subsequent
to his father's death he and his brother William E. took charge of the home
farm, the active work of which is under the supervision of the latter, as D. F.
Mythaler is engaged in the management of a hardware and implement estab-
lishment at Washburn which the brothers opened fifteen years ago. In connec-
tion with his brother William E., our subject owns two hundred and ninety-
three acres of land in Canada. His business interests are carefully conducted
and success has rewarded his efiforts until he is now numbered among the enter-
prising and substantial citizens of his native county.

In October, 1896, Mr. Mythaler was united in marriage to Miss Amanda
Hoover, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Steel) Hoover, who were born ni
Ohio, became pioneer settlers of Black Hawk county, Iowa, and now reside on
a farm in Idaho. To Mr. and Mrs. Mythaler were born seven children, namely :
Mabel E., Pearl G., Belva J., Fern M., Alice M., Beulah J. and Kenneth H.
The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 2d of December, 191 2,
passing away after a month's illness.

Mr. Mythaler gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has
been a member of the school board for four terms, serving as its president dur-
ing three terms of that period. The cause of education has ever found in him
a stalwart champion and helpful worker. His religious faith is that of the
Christian church. He has resided in this county continuously from his birth
to the present time, and that his life has ever been upright and honorable is
indicated in the fact that the associates of his boyhood and youth are still num-
bered among his warm friends and admirers.

D. B. KIMBALL.

D. B. Kimball is the manager of the Kelley Manufacturing Company of Water-
loo, to which city he came three years ago to enter into his present business con-
nections. He was born in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1873, and there spent his youth-
ful days, acquiring his education in the public schools of that city and as a student
m Knox College. When his text-books were put aside he made his initial step
in the business world as a salesman in the employ of the W. I. McKee Lumber
Company, with offices at Ouincy, Illinois, and represented that company upon the
road for eight years. In that connection he traveled to the coast, where he
purchased lumber which he would ship back to Illinois and there place it on the

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 423

market. In 191 1 he came to Waterloo, having been offered the position of man-
ager of the Kelley Manufacturing Company, engaged in the manufacture of
kerosene engines, drays, and graders. In this connection he has supervision of
the plant and he is thoroughly familiar with the trade. His efforts are an element
in the success of the business, for he himself carefully directs the labors of those
who serve under him so that there is no useless expenditure of time, money or
material.

In 1903 Mr. Kimball was united in marriage to Miss Laura Dolbear, of Rock-
ford, Illinois, and they have one daughter, Florence. The parents are consistent
and faithful members of the First Congregational church, and Mr. Kimball holds
membership in the Commercial Club and Board of Trade. He is also connected
with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Royal Arcanum and in all
of these organizations has many friends, his good qualities winning for him the
high and enduring regard of those with whom he has come in contact.

ELI MESSER.

Eli Messer is well known as a successful breeder and raiser of Holstein and
Ayrshire cattle and Hampshire hogs. He bears an equally enviable reputation as a
breeder of fancy chickens and his business has reached extensive proportions.
His place is located on section 19, West Waterloo township, and the business is
under the exclusive supervision of Mr. Messer, a wide-awake, alert and energetic
business man, whose carefully directed labors have resulted in the attainment of
gratifying success.

Mr. Messer was born in Tama county, Iowa, in 1880, and is a son of John and
Catherine Messer. The mother passed away in Tama county, August 19, 1910,
and the father, who for many years followed agricultural pursuits, is now living
retired at Dysart, Iowa. In the family were eight children : Edward, whose home
is at Van Nuys, California; Eli, of this review; Elizabeth, who is the wife of
Andrew Meahlhouse; Clara, who gave her hand in marriage to Henry Zoble, of
Dysart, Iowa ; Earl, who lives near Dysart ; Esther, who is attending school and
is still at home ; and Elsie and Gladys, who are also yet school students.

Eli Messer spent his youthful days upon his father's farm with the usual
experiences and training that fall to the lot of the farm lad who divides his time
between the duties of the schoolroom and the work of the fields. As he advanced
in age and strength he formulated his plans for a life work and as the years have
gone on he has developed his powers. His early education was acquired in the
public schools of Tama county and in addition to a high-school course at Dysart
he took the short course at Ames two years. He remained at home until twenty-
four years of age and then started out in business on his own account. For about
ten years he was engaged in farming in Tama county and in 19 13 he purchased
a half interest in the farm upon which he now resides, his partner in the enter-
prise being William Galloway. He has a valuable property, pleasantly and con-
veniently situated on section 19, West Waterloo township. His land comprises
one hundred and eighty acres and from his fields he annually gathers good har-
vests. He is more widely known, however, as a breeder of fine cattle, hogs and

424 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

chickens. He makes a specialty of Holstein and Ayrshire cattle and of Hampshire
hogs. He handles a number of the finest breeds of chickens, including the Barred
Rock, the Rosecomb, the Rhode Island Red, S. C. White Leghorns, the Buff
Orpington and the Rouen Ducks. He handles pure blooded stock and breeds and
raises cattle, hogs and chickens for sale. His labors are an important element in
the work of raising the standard of stock produced in this section of the state.

Mr. Messer's farm of one hundred and eighty acres is highly improved and is
among the most attractive and valuable in the state. None of the accessories and
conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century are lacking thereon and
the place presents a splendid appearance, constituting one of the attractive features
in the landscape. In addition to his stock breeding and raising interests he is
a stockholder in the Savings Bank of Dysart and also owns stock in the Farmers
Lumber Company and the Tama Benton Grain & Elevator Company of Dysart.
These, however, are but side issues to the main feature of his business. He not
only believes in improving the grade of stock raised but is a believer equally as
well in breeding up his seed corn and other grains and he cuts his alfalfa four
times a year.

In 1904 Mr. Messer was united in marriage to Miss Lydia A. Trepp, a native
of Grundy county, Iowa, and a daughter of Christian and Anna Trepp. The
father died in Grundy county and the mother is still living in Ackley, Iowa. In
their family were ten children : Henry, who makes his home in White, South
Dakota ; Mrs. Lydia A. Messer ; Mrs. Sarah Miller, living at Fostoria, Iowa ;
Thomas, whose home is in Ackley, Iowa ; Lowell, deceased ; Mrs. Ann Schultz,
also living at Ackley; Wesley, whose home is in Pasadena, California; Reba, the
wife of Fred Dentel, of Faulkner, Iowa ; and Mabel and \'era, both teaching. Mr.
and Mrs. Messer have become the parents of two sons and two daughters, namely :
Thelma L, who was born in 1905; Netha G., whose birth occurred in 1906; and
Quentin E. and \'ern P., who were born in the years 1907 and 1910 respectively.

The family are adherents of the Evangelical faith, and in his political views
Mr. Messer is a stalwart republican. He keeps well informed on the questions and
issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate
his energies upon his business affairs, which are of growing volume and impor-
tance. He is today one of the leading stock-raisers of the county and his work
has been of the utmost value to the community in advancing the standard of stock
raised. He early recognized the eternal principle that industry wins and industry
became the beacon light of his life, leading him from one advanced step to another
until he today occupies a position of prominence and distinction in connection with
his chosen labors.

J. G. WESTPHAL.

J. G. Westphal is a nurseryman and farmer living on section 20, Mount Ver-
non township, where he has property known as the Evergreen nursery and fruit
farm. A native of Germany, he was born in the city of Hamburg in October,
1848. and was brought to America by his parents in 1856, when a little lad of
about eight.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 425

Mr. and Mrs. Westphal have become the parents of a son and two daughters :
Max M., who was born in 1888 and is now interested with his father in the
nursery business, with which he is thoroughly acquainted ; Elsie, at home ; and
Dorothy, who is attending school. Mr. Westphal frequently votes with the dem-
ocratic party, yet is liberal in his views and does not consider himself bound by
party ties. He and his family hold to the faith of the Lutheran church and they
are highly esteemed people. Mr. Westphal has never sought to tigure promi-
nently in any connection outside of business. He has displayed the spirit of
initiative in establishing a business of this character in Black Hawk county.
Enterprise, determination and persistent eiTort, however, have been his guide and
upon these qualities he has builded his success.

MICHAEL THOMAS GLEASON.

Although he lived a quiet and somewhat uneventful life Michael Thomas
Gleason displayed many sterling traits of character that won him warm esteem
and made his death deeply regretted by all who knew him. He was long a resi-
dent farmer of Lincoln township. His birth occurred in Missouri, January 18,
1853. His parents were Martin and Sarah Gleason, both natives of Ireland, the
latter born in Tipperary. They became farming people of Black Hawk county
and died in Lincoln township. They had a family of three children, Ruth,
Michael Thomas and John.

Michael Thomas Gleason was a poor boy with comparatively limited advan-
tages. His education was acquired in the schools of Missouri and of Clinton,
Iowa, and he personally paid the expenses of his education. His parents were
farming people and he worked at home and for neighboring farmers until twenty-
five years of age, when he went to Davenport, where he was employed for a time
in a store He carefully saved his earnings until he got a start, after which he
returned to Clinton and later came to Black Hawk county. In Lincoln township,
on the 17th of June, 1887, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherme Qumn,
who was born in Mankato, Minnesota, May 6, 1866, and was there reared to
womanhood. Her father, James Quinn, was born in County Longford, Ireland
and was a farmer by occupation. In that country he wedded Mary Ann Ryan and
later came to the United States, settling in Blue Earth county, Mmnesota, but
afterward removed to Black Hawk county, where their remammg days were
passed in Lincoln township. The Indians were far more numerous than the white
.ettlers in Minnesota at the time Mr. Quinn took up his abode there. In his
family were six children, James. Thomas. Mary, John, Lizzie and Catherine
The last named became Mrs. Gleason. She was about nineteen or twenty years of
age when her parents came to Black Hawk county, settling in Lincoln township.

At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gleason took up their abode upon
a farm and with characteristic energy he began to further develop and improve the
place which comprised one hundred and eighty acres. There were good buildings
upon' it when he took possession. He built a house, barn and sheds for the
machinery, enclosed the place and divided it into fields of convenient size by well
kept fences, set out orchards and made other improvements which greatly added

426 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

to the value of the farm. His crops, too, were carefully cultivated and brought
to him a good financial return annually.

To Mr. and Mrs. Gleason were born seven children : Ambrose, who died aged
eleven years ; and Verna, Mary, Catherine, Margaret, Leo, Clara Coretta, all now
at home. In politics Mr. Gleason was a democrat but did not seek nor desire pub-
lic office. He was a member of the Catholic church and he possessed manv
estimable traits of character. He was kind, loved his home and was a devoted
husband and father. He was also an esteemed citizen and his death was the
occasion of deep and wide-spread regret to his many friends as well as to his
family.

HUDSON SAMNGS BANK.

The Hudson Savings Bank was founded as a private bank by John H Leavitt
and James H. Washburn with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars Its found
ers are both deceased. They erected the hnilrlino- 1.1 tound-

Tannarv xrvr. 1 , ^^^^^^ ^^^ buildmg which was vacated only in

January, 1914, when a removal was made to the present fine bank buildin^ recentiv

March, 893 the Hudson Savings Bank was incorporated with a capital of fifteen
thousand dollars and a fifty year charter, taking over the business of the ^
private bank. In January, 190T. the First National Bank was organized v4h .
capital of twenty-five thousand dollars, with the same list of shrreho de k
operated in connection with the Hudson Savings Bank until July i, 191. a wl
time the stock of the Hudson Savings Bank was increased 'to fi^ty 'tho sand
dollars and the business of the two banks consolidated and continued as one ba k

R nf ^' n : "^ '"'^^"'^ ■ -^^"^"^ ^- Washburn. L. R. Peifer and C W

F R HolH?V ''Tu '°'^';' '''''''-' '''-'' '■^"^-" °" ^^- P--"t board.:
t^ R. Holhs, James Faulkner and T- M. Slusher

The stock of the bank is held alniost entirely by local business men and farmers
^rowth'n^'fT'r '''' community has gone hand in hand with the activity and
growth of this strong institution. The management of the Hudson Savings Bank
has always been in the care of experienced bankers and practical business men
The strength and stability of the bank has never been questioned. The .rowtrof
this institution has been constant and permanent and at this time their statement
shows a paid up capital of fifty thousand dollars and total assets of over three

g owth. The business had so increased that the former quarters became inade-
quate and p ans were made and work begun on a new building, resultin<. in the
erection of the present fine business block now occupied by the bank. The present
officers are: Frank R. Hollis. president; James Loonan, vice president -C

theoffi ' "^Z' -\^- ^^^C^-^^y' --tant cashier; while in connection with
the officers, Wilham J. Gutknecht, J. M. Slusher. lames Faulkner and Ira Roda-
mar are on the board of directors.

The bank building is located on Main street and is of solid brick construction
with stone trimmings. The building is twenty-nine by seventy feet and presents

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 427

both an attractive exterior and interior, in which architectural beauty is combined
with permanency and usefuhiess. The second story is used as a public hall
and is thoroughly equipped for entertainments. The first floor is used entirely
for banking purposes and in planning the building all other items have been sub-
ject and incidental to the making of the banking office and other rooms on the
first floor so as to promote the convenience and comfort of the officers and patrons
of the bank. The banking room has a heavy quartered oak beam ceiling with
white Italian marble wainscot and verde antique marble trimming. There is a
tile floor and all of the woodwork is quarter-sawed oak. There are a well
appointed director's room, committee rooms and also a private room just back of
the cashier's desk for the use of officers in transacting business of a confidential
nature with customers. The vault is a two-story afifair built out of solid cement
and reinforced with steel bars running both ways. In the basement the vault is
used for storage purposes only. On the first floor there is a department filled with
safety deposit boxes which are divided from the bank's cash vault by a steel
partition. There are two hundred safety deposit boxes and nothing has been
spared in furthering the interests of the bank and its patrons. The building is
one of the finest in the state and would be a credit to a city of much greater size
than Hudson.

F. B. BALLOU.

F. B. Ballou is actively engaged in business as a member of the firm of Ballon
& Smart, buying, selling and trafficking in engines, threshing machines and attach-
ments, whose establishment is located at the corner of Duryea and Rock Island
avenues in Waterloo. His birth occurred in Wyoming county. New York, in 1850,
and he supplemented his preliminary education by an academic course of study in
his native state. In 1867, when a youth of seventeen years, he came to Waterloo,
Iowa, and for four years was employed in the City Mills, now a part of the Union
Mill Company. Subsequently he went to Charles City, Floyd county, Iowa, and
there rented and operated a mill for two years. On the expiration of that period
he returned to W^aterloo and for three years remained in the service of the Leavitt
& Johnson Bank, while subsequently he went to La Porte City, this county, being
there employed as a grain buyer for two years. After returning to Waterloo he
spent a short time with an implement firm and then went to Independence,
Buchanan county, this state, where he worked for one year in the office of the
McCormick Machine Company and was afterward employed as general agent for
a period of sixteen years.

At the end of that time, in 1898, Mr. Ballou again returned to Waterloo, here
acting as secretary of the Cascaden Manufacturing Company until that concern
discontinued business in igio. Since that time he has associated himself with
F. R. Smart and has built up an extensive enterprise in the buying and selling of
engines, threshing machines and attachments. He is likewise the secretary and
a stockholder in the Home Improvement Company of Waterloo, a director of the
People's Building & Loan Association of Waterloo and owns a number of prop-
erties in the city. His business career has been characterized by intense and well

428 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

directed activity, resulting in success, and he has long been numbered among the
prosperous and representative citizens of the community.

In 1883 Mr. Ballou was united in marriage to Miss Ellen F. Hubbard, who
was born in Ohio, came to Iowa at the time of her mariage and passed away in
1904, leaving two children. Frederick H., who was born in 1885 and is a graduate
of Stevens Institute of Technology of Hoboken, New Jersey, is now a mechanical
engineer in the service of the Great Western Sugar Company of Denver, Colorado.
Lois K., whose birth occurred in 1888, is a graduate of the department of domestic
science in the Iowa State Teachers' College of Cedar Falls. Mr. Ballou gives his
political allegiance to the republican party and fraternally is identified with the
Masons, belonging to the Mystic Shrine. His religious faith is that of the Epis-
copal church. In his business affairs he is always found reliable and he stands
for the progressive element in citizenship and for trustworthiness in every relation.

ANDREW P. JOHNSON.

Andrew P. Johnson is a retired market gardener and old settler of Black
Hawk county, well known in Waterloo and throughout this part of the state. He
is a native of Denmark, where his father conducted farming on a small scale and
there Andrew P. Johnson attended school until fourteen years of age. When
old enough he went out to work, receiving fifteen dollars and a suit of clothes for
his first year's labor. He aided in plowing, wielded the flail and mowed with the
scythe and did other farm work according to the primitive manner of the times,
when farm machinery was very crude compared to that in use at present.

When he was twenty-two years of age or in 1870 a neighbor, who was leaving
for the United States, told Mr. Johnson that if he would go he would pay his
passage. Mr. Johnson prepared for the trip. When he told his mother that he
was intending to leave she cried and begged him not to go, but he felt that this
was his opportunity. They made the voyage on a steamship called the Ocean
Queen. When half way over they were struck by an awful gale and barely
reached New York, having spent sixteen days in making the crossing. They
landed in New York and thence made their way to Cedar Falls, Iowa, and began
farming at Hudson at fifteen dollars per month. Mr. Johnson worked in that way
for four years, at the end of which time he was taken ill and returned to Denmark
in order to regain his health. The sea voyage proved the needed cure and he
remamed for six months ere again coming to the new world. It was during that
period, on the 8th of March, 1876, that he was united in marriage to Miss Wil-
helmina Anderson, who was born on Christmas day, 1846, in the same town in
which his birth occurred. She had attended the country schools and was con-
firmed at the age of fourteen years in the same church as her husband.

Mr. Johnson brought his wife back on the vessel Cimbria from Hamburg to
New York and the next year the ship went down with all on board. Mr Johnson
established his home at Cedar Falls and both he and his wife were employed upon
a farm. The following year they began housekeeping in Waterloo but had to
go m debt m order to buy their household furnishings. They were resolute, deter-
mmed and courageous, however, and gradually advanced toward success. For

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 429

a year Mr. Johnson operated the Kingsley farm and afterward was employed in.
connection with the J. A. Fowler greenhouse for eight years. Later he purchased
of Mr. Fowler five acres east of the town and did gardening for thirty years.
He then disposed of the property after having improved and beautified the land.
He won substantial success in the capable management of his business afifairs
through his untiring industry and perseverance. For the past three years he has
lived retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.

During their later years Mrs. Johnson's parents, Anders and Catherine (Lar-
son) Petersen, made their home with her and here both passed away. They had a
family of six children and also reared an adopted child. Mr. Petersen was a
farmer by occupation. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born two children :
Gustave C, of Waterloo, who married Marie Bruce and has three children, Emil,
Holger and Arthur; Marie, the wife of J. C. Miller, of Waterloo, by whom she
has two children, Marguerita Katrina and Edna.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are devout members of the Lutheran church and
assisted in building the church of that denomination in Cedar Falls, of which
A. S. Nelson was the pastor and in fact the first Danish minister of this denomina-
tion in this section of the state. Mr. Johnson has held office in the church and
has ever been a generous contributor to its support. He also helped to purchase
the church building on the corner of Fifth and South streets, Waterloo. When
he and his wife were first married they assisted many young Danish people to get
a start, entertained them at their home, kept them in the church and helped them
to take out citizens' papers. Their influence and aid have ever been on the side
of progress, improvement, justice, truth and right. They now have an attractive
home in Waterloo which Mr. Johnson owns and he also has another residence
property and vacant lots in the town. His has been a well spent life that has
brought to him not only success but the respect and goodwill of his fellow towns-
men. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new
world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and, working his
way steadily upward, is now numbered among the good citizens of Black Hawk
county.

LEONARD WEILAND.

Leonard Weiland, conducting a prosperous and growing butchering business at
Gilbertville. was born in Luxemburg in 1859. a son of John and Katrina (Faber)
Weiland. The father was also a native of Luxemburg, born in the year 1834,
and his death occurred in 1902. His widow survives at the advanced age of
eighty- four years. John Weiland was always a farmer and owned lands in his
native district. He was progressive in his work and won a substantial measure of
success as the years passed. His religious faith was that of the Catholic church.
Of his children four yet survive and all are residents of America, two of the
number being in Black Hawk county.

Leonard Weiland spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the fatherland
and when a young man came to the new world. It was in 1881 that he crossed
the Atlantic and made his way to Black Hawk county, where he secured employ-

430 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

ment as a farm hand. He carefully saved his earnings and in 1886 purchased
property. He has witnessed the growth and development of this section and land
which was worth twenty dollars per acre in 1886 is today worth from one hundred
and fifty to two hundred dollars per acre. The township was but sparsely settled
at the time of his arrival and many changes have since occurred. Mr. Weiland
still owns a- farm in Poyner township and is the owner of one hundred and sixtv
acres of land in South Dakota. He is likewise a stockholder in the W^aterloo,
Cedar Falls & Northern Railway Company and in 1901 he embarked in the
butchering business in Gilbertville, to which he now devotes practically all of his
attention. In this connection he has built up a good trade and his success has come
to him as the merited reward of close application, unfaltering industry and
determination.

Mr. Weiland has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Lena Beck, a
native of Luxemburg and a daughter of John Gregor and Katherine Beck, the
former a farmer of Luxemburg. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Weiland was
married in 1891 to Miss Anna Sickenberger, who was born in Cincinnati. Ohio,
a daughter of George and Katherine Sickenberger, who were also natives of
Luxemburg. When a young man the father came to the United States and has
since lived near Cincinnati, where for many years he worked at the stonemason's
trade. By both marriages Mr. Weiland became the father of sixteen children, as
follows : Michael, who died in infancy ; John F., an agriculturist of South Dakota ;
Barbara, who is the widow of Frank Bernard and has one child ; Mary, who gave
her hand in marriage to Frank Steubenrauch, a farmer of Black Hawk county,
by whom she has one child; Nicholas, who died in infancy; Katherine; Peter;
John, who passed away in infancy; Edward; Lawrence; Lauretta; ^Madeline;
Anna ; Joseph ; Bernadine ; and Rosa.

Mr. Weiland is a member of the Roman Catholic church, and he gives his
political allegiance to the democratic party. He does not seek nor desire office
but concentrates his efforts upon his business affairs, and the capable management
of his interests brings to him a measure of success that is most gratifying.

E. R. SHOEMAKER.

E. R. Shoemaker is treasurer of the Fred L. Kimball Companv and also of the
Shoemaker-Van Pelt-Mayne Company. A native of Pennsylvania, he was
brought to the west by his parents in his childhood days, the family home being
established in New Hartford, Iowa. He was educated in the public schools and
also at the Upper Iowa University at Fayette. In early life he began learning
the printer's trade and for three years was with E. E. Taylor, of the Tran Star-
Clipper. On severing that connection he came to Waterloo and became associated
in business with Fred L. Kimball. Since the death of Mr. Kimball Mr. Shoe-
maker has had charge of the plant and with the official title of treasurer has
largely superintended the business and directed its activities. He was president
of the Iowa State Dairy Association for one year and was chairman of its legis-
lative committee at the time the association succeeded in getting the legislature to
make an appropriation for furthering the dairy interests of the state.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 431

In 1901 Mr. Shoemaker was united in marriage to Miss Abbie May Laird, of
Jesup, Iowa, and to them has been born a son, Roy Laird. The parents are mem-
bers of the First Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Shoemaker is serving on its
official board. He also has membership with the Knights of Pythias and he
cooperates heartily in plans to upbuild the city and extend its trade relations, to
which end he is an active worker in the Commercial Club and Board of Trade, in
the Chamber of Commerce and in the Town Criers Club. He likewise belongs to
the Waterloo Club and in those different organizations is popular. He is now
widely known and has gained for himself a creditable position among the leading
business men of the city.

REV. JOHN N. NEMMERS.

Rev. John N. Nemmers, the zealous and popular pastor of the Gilbertville
Roman Catholic church, was born in Jackson county, Iowa, in 1847, ^ son of
Nicholas and Mary (Freiman) Nemmers, both of whom were born in the grand
duchy of Luxemburg. The father was a carpenter by trade and in his young
manhood emigrated to the United States. In 1846 he came overland by ox team
from Chicago to Jackson county, this state, which was then raw prairie which
had never been touched by the plow. With the coming of a few settlers rude
log cabins were built which served as homes, roads were laid out, schools and
churches were erected, and in all of this work Nicholas Nemmers did his part.
He purchased government land at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre and
became eventually the owner of two hundred acres. He also practiced his trade
and was one of the useful and prosperous citizens of his county, as well as one
of the most influential men of his community, being appealed to for instruction
and advice on many questions. He became quite prominent in the early history
of Jackson county and remained there until 1880, when he removed to Le Mars.
In 1890 he came to Gilbertville and passed the remaining years of his life with
his son, John N. There were twelve children in the family, but our subject, the
fourth in order of birth, was the first born in the United States.

Rev. Nemmers early learned the carpenter's trade from his father and also
attended the district schools, thus laying the foundation for his wide general
knowledge. The first schoolhouse was but a log cabin and the curriculum and
methods of teaching were in harmony with the outward conditions. He sub-
sequently attended parochial school, after which he was a student in St. Francis
College at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for eight years. In 1875 he was ordained
priest and on the 22d of December of that year came to Gilbertville, where he
has remained ever since. For almost four decades he has watched over those
whose spiritual well-being is committed to his care and his congregation has
grown in numbers and in faith under his guidance. He has also proved a busi-
ness man of ability, has erected four church buildings and has managed wisely
the financial affairs of the church. His sincerity and earnestness commend him
to the respect of the community as a whole as well as to his parishioners. When
he first came to Gilbertville he numbered among his flock all of the Catholics
between and including Raymond and Barclay, and at the latter place he erected

432 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

a church costing three thousand dollars. The Raymond and Barclay congre-
gations were under his care for nineteen years. While his first care has ever
been the upbuilding of the church of which he is pastor he has also taken an
active part in various movements that have concerned the welfare of the whole
town. He is a man of progressive ideas and his plans and efforts have been
broadly constructive, seeking advancement along lines that will result in the
permanent betterment of conditions. He finds a great deal of pleasure as well
as profit in reading and his library is one of the best in Gilbertville. He has
local financial interests, owning bank and interurban railway stock.

C. D. CASS.

C. D. Cass, general manager of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Rail-
road, with offices at Waterloo, was born in Sumner, Iowa, in 1880, a son of
S. F. Cass, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. He was edu-
cated in the State Normal School and was graduated from the law department
of Drake University with the class of 1901. He had pi-eviously been employed
by the railroad company, having begun work in that connection during the
periods of school vacation. Following his graduation he resumed active con-
nection with the business, and has been general manager of the road since 1905,
having in the meantime gradually worked his way u]nvard, his ability increas-
ing through the exercise of eiTort.

In 1901 Mr. Cass was united in marriage to Aliss Leila Bentley. a daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Bentley, of Waterloo, and they have become the parents
of two children, Robert B. and Richard S. Mr. Cass is a member of the Com-
mercial Club and Board of Trade and is interested in all the projects put forth
for the benefit and upbuilding of the city, the extension of its trade relations
and development of its advantages. He is a typical young business man of the
age, alert, enterprising and progressive, and he occupies a most creditable posi-
tion in the business circles of this section of the state and in the regard of his
associates.

FRANK H. FINCH.

Frank H. Finch is one of the best known and most efficient butter makers
in Black Hawk county and this section of the state. He makes his home in
Fairbank, where he is now engaged in the conduct of a flour and feed mill.
He is a man of determination and energy and carries forward to successful
completion whatever he undertakes. He was born in Lester township, this
county, June 30, 1866, and is a representative of one of the prominent old pioneer
families of whom extended mention is made in connection with the sketch of

Ira Finch on another page in this work.

Frank H. Finch was reared to manhood on the old homestead, meeting with

the usual experiences of the farm lad. He attended the common schools and

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 433

for a number of years devoted his energies to general agricultural pursuits.
Later he conducted creameries in this vicinity and became an expert butter maker,
the output of the creameries always winning for him a well merited reputation
by reason of the excellence of the product. After leaving the creamery business
he engaged in painting and followed that trade until the spring of 191 4, when
he became connected with a flour and feed mill at Fairbank which is one of the
oldest in this part of the state.

In Lester township, on the 15th of January, 1895, Mr. Finch was united in
marriage to Miss Mary E. Buehner, who was born in Lester township, a daughter
of John and Caroline Isabelle (Holdiman) Buehner, of Lester township. The
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Finch has been blessed with six children: Esther E.,
born March 4, 1896, who was graduated from the Waverly high school with the
class of 1914 and is now at home and teaching school; John B., born March 27,
1899; Edith C, born July 14, 1901 ; Leola H., September 16, 1903; Edna E.,
April 13, 1906; and Ivan A., April 29, 191 1. The oldest and the youngest were
born in Black Hawk county and the others in Bremer county and all have been
reared in this part of the state.

Mr. Finch exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures
of the republican party but has never been a politician in the sense of of^ce seek-
ing. He is a member of Black Hawk County Camp, No. 2935, M. W. A., of
Dunkerton. His business interests have brought him a wide acquaintance and
his social qualities have gained him popularity among all with whom he has been
brought in contact.

JOHN P. NEMMERS.

John P. Nemmers, engaged in merchandising at Gilbertville and well known as
a representative citizen through other business connections, was born in Black
Hawk county in 1883, a son of John P. Nemmers. He attended the parochial
school at Gilbertville and afterward spent four years as a pupil in St. Joseph's
College at Dubuque, Iowa. When twenty-one years of age he went upon the
road as a traveling salesman, representing the firm of Scott & Dillon of Sioux
City, Iowa. He was with them, however, for only a short period before going to
St. Paul with the Luse Land Company. Subsequently he returned to Gilbertville
and for two years was associated with his stepfather, Peter Wester, in a general
mercantile store. On the expiration of that period he joined F. J. Franta in pur-
chasing the store, which was conducted under that partnership relation until 191 3,
when Martin N. Bernardy became a partner. They carry a large and well selected
line of general merchandise and enjoy a gratifying and growing patronage.

. In addition to his mercantile interests Mr. Nemmers is connected with other
business afifairs. He is now a stockholder in the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & North-
ern Railway & Light Company, holds bank stock and is the owner of considerable
real estate in Gilbertville, having made judicious investment in property, from
which he derives a gratifying annual income.

As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Nemmers chose
Miss Matilda Schares, a native of Black Hawk county and a daughter of Adam

434 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

and Mary (Kascht) Schares, both of whom were born in Germany. The father
is one of the well known agriculturists of Poyner township, this county. Mr. and
Mrs. Nemmers have three children, namely: Celestine, who was born April 6,
1909; Vincent, whose birth occurred on the 26th of September, 1912; and Con-
soline, whose natal day was December 4, 191 3.

Mr. Nemmers holds membership with the Knights of Columbus and the Cath-
olic Order of Foresters and his religious faith is that of the Catholic church. His
political allegiance is given the democratic party and he is now serving as post-
master of Gilbertville. He has likewise been justice of the peace. He is a very
active man in the affairs of the town and cooperates heartily in all plans and
projects for the upbuilding and improvement of the village. In his business
affairs he has so directed his interests that success has attended his efforts and
Gilbertville has benefited largely by his operations in commercial and financial
lines.

E. WILLARD SPURR.

It is a trite saying that there is always room at the top and if the general public
only comprehended this it might be a stimulus for more thorough, conscientious
and able effort. A recognition of this truth, together with a love for his art, has
brought E. Willard Spurr not only to a position of leadership among the photog-
raphers of Waterloo and of Black Hawk county, but of the state of Iowa, and
made him the peer of the ablest who occupy the front ranks in photographic art
circles in the country. For nine years he has maintained a studio in Waterloo and
the city has reason to be proud to number him among her residents, as his life
has been actuated by high ideals leading to notable achievement. As expressed by
Mr. Spurr: "The artist's pursuit is unselfish. His reward is the delight in the
beauty he creates. Nature and feeling are the artist's standard— truth and refined
pleasure his chief end." This finds exemplification in his efforts, and his studio
in Waterloo is one of the show places of the city.

He was born in the state of New York, near Westfield, and in his childhood
days accompanied his parents on their removal to the west, at which time the
family home was established in Vinton, Iowa, where they spent the remainder of
their lives. He acquired his education in the schools of this state. He has been
interested in art from his childhood and was an art student under Eckert, a noted
artist of those days, from whom he received his first lessons when but ten years
of age. He not only learned the actual work of the artist, but also was instructed
by Mr. Eckert in the study of human character and in connection therewith he took
up the study of phrenology, in which he became most proficient. He practiced
phrenology with great success for about seven years and throughout the period
also did art work, traveling through the summer and spending the winters in his
studio. Nature splendidly endowed Mr. Spurr with talent of that character and
the development of his native powers has made him an artist of rare ability. For
a time he was located in Des Moines and came from that city to Waterloo, biit
previous to establishing his home here he spent two years upon the road, demon-
strating art photography in different studios.

E. WILLAED SPURR

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 437

Coming to Waterloo in 1905, Mr. Spurr established his studio here in the
Syndicate building, on the fourth floor, and called it the "One Man" studio, doing
all of his own work. His rare ability, however, was soon recognized and the
business grew rapidly, requiring a number of employes. In 1910 he removed to
his present quarters on East Fourth street, where he has one of the finest studios
in the state. His photographic work has taken awards and prizes throughout the
entire country. In 1899 he won the Iowa bronze medal; in 1900, the Iowa bronze
miniature medal, the Iowa gold medal, the special per cent diploma, "Grand
Portrait Class," of the North Western Photographic Association of America,
and the special A class diploma at the convention held at Milwaukee, Wisconsin ;
in 1901, the Iowa silver loving cup, "Sweepstakes," the Iowa gold medal, "Prize
Winners' Class," the Iowa gold medal, "Draped Fine Art Miniatures," a silver
loving cup (open to world's competition) at St. Paul, Minnesota, the Iowa first
prize, "Trophy," Traveling Cobbler, Descriptive Class, the first prize, "Trophy,"
Traveling Cobbler, Descriptive Class, at St. Paul, Minnesota, and the first prize,
"Trophy," Traveling Art Miniatures, of the North Western Photographers'
Association of America; in 1902, Honorable Mention, picture selected for Fine
Art exhibit, New England, and the Minnesota Inter-State Picture Study, "Study
Alone"; in 1903, the Iowa Inter-State Picture Study, "Rose Bud" ; in 1905, Honor-
able Mention, open to the world (Fine Art Photographic Exhibit, New York city),
two pictures selected for Fine Art Palace, World's Fair, St. Louis, and first prize,
Iowa State Fair, Picture selected by American Federation of Art, passed on by
the jury, and which hung in the North American Salon in 1912. He is now pre-
paring a special exhibit for the Panama-Pacific Exhibition.

During the comparatively brief period of his residence in Waterloo his busi-
ness has witnessed a marvelous growth and has resulted in a demand for the
better class of photographic portraiture, which has extended into the very richest
platinum and carbon pictures. The development of his business is the direct result
of untiring energy and artistic genius, coupled with fair dealing and reasonable
prices. Courteous and efficient service is always rendered to the patrons of the
studio and a high standard of excellence is ever maintained. It has been the
greatest ambition of Mr. Spurr to represent true character. He has ever been
desirous of securing a perfect likeness with less idealizing of faces, endeavoring
at all times to preserve the living personality in its ruggedness or tenderness.
Constant study and untiring energy have brought him individual style. He has in
himself that artistic sentiment and temperament which enable him to recognize
the possibilities of the subject and to depict the individuality and personaHty in
such a vivid way that the likeness is astounding in its perfection. He uses the
real Sepia process as put forth by the master artist. Van Dyck, producing a most
beautiful brown that has proven to be most charming and satisfying to all lovers
of art in portraiture. There are but few artists who make the true Van Dyck
Sepia. Another feature of the Spurr studio is oil painting, which equals in ex-
cellence the work which he does in photographic art. He has specialized in fine
oil miniatures and his character studies are wonderful. He has studied every
phase of the art, the possibilities of the sitter, and recognizes the value of all the
elements of pose, light, shadow and character. He has been especially successful
in child portraiture, on which he has won various inter-state prizes. He has
written many able and interesting articles for photographic journals. Mr. Spurr's

Vol. 11—2 4

438 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

studio is the expression of his own artistic sense and temperament. The beautiful
reception room, the art display room, the art hall, the office and sales room and
the artistic posing studio are all perfection in their particular line. Perhaps no
better evidence of Mr. Spurr's standing in art circles can be given than by quoting
from comments from leading newspapers. The St. Paul Dispatch of July 5, 1907.
said: "E. Willard Spurr took first prizes in all classes in which he exhibited.
His photographs are greatly admired by the experienced photographers present,
both for technical arrangement and general style. It is noticeable that Mr. Spurr
does not carry retouching to an extreme. All characteristic lines are preserved and
in his hands seem to add beauty rather than to disfigure the pictured faces. Mr.
Spurr has a collection of miniatures that is said to be unrivaled for excellence
west of New York." The Des Moines Register and Leader contained the fol-
lowing: "At the state convention of the Photographers' Association of Iowa at
Des Moines last week. E. W. Spurr made exhibits in several of the departments,
most notably in the prize winners or sweepstakes class, and in the miniature class.
The other exhibits were special pieces for display. But the judges didn't do a thing
to him. They awarded him first prize in the prize winners or sweepstakes class,
and then gave him ratings in all the other classes in which he exhibited and the
summary showed that he ranked away ahead of all of them, so besides the gold
medals for the other classes he was compelled to carry away also the beautiful
silver loving cup which represents that his work stands above that of any other
photographer in Iowa. It is a distinction that may well be coveted by anyone,
and we congratulate Mr. Spurr on his success."

Mr. Spurr was married in June, 1912, to Miss Anna Sander, of Waverly,
Iowa. By his first marriage he had two children : Melbourne Erwin, who is also
an artist and is proprietor of the Black Hawk Studio in Waterloo ; and Gladys
Celeste.

Mr. Spurr is a member of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade and is
one of the charter members of the Town Criers Club. Fraternally he is a Mason
and has attained the Knights Templar degree of the York Rite and has also
crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He holds
membership with the Moose and with the Photographers' Association of America.
High indeed are the honors which he has won in his art. While nature endowed
him with ability it has only been through industry that this has been developed
and made a tangible asset. The consensus of public opinion places him among
the foremost representatives of his profession in the United States and Waterloo
is proud to number him among her citizens.

HENRY HANSEN.

Henry Hansen is the vice president of the Lauritzen Construction Company
and belongs to that class of men who have won the proud American title of self-
made. Starting out in life independently at an early age, he has gradually worked
his way upward and an analyzation of his record shows that industry and close
application have been the salient features of his advancement. He was born in
Denmark. July 25, 1883, a son of Lorentz and Elizabeth Hansen. The mother

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 439

died in her native land on the 20th of April, 1901, and the father is still living
there. He is a farmer and mail carrier.

Henry Hansen was reared upon the home farm and acquired his education in
the district schools of his native country. Soon after reaching his sixteenth year
he became an apprentice to the carpenter's trade and was connected therewith
until the spring of 1906, when, thinking to enjoy better business opportunities on
this side the Atlantic, he crossed the water to the United States. He settled first
in Emmet county, Iowa, where he secured employment as a farm hand, spending
eleven months in that way. He then went to work at his trade in Dyke, Iowa, and
two months later came to Waterloo, where he arrived in September, 1907. Not
long afterward he entered the employ of Lauritzen Brothers and when L. J.
Lauritzen became sole proprietor of the business Mr. Hansen continued in his
service. In May, 19 14, the Lauritzen Construction Company was incorporated
and he became a member of the firm and was elected vice president. This is one
of the leading construction companies of the county. They have a liberal patron-
age and do an extensive business. They have erected some of the finest buildings
of Waterloo and a number of these display the handiwork of Mr. Hansen, who
since starting upon his apprenticeship has made continuous advancement in the
line of his trade. Step by step he has progressed until in his present connection
he stands as one of the leading builders of Waterloo.

On the 24th of May, 1913, Mr. Hansen was united in marriage to Miss Eliza-
beth Rasmussen, a native of Denmark, and to them has been born a daughter,
Gertie Elizabeth. Mr. Hansen is a member of the Danish Brotherhood and he
and his wife belong to the Danish Lutheran church. He has never had occasion
to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found good
business opportunities, and his skill and efficiency in the line of his trade, com-
bined with his laudable ambition to advance, have brought him to a creditable
position in construction circles in Waterloo.

WILLARD EDDY, M. D.

Dr. Willard Eddy was a pioneer physician of Waterloo, recognized for many
years as one of the most prominent and capable representatives of his profes-
sion, which brought to him a gratifying measure of success as well as high honor.
Such were his professional qualifications and personal attributes that he won
the warm regard of all with whom he came in contact and his death, which
occurred on the 21st of March, 1912, was the occasion of deep and widespread

regret.

Dr. Eddy was born in Erie county, New York, on the 30th of July, 1834, his
parents being Erastus and Dorliska (Middeditch) Eddy. The father was
descended from ancestors who came to America from England during the colonial
epoch in the history of the new world. He was a son of Esek Eddy and the
latter was a son of Samuel Eddy. Both the grandfather and great-grandfather
of Dr. Eddy were soldiers of the Revolutionary war, giving valiant aid to the
colonists in the struggle for independence. Erastus Eddy became a farmer of
Erie county, New York, his home being near Buffalo, where he resided up to

^'^0 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

the time of his death, which occurred when he had reached the advanced age of
eighty-seven years. His widow continued her residence upon the old home-
stead farm to the time of her death, which occurred in 1897.

Dr. Eddy was reared to farm hfe and began his education in the common
schools. He afterward attended the academy at Springville, New York, and later
became a student in the Genesee Seminary near Rochester, New York' in which
he continued for four years. In i860 he matriculated in the University of
Michigan at Ann Arbor and took up the study of medicine, being graduated
from the medical department of that institution with the class of March, 1863.
He was one of the five who stood highest in the class, making a most excellent
record. Previous to entering Genesee Seminary he had preempted government
land in Minnesota and by selling that land was enabled to pay his own way
through the seminary and through the university. Following his graduation
he came to Iowa, settling first at Monticello, Jones county, where he entered
upon active practice, remaining there until 1867, when he removed to Waterloo,
where he was in active practice for a long period of years. He retired from'
the profession, however, a number of years prior to his death in order that he
might give undivided attention to his personal financial interests. He was a
most successful physician. He had been liberally trained for his chosen calling
and he always kept in touch with modern scientific methods through wide read-
ing, study and observation. He also learned many valuable lessons in the school
of experience and his skill and ability were recognized by the profession as well
as by the laity. His duties were discharged with a sense of conscientious obli-
gation and at all times he was careful to conform his practice to the highest
standards of professional ethics. From the beginning Dr. Eddy saved his sur-
plus earnings and made investment in real-estate and in real-estate loans. He
was very careful and conservative and was eminently successful in his business,
acquiring extensive real-estate holdings. He erected a number of business
blocks as well as residences. Among the former was the Eddy building, erected
on the site where he had his office and residence for many years.

Dr. Eddy was twice married. In June, 1864, he wedded Miss F. Gertrude
Hammond, of Waterloo, Iowa, and they were the parents of one son, Walter F
who was drowned at the age of thirteen years. On the 29th of lune, 1896 Dr'
Eddy was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Cadwallader, of Waverly, Iowa,
a representative of a very old and prominent Philadelphia family of colonial
stock. To the same family belonged General Cadwallader and others who have
figured prommently in connection with the history of Pennsylvania. Her father,
Phillip Cadwallader, was born in Indiana, near Laporte, on the 12th of Novem-
ber, 1 82 1, and made his way westward to Wisconsin in early manhood He
located at Evansville and was there married to Miss Mary Edmonds, who was
born in England m 1824 and at the age of fourteen years was brought to the
United States by her parents, who settled either in Rock or Green county Wis-
consin. Her father, Richard Edmonds, was a well-to-do pioneer farmer and
representative citizen of the district in which he lived. He died at his home in
Wisconsin when about seventy-five years of age. Phillip Cadwallader also gave
his attention to general agricultural pursuits and won a substantial measure of
prosperity during the period in which he carried on farming in Wisconsin and
in Iowa. Mrs. Eddy has every reason to be proud of an honorable ancestry.

\?f^//a^^Ocl

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 441

She was born in Evansville, near Madison, Wisconsin, March 25, 1857, and after
attending the public schools of her native town continued her education in the
Whitewater Normal School. Subsequently she began teaching in the Evansville
schools and in 1880 she came with her parents to Waterloo and soon afterward
accepted a position as teacher in Waverly. Still later she was successfully
engaged in teaching in Marshalltown, Iowa, and thus was closely, actively and
helpfully identified with the educational progress of the state. On the 29th of
June, 1896, in Janesville, Iowa, she gave her hand in marriage to Dr. Eddy.
They became the parents of two children: Roger Willard, who was born in
Waterloo, April 24, 1897, and is now a pupil in the high school ; and Olive, who
was born in 1899 ^^^ ^^^^ i" ^903- Mrs. Eddy is a lady of most amiable dis-
position and of innate culture and refinement. She has done much to further
literary and educational interests in Waterloo and has been actively identified
with many important charitable projects.

In politics Dr. Eddy was a lifelong republican, but not an active party worker,
save as he exercised his right of franchise at the polls. For many years he was
a devoted and consistent member and liberal supporter of the Congregational
church. He was always active in matters pertaining to the public welfare and
the growth and development of Waterloo and his section of the state and his
high ideals found expression in practical efi^ort for their embodiment. Along
the strict path of his profession his connections were with the Black Hawk County
Medical Society, the Cedar Valley Medical Society and the Iowa State Medical
Association. His life at all times measured up to the highest standards of man-
hood and citizenship, was fraught with good deeds and noble purposes and long
proved a beneficent influence in the community in which he lived.

LEVI FINCH.

Levi Finch, of Fairbank, is a representative of one of the old and prominent
families of the county and is now engaged in the conduct of a shoe store and
clothing establishment. He was born in Lester township on the 20th of July,
1865, and his parents were among the earliest settlers of the county, having made
the overland trip from Pennsylvania to this state in 1853, at which time they
took up their abode in Independence. At a later date they removed to a farm
in Lester township and it was upon that place that the subject of this review
was born. Further mention of this family is made in connection with the sketch
of Ira Finch on another page of this work.

Through the period of his boyhood Levi Finch divided his time between
attending the common schools and working in the fields. He was still compara-
tively young when he began learning the painter's trade and he also learned the
shoemaker's trade, both of which he continues to follow. He has one of the
best equipped shoe shops in this part of the state, including all of the latest
improved machinery operated by gasoline power. In addition to making shoes
and executing contracts for painting he carries a stock of boots and shoes and
also sells tailor-made clothing.

442 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

In Waterloo, Iowa, Mr. Finch was married to Miss Bertha Richards, who
was born in Lester township on the 5th of March, 1875. She was there reared
to womanhood and has always been a resident of this county. Her father, John
Richards, was born in Pennsylvania, and is now residing in Minnesota. Her
mother, Mrs. Emma (Dewald) Richards, was likewise born in the Keystone
state and passed away in Lester township. In the Richards family there are five
children who survive : Mrs. Isabelle Hetherington, now residing in Missouri ;
Mrs. Finch ; Fred, who is a resident farmer of Fairbank township ; Dora, who is
living in California ; and Albert. All were born and reared in Lester township.

Air. and Mrs. Finch have become the parents of five children: Mary, who
was born August i, 1896, in Lester township and is a graduate of the Fair-
bank high school of the class of 1914; Ella, who was born in Lester township,
November 7, 1898; John, born in Fairbank, March 20, 1901 ; Myro, born in
Fairbank, August 23, 1903; and Julia, born September 17, 1905. In his political
views Mr. Finch is an earnest republican and gives stalwart support to the party.
He belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp at Fairbank but his eftorts are con-
centrated upon his business. He is a splendid workman and his time is com-
pletely taken up with his two trades and with the management of the shoe busi-
ness. He is a man of genuine worth, reliable and trustworthy in all connections,
and he has an extensive circle of warm friends in his native county.

FRED TEETER.

Through the past decade Fred Teeter has been engaged in the manufacture
of concrete blocks and also conducts business as a contractor in the building of
cement structures of all kinds and also of concrete walks, floors and structural
work. In this connection he has become a well known representative of indus-
trial and manufacturing interests in Waterloo, his native city. He was born
April 15, 1878, a son of Isaac and Elizabeth Clara (Owen) Teeter, the former
a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Michigan. They were married, how-
ever, in Waterloo, to which city the father came in the latter '50s. He learned
the stonemason's trade in early life and, continuing work along that line after
coming to Iowa, he assisted in the construction of some of the principal build-
ings of Waterloo, remaining in that business throughout practically his entire
life. About 1897 he removed to Boise, Idaho, where he is still in business as a
contractor and he occupies a commanding position in that city. His wife also
survives.

Fred Teeter is one of the younger members of a family of six children. He
acquired his education in the public schools of West Waterloo and when eighteen
years of age was employed on a truck farm, spending two years in that way.
When twenty years of age he began learning the stonemason's trade, which he
followed until he turned his attention to the cement block business about 1904,
beginning the manufacture of cement blocks. He has a factory with a capacity
of thirteen hundred blocks per day. This is thoroughly equipped with the latest
improved machinery for carrying on the work. He owns the factory building
and the site and in the conduct of the business is meeting with gratifying sue-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 448

cess. He also takes contracts for cement structures of all kinds, for concrete
walks, floors and in fact all sorts of structural concrete work, and he ranks today
among the leading manufacturers and builders of the city. In addition to his
factory property he owns real estate on the west side in Waterloo, farm lands in
Minnesota and his residence on the east side.

In August, 1900, Mr. Teeter was united in marriage to Miss Lavina Altland,
who was born eleven miles north of Waterloo, Iowa, her parents being Edward
and Mary (Pashby) Altland. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and
was married in Michigan to Miss Mary Pashby, a native of England. They
removed from the W^olverine state to Iowa, settling eleven miles north of Water-
loo, where they took up their abode soon after the close of the Civil war. The
father devoted his active life to farming and was engaged continuously in tilling
the soil until 1898, when he retired from business and took up his abode in
Waterloo but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, his death occurrmg
in December of the same year. His widow still resides in Waterloo. Their
daughter, Mrs. Teeter, was the sixth in order of birth in a family of seven
children, and by her marriage she has become the mother of four children, as
follows:' Clare Alden, who was born June 22, 1902, and is attending school;
Floyd, who was born March 17, 1907, and is also attending school; Lily May,
whose natal day was May 16, 191 1 ; and Hazel Alva, whose birth occurred on the

8th of January, 1914-

Mr. Teeter is connected with the Iowa Life Insurance Company. He belongs
to the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and was formerly a member of the
Baptist church but now attends the Linden Methodist Episcopal church. He
has never aspired to public office and casts an independent ballot. He has
always concentrated his energies upon his business affairs and from the age of
eicrhteen years has been dependent upon his own resources, so that whatever
success he has achieved has been the reward of his labor. The line of business
with which he is connected is of comparatively recent origin, and is constantly
developing. Mr. Teeter keeps in touch with modern improvements in manu-
facture and also in methods of concrete construction work and the product of
his factory as well as the execution of his contracts has brought to him a well
earned reputation.

ROSS W. EMERT.

Ross W Emert is a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Poyner township
and an analyzation of his Hfe work is another proof of the fact that close atten-
tion to business, sound judgment and unfaltering enterprise are ever factors m
the attainment of prosperity. He was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania,
in 1866, a son of John J. and Elizabeth (Maurer) Emert, both o whom were
natives of the Keystone state, born in 1837 and 1840 respectively. In early
life the father followed farming in Pennsylvania and in the latter part of the
■cos made his way westward to IlHnois, where he carried on farming for a few
years He then returned to the Keystone state and was married. Afterward

444 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

he came to Black Hawk county, settling in Poyner township in 1867 In the
meantime he had done effective service for his country as a soldier of the Civil
war, gomg to the front with a regiment of Kentucky Light Artillery He went
down the Ohio river from Pittsburgh in order to enlist at Louisville He was
ill while at the front but sustained no wounds during the year and a half which
he spent in the army. He was a private and took part in a number of important
engagements, including the hard fought battle of Shiloh. When he came to
Iowa he purchased land and at one time was the owner of eleven hundred acres
m Black Hawk county, some of which is now worth more than two hundred
dollars per acre. At the time of his death he was still the owner of six hundred
and sixty acres. After devoting many years to general 'farming he joined O W
i^ollett in 1900 in the grain, lumber and coal business at Dewar, Iowa He 'was
at one time the owner of land on which that town now stands and he was a verv
heavy stockholder in the United States Gypsum Company of Fort Dodge and
likewise had extensive mining interests in Arizona and New Mexico In 188^
he shipped a car of fancy stock from Kentucky. He never exhibited his stock
at the county and state fairs but raised Durham cattle for commercial purposes
He was a heavy feeder of both cattle and hogs and he likewise engaged extensivelv
m raising horses. He never had any aspirations for political office yet his fellow
townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, frequently called upon him to serve
m local positions. He was one of the most active, prominent and valued men
of his township and his work was of worth to the community in which he lived
his labors being an element in the general development and improvement of his
section. He spent the last ten years of his life in retirement from business and
passed away on the i8th of May, 1912. His widow survives and lives on the old
homestead with her daughter, Mrs. D. S. Hippie, who is the younger of the two
children.

Ross W. Emert attended school in Poyner township and continued to assist
his father m cultivating the fields and further improving the old home place
until twenty-five years of age, when he began farming on his own account
bince that time he has engaged quite extensively in stock-raising as well as in
the production of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and he makes a
specialty of Durham cattle and Poland China hogs. His business afi^airs are
characterized by sound judgment and whatever he undertakes he carries forward
to successful completion.

His wife, who in her maidenhood bore the name of Elizabeth F. Moyer was

r^c;!" ;" ^r^^'" T""'^' P^""^>^1-^"^^' ^"d was a daughter of }. A. and Mary
(Shu t) Moyer, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. The father
IS still living and is now retired at Dewar at the age of eighty years. The
mother, who was born in 1837, has passed away. Mr. Moyer was always a
farmer, following that occupation throughout his entire active life He settled
m Iowa m 1882 and became the owner of considerable land in Fox township
where he carried on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. During
the last nine years of his life he lived retired in Dewar. In politic? he was I
democrat, active in support of the party, yet he did not seek nor desire public
office. His daughter, Mrs. Emert, was the second in order of birth in a family
of four children and by her marriage has become the mother of two children
George, who is at home ; and Fern. '

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 445

Mr. Emert is a prominent Mason. He holds membership with the lodge,
chapter, council and commandery in Waterloo and in his life he exemplifies the
beneficent spirit of the craft, recognizing at all times the brotherhood of man-
kind. He is also connected with the Royal Neighbors and the Modern Wood-
men of America and he is a member of the Board of Trade of Waterloo. In
politics he is an earnest republican, doing all in his power to further the growth
and promote the success of his party. He has held minor township offices, but
has preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, devoting the
greater part of his attention to his farm, which is most capably managed and is
bringing to him gratifying success. Sound judgment controls his business
activities and interests and by the consensus of public opinion he is numbered
among the representative farmers of Poyner township.

FRANK R. HOLLIS.

Frank R. Hollis is a retired farmer and the president of the Hudson Savings
Bank and his business ability, expressed in indefatigable industry guided by
sound judgment, has brought him success in creditable measure. He was born
in Rensselaer county, near Albany, New York, in 1842, a son of Harlan S. and
Jane (Coons) Hollis, the former born in Vermont in 1819 and the latter in
Rensselaer county. New York, in the same year. The father followed farming
in early life and also engaged in dealing in coal, which he hauled from the
mountains to Albany for many years. In 1862, following the outbreak of the
Civil war, he enlisted at Troy, New York, as a member of Company E, One
Hundred and Twenty-fifth New York Infantry, and went to the front as a
teamster. He served until the close of the war and at Harper's Ferry was taken
prisoner. When hostilities were over he returned to his farm in the Empire state
and there lived until his retirement from active business life, when he came to
Hudson, Iowa, and made his home with his son until his death. He was active
in republican politics in his community but was not an office seeker. In the family
were five children, of whom Frank R. was the second in order of birth. Two
of the number are now residents of Iowa, George Hollis making his home in
Cedar Falls.

Frank R. Hollis acquired his early education in a little log schoolhouse, where
he sat on a peg bench. The curriculum embraced little more than the three Rs —
readin', 'ritin' and 'rithmetic. However, in the school of experience he has
learned many valuable lessons and reading has also broadened his knowledge.
He possesses, too, an observing eye and a retentive memory and thus it is that
he has become a power in business circles in his community. He remained upon
the home farm until twenty years of age, working for his father and also for
neighboring farmers. He, too, became a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting at
Troy, in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth New York Infantry, as
a private, thus becoming a member of the same company to which his father
belonged. He was never wounded, but was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry.
He saw active service at Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, the battle of the
Wilderness and other important engagements. He never faltered in the face

446 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

of duty, whether on the firing line or on the lonely picket line, and made a most
creditable military record by his loyalty and bravery.

When the war was over Mr. Hollis made his way westward to Black Hawk
county, where he purchased land and began farming. He had previously mar-
ried in New York and he brought his wife to the new home. There were few
settlers in this part of the state and the work of improvement had been carried
forward to only a slight degree. For more than forty years Mr. Hollis engaged
in farming and as the years passed on he prospered owing to his untiring efiforts
and his judicious investments. As opportunity offered he added to his landed
possessions from time to time until he is today the owner of one thousand acres
in Black Hawk county. He engaged quite extensively in raising shorthorn
cattle and Poland China hogs and the various features of his farm proved
sources of profitable income. He extended his connections to other business
interests also and became one of the original stockholders of the Hudson Savings
Bank, of which he is now the president. He is Hkewise the vice president of the
Hudson Lumber, Grain & Coal Company and his spirit of enterprise and his
sound judgment constitute an impetus for these concerns. The active manage-
ment is largely left to others, yet he still gives supervision to his business interests
and at the same time has leisure for the enjoyment of those things which are a
matter of interest and pleasure.

In 1865 Mr. Hollis was united in marriage to Miss Ellen S. Bly, who was
born in New York, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bly, who were natives
of Massachusetts. The father became a farmer and sawmill owner near Troy,
New York, where he lived until 1864, when he removed westward to this county!
Here he became the owner of land and was numbered among the well known
farmers of his township. Both in New York and in Iowa he was a supporter
of the democratic party. His family numbered thirteen children, of whom Mrs.
Hollis is the seventh in order of birth.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hollis have been born nine children. Charles, who is man-
ager of the Black Hawk Oil Company of Cedar Falls and is a recognized leader
in the local ranks of the republican party, is married and has two children:
Frank, who is now a student in the Normal School ; and Geneice. Harlan, who
IS manager of the lumber company at Hudson, Iowa, and is active in the public
affairs of the community, is married and has three children, Mildred, Dorothy
and Palmer. lola is the wife of Orley Mosely, a farmer of Black Hawk town-
ship, and they have three children, Mae, Nellie and Hollis. Edward, a graduate
of the Normal School of Cedar Falls, of the Iowa University and of Rush
Medical College of Chicago, is now a practicing physician of Rolfe, Iowa, and
IS married and has two children, Catharine and Marion. John is with his father
m Hudson. Rienza, who is operating his father's farm, is married and has one
child, Keith. Lettie is the wife of Clyde Eighmey, a farmer of Orange township,
near Waterloo, and an active and influential citizen of his" locality, and they
have one child, Elizabeth. Arthur, who resides on a farm near Hudson, is mar-
ried and has one child, Edna. Jennie became the wife of Albert Manish and
died at the age of twenty-three years, leaving one child, Arthur.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Hollis has been a
stalwart republican and does everything in his power to promote the growth
and insure the success of his party. He has held a number of township offices

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY • 447

the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fideUty. He belongs
to the Odd Fellows lodge, being a charter member at Hudson, and has filled all
of the chairs, including that of noble grand. While in New York he and his
wife held membership in the Freewill Baptist church, but now attend the Breth-
ren Progressive church. His wife is very active in church work and also in the
social clubs and literary circles of Hudson. Both are highly respected and
occupy a place of prominence in public regard. Mr. Hollis has justly won the
success that has come to him and the esteem in which he is uniformly held. He
had no special advantages at the outset of his career but one must essentially
formulate and determine their own character and, prompted by laudable pur-
pose and high principles, Mr. Hollis has so guided his life that he ranks today
among the forceful and honored residents of Hudson.

FRED WILLIAM HARRISON BUEHNER.

Fred WilHam Harrison Buehner, who since the nth of February, 191 1, has
been actively engaged in business at Fairbank, was born June 21, 1888, in Lester
township, Black Hawk county. His father, John Buehner, was born January
16, 1852, in Howard township, Stephenson county, Illinois, and when four and
a half years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Black Hawk
county, settling in Barclay township in 1856, where they lived for a number of
years, removing in 1866 to Lester township. John Buehner acquired his edu-
cation in the rural schools and spent his boyhood and youth in the usual manner
of farm lads. He was married on the 25th of February, 1873, to Caroline Isa-
belle Holdiman, who was born May 19, 1855, in Wheatland township, Will
county, Illinois, and on removing with her parents to Iowa settled in Bennington
township. Black Hawk county. She was then thirteen years of age and she, too,
attended the country schools. Mr. and Mrs. Buehner are still living in this
county in the locality where they first established their home and to them have
been born ten children: Mrs. Mary Finch, residing in Fairbank; Mrs. Clara
Stufflehean, of Waterloo; John J., also of Waterloo; Chris, residing in Dunker-
ton; Albert, whose home is in Waterloo ; a son who died in infanc)^; Fred W. H.,
of this review; Mrs. Lydia Mickleson, of Waterloo; Sidney, living in Lester
township; and Frank, who was born August 29, 1896, and died August 21, 1899,
at the age of two years, eleven months and twenty-two days.

Upon the old home farm Fred W. H. Buehner spent his youthful days and
at the usual age began his education in the public schools. He attended the
Pleasantville school in district No. 3 in Lester township, completed the work of
the eighth grade and afterward spent one term in the spring of 1908 in the
Fairbank high school. In the fall of that year he entered upon a year's course
in the Stone School of Horology at St. Paul, Minnesota. Throughout the
periods of vacation his attention was devoted to the farm work and thus year
by year he assisted in the further development and cultivation of the fields upon
the old homestead. In 1901 he began farming and operating a traction engine
and was engaged in that business from the time that he was about fourteen years
of age until 1910. On the ist of October, 1909, he began learning the watch-

448 . HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

maker's trade and has been engaged in business along that hne continuously
since the nth of February, 191 1.

At Waterloo, on the loth of June, 1913, Mr. Buehner was united in marriage
to Miss Irene C. Arett, of Austin, Minnesota, a daughter of Mr. and Airs. Jacob
Arett, of that place. Her father was born December 18, i860, and her mother,
Mary (Knutson) Arett, was bom September 29, 1863. They were married in
1886 and they became parents of twelve children : Amma, born February 12,
1887; Henry, born August 31, 1888; Bertha, who was born in 1890 and died in
early childhood; George, born July 8, 1891 ; Ellen, February 9, 1893; Irene,
November 29, 1894; Clint, June 22, 1896; Bennie, March 29, 1898; Walter, May
23, 1900; Albert, March 7, 1903; Ernest, April 26, 1905; and Clarence, January
23, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Buehner have become parents of a daughter, Esther
Madaline, born July 31, 1914, in Fairbank.

Mr. and Mrs. Buehner attend the Methodist Episcopal church of Fairbank
and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, but he does not
hesitate to vote for the nominee of the other party if he thinks him the better
man. He is well known in this county, where his entire life has been passed,
and among those who know him his many substantial and admirable qualities
and characteristics have gained him warm friendship and high regard.

H. C. RIENSCHE.

An attractive country home in Fox township is the property of H. C.
Riensche. It stands in the midst of an excellent farm of two hundred and forty
acres and to the development and improvement of the place he gives his undi-
vided attention with good results. He was born in 1867 in the township which
is still his home, his parents being William and Eleanor ( Lichtenberg) Riensche,
both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born in Buckeburg in 1826
and the latter in Dankersen in 1832. The father followed farming in his native
country and when a young man made the long voyage to the new world. He
at once started westward and for six years was employed at railroad building
in Indiana. In 1854 he drove across country to Black Hawk county, Iowa, and
cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers who were reclaiming this district for the
purposes of civilization. Waterloo was at that time a mere village and there was
only one house between it and his own home. The most farsighted could scarcely
have dreamed of the changes which were soon to occur and transform this into
one of the populous and prosperous counties of the commonwealth.

Mr. Riensche broke the prairie with ox teams, planted his crops and in the
course of time gathered good harvests. His farm comprised one hundred and
twenty acres, which he brought to a high state of cultivation, and in addition
to his activity along agricultural lines he took a most helpful interest in public
affairs, especially along those lines which contributed to the early development
and improvement of this section. He assisted in building the early churches
and schoolhouses of logs and he was one of the organizers of the Evangelical
Lutheran church, in the work of which he took a most active part. His efforts
were at all times of value to the community and his name is therefore indelibly

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 449

inscribed upon the pages of pioneer history in Black Hawk county. His family
numbered nine children, of whom H. C. was the second youngest in order of
birth. The father died in the year 1908 and thus passed away one of the worthy
pioneer settlers whose memory had constituted a connecting link between the
primitive past and the progressive present.

H. C. Riensche had but limited educational opportunities but attended the
German parochial schools and the country schools for five months. With
experience as his teacher, however, he has learned many valuable lessons as
the years have gone on, for he possesses an observing eye and a retentive mem-
ory. When twenty-four years of age he bought land but still resided at home
and rented the farm. Later he began the cultivation of his own property and is
now the owner of two hundred and forty acres, in the midst of which stand an
attractive residence and substantial barns and outbuildings. Everything about
the place indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods and he is
justly accounted one of the progressive and enterprising farmers of the com-
munity.

Mr. Riensche was united in marriage to Miss Anna Pump, who was born in
Chicago, a daughter of John and Maria (Esch) Pump, natives of Germany.
After coming to the United States they lived for some time in Chicago, where
the father worked in lumber yards. In his native land he had been identified
with farming. In 1884 he removed to Black Hawk county, establishing his
home in Spring Creek township, where he not only carried on general agricul-
tural pursuits, but was also very prominent in township affairs. He came to
the United States a poor boy and became a wealthy man owing to the wise use
which he made of his time and opportunities. His diligence enabled him to
overcome many difficulties and obstacles in business and ultimately reach the
goal of success. Mr. and Mrs. Riensche have three children : Olinda. who was
born in 1897; Erwin, born in 1899; and Gilbert, whose birth occurred in 1912.

The family attend the Lutheran church, of which Mr. Riensche is a very
active and prominent member, doing all in his power to further its growth and
extend its influence. He has been an important factor in community affairs
and has co-operated in many plans which have been directly beneficial to the
district. He has for six years been township trustee of Fox township, in which
office he is the present incumbent. His influence is always on the side of advance-
ment, progress, reform and improvement and his life has been one of value to
the community in which he lives.

GEORGE H. OUEST.

George H. Quest is the senior partner in the firm of Quest & Smith, plumbers
and steamfitters of Waterloo, in which city he was born on the nth of October,
1883, his parents being Matthew W. and Mattie M. (Harroun) Quest, the former
a native of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Darlington, Wisconsin.
They were married, however, in Freeport, Illinois, and in 1879 became residents
of Waterloo. For thirty years the father was engaged in the jewelry business
in Freeport and for a decade continued along the same line in Waterloo. Sue-

450 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

cess attended his well managed business affairs until ultimately he put aside
further business interests, having in the meantime acquired a handsome com-
petence. For twenty-five years he lived retired in Waterloo, enjoying a well
earned rest, and on the 12th of September, 1914, he passed away at the age of
seventy-eight years.

George H. Quest entered the public schools at the usual age and continued
his education until he entered the W^est high school, from which he was grad-
uated with the class of 1901. Following the completion of his course he entered
upon an apprenticeship to the plumber's trade, thoroughly mastering the business
and becoming an expert workman along that line. In 1906 he embarked in the
plumbing business on his own account, continuing so independently for four
years, or until 1910, when S. C. Smith purchased an interest in the business
which has since been conducted under the name of Quest & Smith. Their trade
is of an extensive character and the constant demand made for their services
has resulted in the attainment of a substantial and gratifying measure of success.

On the 8th of May, 1914, Mr. Quest was joined in wedlock to Miss Hilda
Sylvester, of Greene, Butler county, Iowa. His fraternal relations are with
Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P. Lie is also a member of the Waterloo Chamber of
Commerce and is deeply interested in matters of citizenship. He studies the
vital and significant situations and problems, and gives his aid and influence on
the side of advancement and improvement. He is well known in the city where
his entire life has been spent and his many good traits of character have brought
him the high regard and good-will of those with whom he has come in contact.

SIDNEY C. SMITH.

Sidney C. Smith, an enterprising and successful young business man of Water-
loo, is a member of the firm of Quest & Smith, plumbers and steamfitters, conduct-
ing one of the most extensive establishments of the kind in the city. His birth
occurred in Rockford, Illinois, on the i6th of September, 1887, his parents being
Harry and Eliza (Hodges) Smith, both of whom were natives of England. They
emigrated to the United States in young manhood and young womanhood and
were married in Rockford, Illinois. Harry Smith was a harness maker by trade
and for many years conducted a harness shop in that city. His demise occurred
at Rockford in 1909, when he had attained the age of sixty-two years. Mrs.
Smith survives, however, and now makes her home with a daughter in Dixon,
Illinois.

Sidney C. Smith acquired his education in the graded and high schools of
Rockford and when in his sixteenth year became a wage earner as an employe
in the Wire Iron Works of that city, remaining with that concern for about
eighteen months. In the spring of 1904 he came to Waterloo, Iowa, served an
apprenticeship to the plumber's trade and subsequently worked as a journey-
man until 1910. In that year he purchased an interest in the plumbing business
of George H. Quest, forming the firm of Quest & Smith, which has developed
one of the most extensive enterprises of the kind in Waterloo. The junior
partner is widely recognized as a young man of excellent executive ability and

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 451

keen discernment who has contributed not a little to the growing success of the
concern.

On the 14th of September, 191 1, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Aliss
Maud Frye, of Waterloo, Iowa. He is identified fraternally with Helmet Lodge,
No. 89, K. P., and also belongs to the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and the
Town Criers Club. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the
Congregational church, to which his wife likewise belongs. In private life he
has been actuated by principles which govern honorable and upright manhood
and the same high ideals have ever been manifest in his business dealings.

WILLIAM L. CHAPLIN.

William L. Chaplin is a retired farmer, residing in Jesup, whose life work
indicates what may be accomplished when ambition and determination point out
the way. Today he is the possessor of a handsome competence, but he started
out in life empty-handed and he knows all of the difficulties which are to be
met in a business career. An analyzation of his life shows that work — earnest,
persistent work — has been the basis of his prosperity and the course which he
has followed may well serve as an example for others.

Mr. Chaplin was born in Cortland county. New York, in 1847, ?' son of Erin
and Abby (Atwell) Chaplin, the former a native of New York and the latter of
Vermont. The father learned the trade of shoemaking in early life and followed
it for a time but in 1847 removed westward to Illinois and in the Mississippi
valley turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. After living in Illinois for
eight years he made the journey by wagon to Iowa and in 1855 took vip his abode
in Barclay township. Black Hawk county. He found pioneer conditions here.
There were only a few houses in the vicinity of his home but he lived to see the
country become thickly settled. With characteristic energy he began farming
and continued upon the home place until he retired from active business and
removed to South Dakota, where his remaining days were passed. He took a
helpful interest in public affairs in this county and aided in advancing material
progress. Following the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted here for service
in the Union army and was one of the able defenders of the stars and stripes.
Upon his return he resumed the work of general farming and stock-raising and
as the years passed on he met with substantial success.

William L. Chaplin was but an infant when his parents removed from the
Empire state to Illinois and was a little lad of but eight years when they came
to Iowa. He attended the early schools of Barclay township and he was trained
to farm work when young, following the plow almost from the time that he was
large enough to reach the handles. He purchased property when land was cheap
and by reason of his unfaltering industry and perseverance has met with sub-
stantial success. As his financial resources have increased he has added to his
holdings from time to time and is now the owner of four hundred and eighty
acres in Black Hawk county and eight hundred acres in South Dakota, near
Huron. He also has extensive holdings in Wisconsin. He has dealt more or
less in lands, winning substantial prosperity from his well directed business

452 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

interests. He is today numbered among the men of affluence in the county and
in 1908, retiring from the active work of the farm, he removed to Jesup, where
he now resides. His property interests return to him a gratifying annual income.
He is also a stockholder in the Jesup State Bank and in the Securities Building
Company and is today regarded as one of the substantial citizens of Jesup.

Mr. Chaplin was married to Miss Rose L. Chatfield, who was born in Du
Page county, Illinois, in 1850, and passed away in Jesup in 1913. Her parents
were Alonzo and Mary (Graves) Chatfield, both natives of New York. In
early manhood her father removed westward to Illinois and took up a claim.
He saw Chicago emerge from villagehood and take on all the aspects of metro-
politan life. He was always active in community afifairs and held a number of
local offices. He owned considerable land, winning success as the years passed
on. Removing to Jesup, he retained his residence there to the time of his death.
To Mr. and Mrs. Chaplin were born six children ; Jay, who resides on a farm
near Moorhead, Minnesota, is married and has six children. Mabel is the wife
of Burton Fuller, a farmer living in Kiester, Minnesota, and they have six chil-
dren. Genevieve maried Charles Nessfield, of La Porte City. Iowa, and they
have one child. Arthur occupies a farm in Barclay township. George is mar-
ried and resides upon a farm in Sauk county. Wisconsin. Caryl is operating his
father's farm in Barclay township. He is married and has one child.

Mr. Chaplin gives his support to the Methodist church, of which he has long
been an earnest and consistent member. He has never taken an active part in
public alTairs as an office seeker, yet his influence has always been on the side
of improvement and advancement. He certainly deserves much credit for what
he has accomplished in that he started out a poor boy and is today numbered
among the men of affluence in Black Hawk county. His efforts have brought
excellent results, for they have been guided by the rules that govern industry
and strict, unswerving integrity.

PAUL W. SMITH.

Paul W. Smith is a partner in the law firm of Edwards, Langley, Ransier
& Smith and in this connection has won a creditable position at the bar of
Black Hawk county. His life record stands in contradistinction to the old
adage about a prophet being without honor in his own country, for Mr. Smith
has won a creditable place at the bar of his native city, his birth having occurred
in Waterloo in 1885. His father, E. B. Smith, now deceased, was a native of
New York and at a very early day came to Waterloo, where the family home
was established and has since been maintained. He married Agnes W. Wil-
liams, who still makes her home in W^aterloo, although she is now residing in
California. The children of this marriage are: Roger W.. a practicing attorney
of Alaska; Margaret, the wife of L. G. Braun, of Los Angeles. California; Paul
W., of this review ; Lawrence L.. who is connected with the Waterloo Cement
Machinery Corporation of Waterloo ; and Merritt B., who is with his mother
in California.

PAUL W. SMITH

jK FOUHO* »■«»*» ;

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 455

Reared under the parental roof, Paul W. Smith mastered the branches of
learning taught in the public schools, passing through consecutive grades until
graduated from the East Waterloo high school with the class of 1904. He con-
tinued his education in a one year's course in the normal college at Cedar Falls
and afterward, in preparation for a professional career, entered the law depart-
ment of the University of Iowa and was graduated LL. B. with the class of
1908. He then returned to Waterloo for practice and during the first two years
thereafter was associated with his brother, R. W.^ Smith, since which time he
has been a member of the present firm of Edwards, Langley, Ransier & Smith.
Realizing the importance of carefully preparing his cases, he spares no pains
to familiarize himself with every point bearing upon his cause and he has also
proven his strength and resourcefulness in argument. He is a member of both
the Waterloo Bar Association and the State Bar Association and is a director
of the Smith, Lichty & Hillman Company and of the Waterloo Canning Company.

On the 6th of February, 1913, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss
Eleanor R. Sweet, of Belle Plaine, Iowa, and they have one daughter, Sylvia
Sweet. Mr. Smith belongs to a college fraternity, the Phi Kappa Psi, and he
is affiliated with the Masons and the Elks. He is likewise connected with the
Commercial Club and Board of Trade, of which he is a director, and he has
membership in the Town Criers Club. The interests and welfare of Waterloo
are dear to his heart, for here his entire life has been spent. He does everything
in his power to advance the development and improvement of the city along
substantial and attractive lines. When he turns aside from professional and
public affairs and enters social circles, his fellow townsmen find him a most con-
genial, companionable gentleman and his popularity is well attested by the num-
ber of his friends.

RANSOM BAILEY.

Along the lines of orderly progression the life of Ransom Bailey was marked
out and the record is one which should serve to inspire and encourage others,
showing what may be accomplished when energy and determination are guided
by intelligence and when industry and persistency of purpose find expression in
everyday affairs. He never sought to figure prominently in any public connec-
tion and yet he became one of the leading residents of Iowa by reason of the
extent and importance of the business interests which he built up.

He was born in Windsor county, Vermont, February 24, 1828, and his par-
ents, Samuel and Dorothy (Newton) Bailey, were also natives of that state,
while his paternal grandparents, Levi and Hannah (Bailey) Bailey, were natives
of Massachusetts. The father of Levi Bailey and one of his brothers joined
the Colonial army during the Revolutionary \yar and met death upon the battle-
field of Bunker Hill. Two other brothers of Levi Bailey were among the
earliest settlers of the state of New York. Levi Bailey was but fourteen years
of age at the time his father was killed. He felt it necessary to provide for his
own support and, leaving home, went to Vermont, where he began the manu-
facture of potash, a business which was just coming to the front at that time.

Vol. II-

456 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

In fact, he was the first potash manufacturer in the Green Mountain state. Later
he estabhshed the first blacksmith shop, then the first grist mill, the first sawmill,
the first woolen mill, starch factory and linseed oil mill in the town of Reading,
Vermont. During the later years of his life he became a stock drover and
enjoyed the reputation of being one of the largest dealers in the eastern markets.
His political allegiance was given to the whig party and he was one of the infiu-
ential residents of the district in which he made his home.

His son, Samuel Bailey, father of Ransom Bailey, was born in Windsor
county, \^ermont, on the 14th of January, 1794, and remained with his parents
until he had attained his majority, assisting largely in the conduct of his father's
business. He spent the greater part of his life in the Green Mountain state but
passed away in Iowa at the home of his son. Ransom Bailey, on the 14th of
February, 1891 — almost a centenarian. He was married in Vermont to Miss
Dorothy Newton, a daughter of Samuel Newton, and they became the parents
of nine children, Orwell, George, Lovira, Ransom, Samuel, Sarah, Levi, Mary and
Charles. Like his father, Samuel Bailey gave his political indorsement to the
whig party vmtil its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new republican
party and continued one of its stalwart champions at all times.

Ransom Bailey attended the district and select schools of his native state
and then began earning his living as a farm hand, receiving but eight dollars
per month as compensation for his labor. He was thus employed until he
reached the age of twenty- four years and during that period as the result of
his industry and economy managed to acquire a capital of six hundred dollars.
The west with its growing opportunities attracted him and in the fall of 1851
he arrived in Ogle county, Illinois, accompanied by two of his brothers. The
three were associated in the purchase and in the entering of land from the United
States government, and they founded the town of Baileyville in Ogle county.
They devoted their energies to general farming, growing grain and raising stock,
and also extended the scope of their activities in the building and operation of
a factory for the making of wire-tooth horse rakes. Their efiforts along these
various lines were attended wath well merited success and their business con-
.stantly grew in volume and importance. At one time Ransom Bailey was the
owner of elevators in eleven towns along the route of the St. Paul & Milwaukee
Railroad. His plans were carefully formulated and promptly executed and the
sound judgment which he displayed in the management of his business aff^airs
brought to him a very gratifying measure of prosperity. About the time of
the close of the Civil war he disposed of his interests in the wire rake factory
and invested some of his money in Iowa land and in sheep.

Mr. Bailey, however, did not become a resident of Iowa until 1877, when
he removed with his family to Grundy county, where he invested extensively
in farm lands, becoming one of the most prominent agriculturists of that part of
the state. To his original investments he added from time to time until he had
about four thousand acres. He arrived in Black Hawk county about 1887 and
was at one time the second largest landowner in the county. He continued in
the grain trade after coming to Iowa but later retired from that field of labor
and engaged extensively in handling real estate and live stock. In 1891 he estab-
lished his home in Cedar Falls and from that point superintended his business
affairs, which were of mammoth proportions and of great importance. He also

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 457

owned some town property but he operated most largely in farm lands in north-
ern Iowa. He was justly regarded as one of the most prominent residents of
the county and he might have held any political office had he so desired. It was
the wish of his fellow townsmen that he should become a candidate for the office
of state senator but this he refused to do. He always preferred to concentrate
his energies upon his business affairs with the result that his close application,
untiring effort and keen sagacity brought to him a most gratifying measure of
success that placed him in the class of the leading farmers and stockraisers of
the state.

In January, 1867, Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Mary Dyer, who
was born at East Berne, Albany county, New York, March 8, 1845, a daughter
of the late Judge James Dyer, who for many years was a prominent jurist of
Albany county. In her father's home the daughter spent her girlhood days and
after completing a high-school education in the city of Albany continued her
studies in a seminary at Mount Morris, New York. In 1862, in company with
her uncle and aunt, Mr. and INIrs. E. Shrevell, she went to Chicago, where she
remained until her uncle returned from service in the Civil war. A removal was
then made to Ogle county, Illinois, where she formed the acquaintance of Ran-
som Bailey, who successfully sought her hand in marriage. They became the
parents of three children: Jennie, who was born November 7, 1867, and died
March 16, 1876; and James L. and Samuel O., both of whom are mentioned
elsewhere in this volume. The life of Mrs. Bailey was characterized by generous
charity, a beautiful motherhood and devotion to her home. The death of Mr.
Bailey occurred in Cedar Falls, May 28, 1905, and his widow, surviving for
about two years, died on the 25th of May, 1907. They were both most highly
esteemed and had a circle of friends coextensive with the circle of their
acquaintance.

In the passing of Ransom Bailey the county lost one of its most prominent
and representative citizens. His life record proved what could be accomplished
when there is the will to do and to dare and when industry is guided by sound
judgment. There were no esoteric phases in his career. The methods which
he employed were always straightforward and honorable and to build up rather
than to destroy was ever his broad policy. While business success was his in
large measure he never allowed his prosperity to dwarf his kindly nature, and
his life was filled with good deeds.

JAMES L. BAILEY.

Extensive and important are the business interests controlled by James L.
Bailey, who is a stockholder in many of Black Hawk county's most important
commercial, industrial and financial enterprises and who is also, in partnership'
with his brother, engaged in controlling and improving four thousand acres of
farm land in Iowa and in feeding and handling stock extensively. They alsO'
have important property interests in other states. Wide-awake, alert and enter-
prising, they carefully direct their interests, watching all indications pointing

458 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

to success and never fearing to venture where favoring opportunity indicates
the way.

James L. Bailey was born in Baileyville, IlHnois, August 8, 1870, a son of
Ransom and Mary (Dyer) Bailey, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this
volume. Their son, James L. Bailey, attended the high school at Grundy Center
and afterward was a student in Cornell College at Mount A^ernon, Iowa. His
initial business training was received under the direction of his father, with whom
he was associated for some time. In 1897, ^^ partnership with his brother, he
established a hardware store in Cedar Falls and conducted that business until
his father's death in 1905. They then sold out to the Wyth-Johnson & Wyth
Company, who still conduct the business. Since the father's death the brothers
have been active in the management of the estate to which they have succeeded.
They are stockholders in the Cedar Falls National Bank and the First National
Bank at Parkersburg and are identified with various important commercial and
industrial interests in Black Hawk county, being now stockholders in the Water-
loo & Cedar Falls Mill Company, in the Rice & Dayton Manufacturing Company,
in the Black Hawk Oil Company, in the Council & Cowan Lumber Company,
in the Viking Pump Company and in the Cedar Valley District Fair Association.
As Iowa landowners they own and control four thousand acres of farm lands,
the greater part of which is under cultivation, and they also have some farm
property in South Dakota. They now devote considerable time to feeding and
handling stock, conducting this business on an extensive scale. They make feed-
ing their specialty and success is attending their efforts in large measure. They
also conduct some real-estate operations, purchasing land, however, rather for
cultivation than for further sale.

On the 26th of February, 1896, James L. Bailey was united in marriage to
Miss Anna House, who was born in Maquoketa, Iowa, a daughter of Judge
A. J. and Emma (Millard) House, who were natives of Canada. Her father
was born January 12, 1848, and her mother on the ist of April of the same
year. Mr. House has devoted his life to the practice of law and is now serving
on the bench, having recently been reelected and having the highest vote among
ten candidates in his district. His incumbency in the office covers a period of
more than twenty years, a fact which is indicative of the confidence and trust
reposed in him and of his fidelity to the important duties of the office which he
fills. His decisions are strictly fair and impartial, being based both upon the
law and the equity in the case, and he is today recognized as one of the ablest
jurists in his part of the state. His life has been a busy, active and useful one,
and he is prominent in the community in which he makes his home. To Mr.
and Mrs. Bailey the following children were born : Millard, whose natal day was
February 6, 1897; Allen Ransom, born December 9, 1898; Margaret, who was
born September 25, 1900, and died April 6, 1901 ; Carrie, born June 25, 1902 ;
Ralph, February 10, 1904; Joseph Levi, January 25, 1906; Mary Emma, February
7, 1909; and John Richard, October 25, 1912.

In his political views James L. Bailey is a stalwart republican. He has never
sought nor desired political office but in 191 3 was elected president of the school
board of Cedar Falls. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion
and one who is doing efifective work in the interests of the schools. His religious
belief is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and to its teachings he is most

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 459

loyal. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the degrees
of the York Rite, and is now captain general in the Knights Templar commandery.
He also belongs to the Mystic Shrine and has membership in the Modern Wood-
men Camp. His wife is connected with the P. E. O. society. They occupy an
enviable position in the public regard and the hospitality of the best homes of
Cedar Falls and the county is freely accorded them.

SAMUEL O. BAILEY.

The name of Bailey figures conspicuously in connection with business activity
in Black Hawk county because of the extent and importance of the interests of
Samuel O. Bailey and his brother, James L. Bailey, with whom he is associated
in all of his business transactions. His birth occurred December 27, 1872, in
Baileyville, Illinois, and his ancestry in the paternal line is traced back to New
England. Extended mention of the family is given in connection with the sketch
of his father, Ransom Bailey, on another page of this volume.

Samuel O. Bailey attended school at Grundy Center and also was a student
in Cornell College at Mount Vernon. In 1897 he became the partner of his
brother in a hardware business which they conducted with growing success until
the father's death in 1905, when they sold out in order to give their attention
to the management of the large estate which he left to them. They now own
and control four thousand acres. Their farms are highly cultivated and splen-
didly improved, and they make a specialty of the raising and feeding of stock
which they handle in large numbers. Their business interests likewise include
connection with many corporate interests. They are stockholders in the Water-
loo & Cedar Falls Mill Company, in the Rice & Dayton Manufacturing Company,
in the Black Hawk Oil Company, in the Connell & Cowan Lumber Company and
in the Viking Pump Company. They are also stockholders in the Cedar Falls
National Bank, the First National Bank at Parkersburg and in the District Fair
Association and other corporations.

On the 26th of June, 19 12. Mr. Bailey was married to Miss Grace Simpson,
a native of Estherville, Iowa, and a daughter of C. T. and JuHa (Babcock)
Simpson, who are residents of Cedar Falls. Her father is a carpenter and con-
tractor and is still active in business. Mrs. Bailey was the third in order of birth
in their family of five children. She was liberally educated, being a graduate
of the Cedar Falls high school and the Iowa State Teachers College and for a
time she was a successful teacher in the Cedar Falls high school. By her mar-
riage she has one son. Ransom, who was born April 26, 1913.

Mr. Bailey is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to the lodge, chapter
and commandery, and in the last named he has filled all of the chairs, serving
as eminent commander for two years. He Hkewise holds membership with the
Modern Woodmen and the Knights of Pythias, while his wife belongs to the
P. E. O. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the work of
which they contribute generously, taking an active interest in all measures to
further its upbuilding. The efiforts of Samuel O. Bailey have been carefully

460 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

directed along the lines leading to legitimate success. He has that confidence
and courage that come of conscious personal ability, the right conception of
things and an habitual regard for what is best in the exercise of human activities.

G. \\". HAZLETT.

G. \\ . Hazlett is living retired in \Vaterloo. He is a representative of one of
the old pioneer families of the state and has at different times been connected
with agricultural and educational interests as well as with events which have had
to do with shaping the progress and promoting the upbuilding of his county.
His life has indeed been a busy and useful one and his rest is well merited.

A native of Illinois, G. ^^^ Hazlett was born in the town of Lena in 1859 a
son of Hugh and Eliza (Young) Hazlett. The father is now deceased, having
passed away about twelve years ago. In pioneer times he removed with his
family to Iowa and became a prominent factor in the development and upbuilding
of Bremer county. He was widely recognized as a man of sterling worth and of
unmipeachable character. His well known integritv is indicated in the fact that
he served for forty years as township school treasurer without being asked for
a bond. He also filled the office of justice of the peace for nearly a half century
His decisions were always fair and impartial and won golden opinions from all
sorts of people. His widow survives at the advanced age of eighty-four years
and IS yet living upon a farm of two hundred and fortv acres in Bremer county
ot which one hundred and sixty acres was entered bv her husband from the gov-
ernment soon after their arrival in Iowa, and the patent, which is still in pos^ses-
sion ot the family, is signed by General U. S. Grant, who was then president
Ihe lamily shared in all of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life
in that section and lived to witness the notable changes which, have brought the
county to its present condition of progress and prosperity. To Mr. and Mrs
Hazlett were born five children, of whom three are yet living. The eldest is J Y
Hazlett, an active and able member of the bar of Bremer county, who has three
times served as county attorney and is now mavor of Waverlv. The second sur-
viving member of the family is G. A\-. Hazlett of this re^-iew. His younger
brother, L. C. Hazlett, is now agent for the International Harvester Companv at
Grand Forks, North Dakota. He, too, is prominent in the community in which
he resides and has served as mayor of the town.

G. \\\ Hazlett was quite young when his parents left Illinois and came to Iowa
settling on a farm near Tripoli. There Mr. Hazlett was reared and attended the
common schools, completing his education under the tutelage of E. G. Bennett
From his boyhood he proved a valuable assistant to his father in the farm work
and when but twelve years of age was an expert in driving oxen. He was largelv
engaged m handling an ox team in breaking the sod and developing the fields
and as the years passed on his usefulness increased.

Nor was his attention confined alone to efiforts for material advancement
\\ hen but eighteen years of age he was secretary of the Union Sundav school and
did much to further moral advancement in the communitv. \\-hen twentv years
of age he began teaching school and proved a very successful educator, imparting

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 461

readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired. Such was his
efficiency and popularity as an instructor that pupils came from adjoining districts
to receive the benefit of his instruction. When twenty-two years of age he
obtained a first-grade certificate, which he retained during the entire time he
taught school. He continued in that profession until twenty-six years of age and
then purchased a farm in Bremer county, devoting his time to general agricultural
pursuits and stock-raising until he removed to Tripoli. He continued his resi-
dence there for five years before coming to Waterloo and during that period he
served for two terms or four years as mayor of Tripoli, exercising his official
prerogatives in support of many progressive and beneficial public measures. He
also served as assessor of his township and as a member of the board of educa-
tion and he was secretary of the Tripoli Creamery.

In 1884 Mr. Hazlett was united in marriage to Miss Melvina Eisenhart, a
native of Tripoli and a daughter of Eli and Mary (Leaman) Eisenhart, who
removed to the west from York, Pennsylvania, and took up their abode in Tripoli
in 1854. The father was the first merchant in the eastern part of Bremer county,
hauling his goods from Dubuque before there were any bridges over the rivers and
creeks. To ]\Ir. and Mrs. Hazlett have been born three children : Edith, who is
now deputy superintendent of schools in Black Hawk county; Clara, the wife of
Paul S. Duncan, of Virginia City, Montana ; and Ray E., who died at the age of

twelve years.

The mother and daughters are members of the Walnut Street Baptist church
of Waterloo and Mr. Hazlett has membership in Helmet Lodge, K. P., of which
he is a past chancellor, and has also been a member of the grand lodge. He
became a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Tripoli and was its
second chancellor commander. His political allegiance has always been given the
democratic party and he was the party candidate for the office of sheritif of Black
Hawk county. When he was but twenty-four years of age he was the candidate
for clerk of Bremer county, and though there was a normal republican majority
of eight hundred, he succeeded in reducing this to such an extent that he was
defeated by only one hundred and seventy-two votes— a fact which indicated
his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him.

A. H. PONSFORD.

A. H. Ponsford, who devotes his attention to the pursuits of farming and
stock-raising, is the owner of a well improved and valuable property embracing
one hundred'and sixty acres of land on section 27, Mount \'ernon township, part
of which came into possession of the family fifty-six years ago. His birth
occurred in St. John, New Brunswick, in 1849, but in 1857 the family crossed the
border into the United States and took up their abode in Wisconsin. The follow-
ing year they came to Black Hawk county, Iowa, the father purchasing a tract of
land in Mount A^ernon township which he cultivated until his death in 1865. The
mother who survived him for more than two decades, was called to her final
fest in 1887 Seven children were left to mourn her loss and five of the number
survive namelv: Joseph, who is a resident of South Dakota ; Walter P.. livmg ni

462 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Oregon; A. H., of this review; Hattie, who gave her hand in marriage to WilUam
Everett, of Black Hawk county ; and Minnie, who makes her home with our
subject.

A. H. Ponsford, who was a lad of nine years when he came to this county with
his parents, here attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education.
He has always remained at home and when both his father and mother had passed
away took charge of the home place of eighty acres in Mount Vernon township,
which he later purchased and which he has operated continuously and successfully
since. He has brought the property to a high state of cultivation and improvement
and has extended its boundaries by additional purchase until it now embraces one
hundred and sixty acres of land, constituting one of the valuable and productive
farms of the community. It is situated three miles from Waterloo and lies on an
interurban car line. In the conduct of his agricultural interests Mr. Ponsford
has won a gratifying and well deserved measure of prosperity, and he has long-
been numbered among the substantial representative and esteemed citizens of
Black Hawk county.

Mr. Ponsford is a democrat in his political views but not bitterly partisan, his
attitude on all public questions being that of a liberal-minded and public-spirited
citizen. He held the office of township clerk for eight years and has also served
on the school board, ever discharging his public duties in a most commendable
and efficient manner. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the Benev-
olent Protective Order of Elks, while in religious faith he is a Protestant. The
period of his residence in this county covers fifty-six years and he is well entitled
to recognition among its prosperous agriculturists and representative and respected
citizens.

BARNEY H. KASCHT.

Barney H. Kascht is well known in Waterloo because of his long connection
with mercantile interests and his active service in connection with city govern-
ment. He was born in Illinois in 1868 and was only a year old when brought
to Black Hawk county by his parents, William and Margaret (Hostert) Kascht,
who settled on a farm near Gilbertville. There they resided for a long period,
the father busily engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He there remained
until 1890, when he removed to Gilbertville, where his death occurred a year later.
His wife survived him for six years.

Barney H. Kascht was reared upon the home farm with the usual experiences
that fall to the lot of the lad who assists in the work of plowing, planting and
harvesting. He acquired his education in the public schools and when twenty
years of age he left the old homestead and went to Chicago, where he pursued
a two years' course in a business college, thus becoming well equipped for later
duties and responsibilities. He then returned to this county, settling in Waterloo,
where he secured a position with the Smith, Lichty & Hillman Company, whole-
sale grocers, with whom he continued for three years. He then engaged in the
grocery business on his own account and for fifteen years was thus identified with
the trade interests of the city, enjoying a good business as the result of his enter-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 463

prising methods, his reasonable prices and his honorable dealing. At the end of
that time he disposed of his grocery store and has since been connected with the
official life of the city. He is now serving for a second term as assessor. He has
made a good record in office and has received the indorsement of the public.

In 1900 Mr. Kascht was united in marriage to Miss Amy Edelen and to them
have been born two children, Raphael J. and Louise. The religious faith of the
family is that of St. Joseph's Catholic church. Mr. Kascht is a member of the
Commercial Club and Board of Trade and cooperates in all the plans and projects
for the upbuilding and benefit of the city, in which for twenty-four years he has
made his home. He possesses a social nature and genial disposition and has
gained a large circle of warm friends throughout the period of his residence in
Black Hawk county, which covers his entire life save for one year.

LEWIS BRANDES.

Lewis Brandes has lived in Black Hawk county for about four decades and is
widely recognized as one of its substantial agriculturists and representative citi-
zens, owning and operating a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres
on section 33, Mount Vernon township. He devotes his attention to the pursuits
of farming and stock-raising and in both branches of his business is meeting with
well deserved success. His birth occurred in Cook county, Illinois, in 1864, his
parents being Conrad and Lena Brandes, who were born, reared and married in
Germany. In 1857 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took up
their abode in Cook county, Illinois, where the father followed farming until 1876.
In that year he came west to Black Hawk county, Iowa, and here purchased land
which he continued to cultivate throughout the remainder of his life, his demise
occurring in 1904. In his passing the community lost one of its respected citizens
and successful agriculturists. His wife was called to her final rest in 1900. They
became the parents of eight children, the first born, a daughter, being a native of
Germany. The record is as follows: Henry, who is now a resident of Waterloo,
Iowa ; Dora, who is the wife of Charles Paul, of Cedar Falls, Iowa ; Mrs. Minnie
Bartling, of Mount Vernon township, this county; Lewis, of this review; Lena
and Fred, both of whom are deceased ; Annie, who passed away at the age of four
years ; and John, living in Cedar Falls. ,

Lewis Brandes obtained his education in the public schools of Illinois and
Iowa and when twenty-three years of age was married and started out as an
agriculturist on his own account. He first cultivated rented land for five years
and on the expiration of that period bought one hundred and sixty acres of raw
land in Mount Vernon township, which he improved and developed and has oper-
ated continuously to the present time. The property is now in a high state of
cultivation and yields him a gratifying annual income.

In 1887 Mr. Brandes was united in marriage to Miss Annie Beckel, a native
of Cook county, Illinois, and a daughter of William and Charlotte Beckel. both
of whom were born in Germany. They came to Iowa in 1878 and in this state
the father devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits until his demise in
1880. The mother survives and makes her home in Bremer county, Iowa. The

464 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

living children of the family are as follows: Mrs. Annie Brandes ; Mrs. Lena
Beoger ; Mrs. Ricke Nottger ; William ; Henry ; and Mrs. Matilda Sassman. To
Mr. and Mrs. Brandes have been born seven children, namely: Sarah, who is the
wife of Ernest Hamm, a farmer of Mount Vernon township, this county ; and
Herman, Louis H., Bertha, William, Albert and Carl, all at home.

Mr. Brandes is liberal in his political views, always taking into consideration
the fitness of a candidate rather than his party affiliation. He has served as a
member of the school board but has never been an office seeker, having no desire
for the honors and emoluments of public position. Fraternally he is identified
with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his religious faith is indicated by his
membership in the Evangelical church, to which his wife and children also belong.
He is a man of sterling traits of character, reliable in business, progressive in
citizenship and at all times trustworthy and capable.

JOHN ORTNER.

John Ortner, who follows farming in Barclay township, was born at Wells,
in Upper Austria, September 9, 1851, a son of Joseph and Theresa (Koller) Ort-
ner, also natives of Austria, the former born in 1807 and the later in 1810. The
father followed farming in his native country and at length came to the United
States with his family of eight children, settling near Freeport, Illinois, in 1854.
He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, however, for his death occurred
the following year. Upon his widow devolved the care and rearing of her family,
all of whom have become substantial and highly respected citizens of the com-
munities in which they now live. Soon after the father's death the family removed
westward to Iowa, settling in Barclay township, Black Hawk county, where they
purchased land at three dollars per acre. The mother possesesed excellent busi-
ness ability and much sound common sense. She most carefully and wisely
reared her family and was a woman of strong, noble character to whom her
children owe much. She long survived her husband and passed away in this
county in August, 1882. at the advanced age of seventy-two years.

John Ortner was a little lad of but twelve years when brought to Iowa and in
the schools of this state he pursued his education. When but twelve years of age
he drove a herd of eighty-five cattle across the country from Illinois. He spent
the days of his boyhood and youth upon the home farm and assisted in breaking
the sod with a four-yoke ox team. He has always made farming his life work
and as the result of his unfaltering diligence and determination he has gained a
very gratifying measure of success. He is today the owner of one hundred and
forty acres of land, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, his
farm presenting a neat and thrifty appearance. This is devoted to general agri-
cultural pursuits and stock-raising and his work is carried on most methodically
and systematically.

On the 6th of February, 1877. Mr. Ortner was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary
Ann Schneck, who was born in Mendota, Illinois, in 1852, and was called to her
final rest on the i6th of December, 1892. She was the adopted daughter of Jacob
and Eva (Katzenberger) Schneck, both of whom were natives of Germany, the

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 465

former born in Baden and the latter in Bavaria. Mr. Schneck emigrated to the
United States as a young man, settling at Mendota, Illinois, where he embarked
in the coal business. In 1874 he removed to Grundy county, Iowa, and there
became a landowner, but the last years of his life were spent in Nobles county,
Minnesota. Though of somewhat retiring disposition, his worth was recognized
by all with whom he came in contact and he enjoyed the regard and esteem of an
extensive circle of friends. To Mr. and Mrs. Ortner were born the following
children: Margaret Theresa, whose birth occurred on the 9th of December, 1877,
and who passed away August 22, 1894; Andrew Leo, who was born April 19,
1879, and is on the home farm with his father ; Helena Rosalie, born May 8,
1881, who gave her hand in marriage to J. E. Baisch. connected with the Waterloo
Gas & Electric Company, by whom she has one child, Helen ; Mary Saraphine,
the wife of John Belo, a contractor of Jesup, Iowa, by whom she has four chil-
dren— Alva, John, Elizabeth and Arthur ; Mathias, whose natal day was May 20,
1884; Johanna Frances, born May 16, 1888; and Anna and Elizabeth, both of
whom died in infancy.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, to which they
always loyally adhere. In community afifairs Mr. Ortner has always been deeply
and helpfully interested and cooperates in many plans and measures for the
general good. In politics he has ever been a stalwart democrat and was the first
representative of his party elected to office in Barclay township after the war.
When twenty-one years of age he was chosen a school director and filled that
position for twenty-one years. He has held every office in the township and for
one term was a member of the board of county supervisors as the representative
of Fox, Poyner and Barclay townships. He has been correspondent for the
Waterloo papers for a long time and he has a wide acquaintance throughout the
county. He has been most active in the work of St. Francis Catholic church of
Barclay township and he is widely known here, his many sterling traits of char-
acter eainine for him the confidence and good-will of those with whom he has been
brought in contact.

I. E. HARRINGTON.

J. E. Harrington is a well known and successful representative of business
interests in Waterloo as president and general manager of the Waterloo Dredg-
ing Company, Incorporated, having been associated in this connection with
Patrick and Michael Jackman since June, 1909. His birth occurred in Connecticut
in 1877. his parents being Michael and Ellen (Moran) Harrington, both of
whom were natives of Ireland. After coming to the United States they estab-
lished their home in Connecticut, where the father was engaged in the brick
business until his retirement. The mother passed away in 1879, t»ut Michael
Harrington survives and yet makes his home in Connecticut.

I. E. Harrington, who was but two years of age when his mother died,
was reared by his grandparents and acquired his education in the graded schools
of his native state. When nineteen years of age he went to South Bend, Indiana,
and took charge of the construction of a power house in the service of San-

466 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

derson & Porter, hydraulic and electrical engineers of New York city. He
remained with the concern for seven years and during the last four years of
that period acted as superintendent. In 1899 he went to New Orleans, Louis-
iana, to superintend the construction of a sewer which was one of the tirst
installed in that city. This work was done in the service of T. J. Shea of
Quincy, Illinois, by whom Mr. Harrington was employed for three years. On
the expiration of that period he went to Chicago and entered the employ of
the Roberts & Schaefer Company, constructors of railroad coal chutes, remain-
ing with that firm for two and a half years. He then came to Waterloo, Iowa,
and here became associated with the bridge-building firm of Bartlett & Kling,
having charge of the dredge used in excavating material utilized in the con-
struction of the Fifth street bridge. At the end of seven months, when the
bridge was completed, he formed a corporation with I^atrick and Michael Jack-
man in June, 1909, which is known as the Waterloo Dredging Company and of
which he has served as superintendent and general manager to the present
time. They own the only dredge of its kind in the city and are utilizing the
same in excavating material from the river bed for commercial purposes. Mr.
Harrington is one of three equal stockholders in the concern, which maintains
an office at No. 17 18 River street. The corporation owns six acres of busmess
and residence property in Eighmey's addition to W'aterloo. Mr. Harrington
has made steady progress in his business career and by energy, perseverance
and ability has won an enviable measure of prosperity and recognition.

In May, 1905, Mr. Harrington was united in marriage to Miss Eva Murphy,
a native of Momence, Illinois, and a daughter of John 15. Murphy of that city.
Our subject and his wife have one son, Edward J., who was born in March, 19 12.

In his political views Mr. Harrington is a democrat, but does not consider
himself bound by party ties, taking the attitude of a liberal-mmded and public-
spirited citizen on all questions of public moment. During the period of the
Spanish-American war he served for nine months with the Third Connecticut
Volunteer Infantry. Fraternally he is identified with the Eagles, while his
religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church, of which
his wife is also a devout communicant. He is justly entitled to the respect in
which he is held by a host of warm personal friends in the city and county
of his adoption.

PETER J. O'CONNOR.

Peter J. O'Connor is senior partner in the firm of P. J. O'Connor & Sons of
Raymond, engaged in the grain, coal and live-stock business. They also handle
engines, automobiles and farm implements and their patronage has now assumed
extensive and gratifying proportions. Mr. O'Connor is a native of Pennsylvania,
his birth having occurred in Susquehanna county in 1849. His parents, John and
Bridget (Carlin) O'Connor, were natives of Ireland, the father having been born
in County Kerry and the latter in County Mayo. When twenty years of age
John O'Connor bade adieu to the green isle of Erin and crossed the Atlantic to

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 467

the new world. He had previously been employed upon a farm in that country
and after reaching the United States he secured employment in connection with
public works. He labored for a time on the building of the Erie canal and was
engaged in similar work during the period of his residence in Pennsylvania. On
leaving the east he took up his abode in Ogle county, Illinois, but after a short
time there passed came to Black Hawk county in 1853, settling in Cedar town-
ship, where he began farming.

The work of improvement and development had scarcely been begun here, as
is indicated by the fact that it was possible for him to enter government land.
He secured a claim and as the years passed on took a most active and helpful
part in the work of general progress and improvement as well as in the advance-
ment of agricultural interests. There were only three families in the township
at the time of his arrival. His first home was a dugout and later he built a log
cabin. He saw many Indians, who, however, always manifested a friendly
attitude toward the white settlers. Wild game of all kinds was to be had in
abundance and it was no difficult thing for a good shot to readily supply his table
with meat. Mr. O'Connor was one of the prominent men in connection with early
affairs of township and county. He helped organize the township, build schools,
churches and lay out roads. He was truly a pioneer settler in his active assistance
to all measures calculated to develop the district and advance the welfare and
upbuilding of the community. He assisted largely in building the early Catholic
churches and he gave his political allegiance to the democratic party. He was
living in Washburn at the time of his death, which occurred when he was eighty-
four years of age. Prosperity had attended his efforts in large measure and he
had become the owner of six hundred and forty acres of valuable land, on which
he engaged extensively in stock-raising, making a specialty of Durham cattle.

Peter J. O'Connor was the third in order of birth in a family of ten children,
five sons and five daughters. He pursued his early education in one of the old-
time log schoolhouses of Cedar township and afterward he attended college at
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He worked in the fields with his father upon the
old homestead until twenty-eight years of age and then started out in farming
on his own account. He purchased land which he still owns and today his
possessions aggregate three hundred and twenty acres in Black Hawk and Kos-
suth counties. For five years he successfully carried on farming and during that
period also engaged extensively in feeding cattle, which he drove across the state
to Nebraska. At length he embarked in the implement business at Lyons,
Nebraska, conducting his store there for five years. He then turned his attention
to the live-stock business, in which he engaged for two years and on the expira-
tion of that period he returned to Iowa, where he joined his brothers in the
conduct of the grain trade at Washburn. The firm of O'Connor Brothers had
seven elevators and were among the leading grain merchants of this section of the
state. They also dealt quite extensively in live stock. On leaving Washburn,
Peter J. O'Connor came to Raymond, where for the past twenty-three years he
has been engaged in the grain, coal and live-stock business and also sells engines,
automobiles and farm implements. His trade extends over a wide territory and
his sales have increased year by year. He is interested in the Roth Packing Com-
pany of Waterloo and in a bank but devotes the major portion of his tmie to the
management of his business affairs in Raymond. He displays sound judgment

468 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

and keen discrimination and carries forward to successful completion whatever
he undertakes.

Mr. O'Connor was united in marriage to Catherine Zimmer, who was born
m Poyner township, this county, a daughter of Mathias and .Alary Zimmer, the
former a native of Germany and the latter of Ireland. The father came to the
United States when a youth of about seventeen years and. traveling across the
country, finally reached Dubuque, whence he walked to Black Hawk county,
settling in Poyner township, where he always engaged in farming. He was the
owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he converted into a valuable
property, and as the years passed on his well directed activities brought to him a
gratifying measure of success. His political belief was that of the democratic
party and his religious faith that of the Catholic church.

Mrs. O'Connor was the 'third in order of birth in a family of five children
and by her marriage has become the mother of five children, as follows : John,
a graduate of the Waterloo high school and a member of the firm of P. J. O'Connor
& Sons; William, who is also a graduate of the Waterloo high school' and is like-
wise associated with his father in business; Lillian, who is attending school in
Waterloo ; and Joseph and Vivian, both of whom are public-school students. The
family is well known in this section of the state and the members of the house-
hold have a large circle of friends in Raymond and throughout the surrounding
district.

Mr. O'Connor votes with the democratic party and has held some of the town-
.ship offices. He is a Catholic in religious faith and assisted in establishing the
first Catholic church of Raymond. He generously supports the church and does
everything in his power to advance the cause of Catholicism in this district.
Gradually he has worked his way upward in his business connections and is
accounted one of the foremost representatives of commercial activity in Raymond
and Poyner township.

G. W. MORRIS.

G. W. Morris became superintendent of the Black Hawk county farm on the
1st of September, 1912, and has since made a creditable and commendable record
in that position of responsibilty. His birth occurred in Van Buren county, Iowa,
on the 28th of December, 1883, his parents being James H. and Henrietta Mor-
ns, who are likewise natives of that county, both the paternal and maternal grand-
parents of our subject having been pioneers there. James H. Morris is the steward
of the Van Buren county farm, while his wife acts as matron. To them were
born the following children: G. W.. of this review; Ray, who is a resident of
Davis county, Iowa; Retson, the survivor of twins, who is attending school at
Iowa City; Leland A., who acts as superintendent of schools at Gilbert. Iowa:
Ruby, who will complete the high-school course in 1916; Harry, who died in
infancy; and Ralph J., who passed away at the age of one year.

G. W. Morris pursued a high-school course at Milton, Iowa, and subsequently
began farming in Van Buren county, being thus actively engaged until 1907. In
that year he became assistant superintendent of the Van Buren county farm, in

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 469

which position he continued for two and a half years, while subsequently he spent
a short time in a similar capacity at the Wapello county farm near Ottumwa. He
then remained for six months at Burlington, Iowa, and on the ist of September,
1912, was made superintendent of the Black Hawk county farm, in which position
he has served to the present time. His important duties in this connection have
been faithfully and efficiently discharged and the interests intrusted to his care
have been well and wisely guarded.

On the 29th of November, 1905, Mr. Morris was united in marriage to Miss
Ethel Pinnell, a native of Davis county, Iowa, and a daughter of A. J. and Mary
E. Pinnell, who were also born in that county. To them were born seven children,
as follows: WilHam S., who is a resident of Ottumwa, Iowa; Mrs. Ethel Morris;
Alma, who is the wife of E. O. McGee, of Davis county, Iowa; Howard, living
in Scotland county, Missouri ; Lina, who is employed as bookkeeper at the Chero-
kee State Hospital; Leland, a school student at Milton, Iowa; and Florence C,
who died at the age of eighteen months. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have one son,
Everett W., who was born on the 2d of November, 1906, and who is now attending
school. Mrs. Morris pursued a course in music in the imiversity at Mount
Pleasant and taught that art prior to her marriage.

Mr. Morris is a stanch republican in politics but has never sought nor desired
office as a reward for his party fealty. Fraternally he is identified with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, while
his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a public-
spirited, able and progressive young citizen and well deserves the high regard and
esteem in which he is uniformly held.

MELVIN FRANKLIN AREY.

The Iowa State Teachers College easily ranks among the best institutions of
its kind in the country and the men at the head of its departments are not only
scholars but are also men of strong personality and vigorous thought who are able
to tram and develop the power of thuikmg in their students as well as mipart
knowledge Melvin Franklm Arey, the head of the department of natural science,
was born in Hampden, Maine, January 19, 1844, and after completing his prepara-
tory course entered Bowdoin College, from which he was graduated with the
Bachelor of Arts degree in 1867. Three years later the degree of Master ot
Arts was conferred upon him. In his early manhood he decided upon a career
as an educator and for several years taught in public and private schools m Maine
and New Hampshire. The experience thus gained, combined with ^i^ thorough
knowledge of the principles of education and his executive ability, well htted to
for his next position, which was that of supermtendent of schools of Cedar FalR
After four years as head of the schools of that city, or m 1877, he went to Fort
Dodge where for thirteen years he was superintendent

In 1800 Air Arey was made professor of natural science at the Iowa State
Teache^ Mege and is now the head of that department. He understands well
U.e needs of the students, most of whom are to become teachers themselves, ai^
nanshTs courses with the aim of best preparing them for their work. He presents
^ u"^ such a way that he not only enables his students to acquire a

470 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

thorough knowledge concerning the phases of science touched upon, but he also
makes it possible for them to use their knowledge efficiently in their future work
as instructors.

Professor Arey is prominent in educational circles throughout Iowa and has
been secretary of the state educational council for twenty- five years. In 1893 he
was a member of the University of Iowa expedition to the Bahamas and Cuba arid
has served as special assistant in the Iowa geological survey. He is a life mem-
ber of the state horticultural society, belongs to the state park and forestry asso-
ciation and the National Science Association. His high scholarship in his student
days won him election to Phi Beta Kappa, and his keen mind and scientific spirit
have enabled him to accomplish much in the educational w'orld.

Professor Arey was married on the i6th of May, 1869, at Hampden, Maine,
to Miss Louise H. Smith. His political belief is that of the republican party and
he ha§ taken considerable interest in local government and since 1899 has served
as a member of the city council, with the exception of one year. He is a memoer
of the Iowa Academy of Science and in 1905 he was its president. His religious
adherence is given to the Methodist church and he takes an active part in its work.
In 1862 and 1863 he was a member of the Twenty-second Regiment of Maine
Volunteers and rose from the rank of private to that of corporal. He has never
ceased to feel a deep interest in the Civil war period and as a member of the Grand
Army of the Republic enjoys keeping up the associations of those days. As a
teacher of teachers his influence is of a nature that cannot be calculated, but it
is far-reaching and effective and he has contributed in a large measure to the
development of intellectual and moral life of his adopted state.

CHARLES FAY.

Charles Fay is a well known real estate dealer of Waterloo, largely specializ-
ing in handling farm lands of this county and of Iowa. He is a native son of
Minnesota, born in 1862, his parents being Randall and Lois (Scott) Fay, who
in the year 1865 came with their family to Iowa, settling in Hamilton county
among the pioneers. The father homesteaded his first land at a time when
his nearest neighbor was live miles distant and he thus became actively identi-
fied with the early development and upbuilding of the county. As his financial
resources increased he afterward purchased other land until he was the owner
of a fine farm w^hich he developed and improved, making it a valuable property.
He died in the year 1891 and for eleven years was survived by his wife, who
passed away in 1902. In their family were three children: Anna, who is the
wife of D. E. Hurd, who resides at Collegeport, Texas, and is a landholder
of North Dakota; Oscar D., now living in Missouri; and Charles, of this review.

The last named acquired his education in the country schools of Hamilton
county, this state, to which his parents removed with their family when he was
but three years of age. Through the vacation periods he worked in the fields
and thus assisted his father until twenty-one years of age, w'hen he went to
South Dakota and homesteaded land in Miner county. There he lived for
four years, at the end of which time he sold out and removed to Dickinson

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 471

county, Iowa. There he purchased land and carried on general agricultural
pursuits for five years. In the meantime he bought three other quarter sections,
for which he paid from six to ten dollars per acre, and a few years later, at
intervals, he sold his land for an average of forty dollars per acre. As time
passed he made more of a specialty of real estate than farming and in 1901,
he came to Waterloo, where he opened a real estate office, since which time
he has given his attention to handling farm lands in Iowa. He buys and sells
much property in this county and at all tmies has a large number of farms for
disposal to satisfy his possible customers. He principally handles land of his
own, conducting but few property transfers on the commission basis. He is
today one of the foremost real estate men of Waterloo and has always con-
centrated his energies upon the management of property in this state. He
owns a flat building in W^aterloo at the corner of Fremont and Vine streets and
has several vacant lots.

In 1886 Mr. Fay was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Taylor, who was
born in Hardin county, Iowa, a daughter of Mahlon and Elizabeth (Leply)
Taylor, who were early settlers of Hardin county, arriving there in 1851. The
father is still living there at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, while the
mother passed away in 1902. In their family were five children: Joseph, a
resident of Hardm county; Ludema, the wife of Adelbert Dyke, of Estherville,
Iowa ; Alice, the wife of Harvey Williams, of Eldora, Iowa ; Mrs. Fay ; and
Mrs. Mark West, of Mason City, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Fay have been born
two children : Ethel, now the wife of J. M. Davis, who is with the Inter-
national Harvester Company at Mason City, Iowa; and Berta, the wife of
fames Zeeryp, who is with the Otis Elevator Company in New York city.

Mr. Fay belongs to the Knights of Pythias and his wife holds member-
ship with the Pythian Sisters. While he usually votes with the republican
party, he is liberal in his views and casts his ballot according to the dictates
of his judgment regarding the needs of the situation. He and his family are
of the Universalist faith. Mr. Fay has practically spent his entire life in this
state and there are few better qualified to speak concerning farm properties m
Iowa, for he has studied the situation thoroughly, knows the value of the soil
in different sections of the state and is thus able to advise his clients and assist
them in making judicious investments.

PROFESSOR BRUCE FRANCIS.

Professor Bruce Francis, the efficient superintendent of the Cedar Falls city
schools, well known as one of the ablest educators of this section of the state,
was born in Madison county, Iowa, February 20, 1865, a son of Washington
and Catherine (Newman) Francis, the former a native of Ohio and the latter
of Indiana. They came to Iowa prior to their marriage, the mother making the
journey to this state with her parents in her girlhood, while the father came as
a young man with two of his brothers. They took up government land in Madi-
son county, near Earlham, and a part of the town of Earlham has been built
upon a portion of the land which the brothers entered. The parents of Professor

Vol. n— 26

472 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY '

Francis are still living, spending the winter seasons in California, while the
remainder of their time is divided among their children.

Professor Francis was educated in the public schools and in the State Teach-
ers' College of Cedar Falls, from which he was graduated in 1891 with the degree
of Master of Didactics. He afterward entered the State University at Iowa City
and completed his course there by graduation in 1896, at which time the Ph. B.
degree was conferred upon him. Subsequently he took up post-graduate work
in the University of Chicago, where he studied in the summers of 1913 and 1914.
On completing his course in the State Teachers' College in 1891 he turned his
attention to the profession of teaching, becoming principal of the schools of
Dexter, Iowa, and subsequently he was called to the superintendency of the
schools at Montezuma. For seven years he acted as superintendent of schools
at Williamsburg, Iowa, and then went to Mount Pleasant, where he remained
as the efficient and popular superintendent for three years. At the end of that
time he was called to become superintendent of the public schools of Washing-
ton, Iowa, and a year later, or in 1909, he was offered the superintendency of
the schools of Cedar Falls, where he has since remained. His work has been
highly satisfactory and he occupies an enviable position among the able edu-
cators representing the public-school system of the state.

In 1892 Professor Francis was united in marriage to Miss Ella Flater, of
Bennett, Cedar county, Iowa, who is a graduate of the Iowa State Teachers'
College of the class of 1892. To them have been born five children, as follows :
Dorothy, who is the wife of Owen Parsons and resides in Montana; Helen and
Harold, both attending the Iowa State Teachers' College ; Catherine, a high-school
student; and Donald, who is in the eighth grade. The three older children are
graduates of the Cedar Falls high school.

Professor Francis is a member of the State Teachers' Association and he
assists the State Teachers' College in its summer training work, having been
made a member of the faculty. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and
he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Professor
Francis serving on the official board. His aid and influence are ever given on
the side of progress, advancement and improvement and association with him
means expansion and elevation. He has been a close student of the great sociologi-
cal, political and economic problems of the day and in his professional career he
has ever endeavored to make his work a factor in the thorough training of the
young in preparation for life's responsibilities and duties.

JOHN H. HOGAN.

John H. Hogan is a resident farmer of Fox township, where an excellent
property of two hundred and forty acres pays tribute to his care and cultiva-
tion. He makes stock raising one of the principal features of his business and
has become widely known in this connection. He was born in Winnebago
county, Illinois, in 1864, a son of John and Ann (Mullin) Hogan, both of
whom were natives of County Tipperary, Ireland, the former born in 1829 and

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 473

the latter in 1826. The father died in 1913, but the mother is still living on the
old homestead in Lester township, this county.

In Ireland John Hogan was a jobber or dealer in cattle, taking cattle from
one fair to another and making his sales on those ocasions. In 1852 he crossed
the Atlantic to the United States and made his way direct to Illinois, where
he followed farming until 1865. He then came to Iowa and established his
home in Lester township. Black Hawk county. He found an undeveloped and
unimproved district. The conditions of pioneer life here existed and the work
of progress and improvement seemed scarcely begun. There were only two
stores in Waterloo and only here and there over the county was a settler who
with courageous spirit was meeting the hardships of frontier life in order to
secure a home. John Hogan broke the sod with an ox team and as the years
passed on continued his farm work, sharing in all the privations of pioneer
life but overcoming difficulties and obstacles as the years passed on until at the
time of his death he was numbered among the men of affluence in the county,
owning and cultivating four hundred acres of land. He assisted in building the
first church in Barclay township and was interested in the development and
upbuilding of the county along many lines. His religious faith was that of
the Catholic church and his political belief was that of the democratic party.

John H. Hogan was the third in order of birth in a family of seven children.
He was reared amid pioneer conditions, being but a year old when brought
to Iowa. He conned his lessons while sitting on the bench in a granary which
was used as a schoolhouse and later he continued his education in the first
schoolhouse built in the township. He walked four miles in order to attend
school. He was, however, ambitious to advance along intellectual lines and
made good use of his time and opportunities. Through the summer months
he worked in the fields, assisting his father in the development and cultivation
of the old home farm, so that he was well qualified to carry on work along that
line when he started out in business on his own account. When nineteen years
of age he began working as a farm hand and was thus employed to the age
of twenty-five years. He then married and settled upon a rented farm, culti-
vating leased land for ten years. In 1899 he removed to Fox township and is
now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land which
returns to him a gratifying annual income derived from the sale of the large
crops which he gathers yearly. His home is an attractive residence. There is
a good barn thirty-six by eighty feet, and all of the other modern equipments
and accessories of the model farm of the twentieth century. He makes stock
raising an important feature of his business and keeps on hand a good herd of
Hereford cattle and also many head of Duroc-Jersey hogs, feeding and shipping
stock. He also raises Percheron horses and is regarded as one of the leading
stockmen of his township.

In 1889 Mr. Hogan was united in marriage to Miss Susan Gibbons, a native
of Black Hawk county, Iowa, and a daughter of James and Anna (Wade)
Gibbons. A sketch of the father, a retired agriculturist residing in Jesup, appears
on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Hogan are the parents of eight
children, as follows: Leo, who is still on the home farm; Minnie, a graduate
of the Waterloo Business College, who is the wife of George Gragy, interested
in the Model Laundry of Waterloo, by whom she has one child, Lloyd ; Bertha,

474 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

who is employed in Dr. Truatt's office in Waterloo; and Ray, Alice, Hattie,
John, Jr., and Josephine, all at home.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr.
Hogan contributes generously to its support. His political views are in accord
with the principles of the democratic party and in 1914 he was elected a town-
ship trustee. He has also held other local offices. He is a very popular man,
having social qualities which have won for him high regard and the enduring
friendship of many with whom he has been brought in contact. He deserves
much credit for what he has accomplished, for as the years have passed his
business affairs have been most carefully and systematically conducted and he is
today the owner of one of the fine farms of the county.

PHILIP PINT.

Philip Pint is a resident farmer of Poyner township, owning and culti-
vating a good tract of land on section 26, not far from Gilbertville. He is a
native son of Black Hawk county, his birth having occurred in Fox township
in 1872, his parents being Leonard and Mary (Gilley) Pint. The father was
born in Germany, in 1837, and the mother was born in Luxemburg. Leonard
Pmt was a farm hand in his native country and, thinking to enjoy better busi-
ness opportunities in the new worid. he crossed the Atlantic to the United States
about 1862. He did not tarry on the eastern coast, but made his way at once
into the interior of the country. For a short period he resided in Illinois and
then came to Black Hawk county. He went to California, but after a little
time returned to the middle west and in this county was married and began
farmnig. He established his home in Poyner township and was the owner of
three hundred and fifteen acres of land, which was in his possession for a
third of a century. In connection with general farming he carried on stock-
raising and both branches of his business were attended with prosperity. About
fourteen years prior to his death he removed to Gilbertville, where he lived
retired until called to his final rest in the year 1913. His religious faith was
that of the Catholic church and his political belief that of the democratic party.
He was one of the foremost citizens of his township and exerted a strongly
felt and beneficial influence on public thought and action. His widow survives
and is now living with her son Philip.

In a family of eight children. Philip Pint was the fourth in order of birth.
He attended the district schools, for there was no parochial school in Gilbert-
ville durnig his boyhood. He assisted his father in the work of the home farm
and remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age. He then
began teaming in Gilbertville, following that pursuit for a year, at the end of
which time he was married and took up the occupation of farming in Fox town-
ship. A year later he purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land in Spring
Creek township and cultivated that place for two years. He then established
a general mercantile store in Gilbertville. but his establishment was destroyed
by fire and he did not again engage in merchandising in this county. He removed
instead to Sumner. Bremer county, Iowa, where he conducted a saloon for seven

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 475

years and at the expiration of that period he resumed farming near jesup, Iowa.
For the past six years he has Hved on the old homestead, where he carries on
general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. His place is well developed and
improved and its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the careful and practical
supervision of the owner. He is likewise a stockholder in the creamery com-
pany but devotes the most of his attention to the farm and its further im-
provement.

In 1897 ^^r. Pint w-as united in marriage to Miss Barbara Neises, a native
of Illinois and a daughter of Frank and Margaret (Krink) Neises, both of
whom were natives of Germany, born near Ketch. The father is still living
in this county at the age of seventy-five years. He came to the United States
when about twenty-eight years of age and established his home in Illinois, where
he worked in a stone quarry but later turned his attention to farming. About
thirty-four years ago he came to Black Hawk county and during his residence
here has always been a landowner. He is recognized as one of the stalwart and
substantial citizens of the district. Mr. and Mrs. Pint have four children,
namely : Edela, Pearl, Magdaline and Gerald. The religious faith of the family
is that of the CathoHc church and Mr. Pint holds membership with the Catholic
Order of Foresters. Much of his life has been spent in this county and he
has worked persistently and energetically to attain the success which is now his.

MATHIAS DEMUTH.

Mathias Demuth is a representative farmer of Fox township and one of the
present county supervisors, representing Poyner, Fox and Barclay townships
on the county board. He was born in Will county, Illinois, in 1865. He is a
son of John and Mary (Schmars) Demuth, both of whom were natives of
Germany, the former born in 1836 and the latter in 1848. When twenty-five
years of age John Demuth came to the United States. He had been reared
to the occupation of farming during the period of his youth, spent in Luxem-
burg, and he again followed agricultural pursuits after coming to the new world.
He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast, but made his way at once to Joliet,
Illinois, and spent his remaining days in Will county. He owned lands there
and also bought land in Iowa, but never removed to this state. He was very
retiring in disposition, quiet and unassuming, but his genuine worth was recog-
nized by those with whom he came in contact.

Mathias Demuth attended the country schools of Will county and through
the period of boyhood and youth lived with his parents upon the home farm,
<riving his father the benefit of his services until he reached the age of twenty-
two He then came to Black Hawk county and here began farmmg, first m
the employ of others and later as a renter, while today he is the owner of
a valuable property of two hundred and fortv acres upon which good improve-
ments have been made. He has devoted his entire life to farmmg, save for
one year when he was employed in the general store of H. E. Nemmers at
Gilbertville. Owing to the death of his wife he retired from farm life in
1908 but in 1913 resumed the active work of the fields, and now devotes all

476 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

of his time to his farm. Indolence and idleness have ever been utterly foreign
to his nature and he could not content himself without some occupation. For
five years he was a director of the Black Hawk County Mutual Insurance Com-
pany, but is not connected with that organization at the present time.

Mr. Demuth was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Heinen, a native of
this county and a daughter of Valentine and Anna (Marx) Heinen, both of
whom were natives of Germany, born near Trier. After their marriage they
came to the United States and made their way westward to Black Hawk county,
where they took up their abode in the early '60s. The father was a sub-
stantial man of affairs and became the owner of large property holdino-s in
Spring Creek township. His religious belief was that of the Catholic church.
Mr. and Mrs. Demuth had five children: Ida, John V., Frank L., Margaret
and William, all at home.

The family also adhere to the Catholic faith and Mr. Demuth gives his
poHtical allegiance to the democratic party, in the ranks of which he is an
active, earnest worker. He has held all of the township offices and for two
terms has served as county supervisor, representing Poyner, Fox and Barclay
townships. His record in office is highl>- commendable, as it indicates his fidelity
to the interests intrusted to his care and his devotion to the public welfare.
The greater part of his life has been spent in Black Hawk county and his
fellow townsmen recognize in him a self-made man who has worked his way
steadily upward through persistency of purpose and intelligently directed effort.'

F. E. DE MOTT.

F. E. De Mott is president of the Waterloo Chemical Works, owning and
operating four plants, one located at Freeport, Illinois, another at Sioux City,
Iowa, a third at Cedar Falls, Iowa, and the fourth at Waterloo. The business
was organized in 1907 and has enjoyed continuous growth since that time, the
success of the enterprise being attributable in large measure to Mr. De Mott,
who remains at the head of the business. Each step in his business career
has been a forward one, bringing him a broader outlook and wider oppor-
tunities. He has the ability to correctly judge of his own capacities and powers
and of those things which go to make up life's contacts and experiences, and
he ranks today among the representative and honored business men of Black
Hawk county. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1877, and is a son of Adelbert
and Annie (Hubbell) De Mott, the latter a sister of Joseph Hubbcll, who was
elected a member of the lower house of the state legislature and served in that
capacity until his death, which occurred in 1904. He was connected with much
constructive legislation and left the impress of his individuality upon the laws
enacted during the period of his association with the assembly.

F. E. De Mott was but a young lad when brought by hs parents to Iowa
He acquired his education in the State Normal College and afterward took up
the profession of teaching, which he followed at Metz, Indiana. He received
his professional training in the Angola College at Angola, Indiana, and in the
loledo Medical College. He afterward went upon the road, traveling for a

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 477

New York chemical house and also for the Clinton Drug Company of Clinton,
Iowa. He then carne to Waterloo and was instrumental in establishing the
present business which is conducted under the name of the Waterloo Chemical
Works. The company was organized in 1907 and the original plant was at
Waterloo. Since that time the business has constantly and steadily increased
and they now have four plants, the others being located at Freeport, Illinois,
and at Sioux City and Cedar Falls, Iowa. They are engaged in the manu-
facture of heavy chemicals from crude petroleum and oils. They manufacture
all the by products and their output finds a ready and profitable sale. They
have learned in manufacture to produce maximum result at a minimum expendi-
ture of time, labor and material, which is the secret of all success in business.
The company is capitalized for fifty thousand dollars, in addition to which there
is an emergency reserve. The present officers of the company are : F. E.
De Mott, president; James Rickert, secretary and treasurer; John P. Miller,
vice president; M. J. Brown, director; and C. J. Miller, also a director. All
of these gentlemen are residents of Waterloo save the last named, who lives
in Jesup, Iowa. From the beginning the new enterprise has grown and developed
and is today one of the important productive industries of Waterloo.

Mr. De Mott is also one of the directors of the Commercial Club and Board
of Trade of Waterloo, an organization which is seeking to further the business
development of the city. He is a stockholder in the Security Savings Bank of
Waterloo and owns considerable real estate in Cedar Falls, including both busi-
ness and residence property. Mr. De Mott is well known in business circles in
various sections of the state and was very active in effecting the organization
of the Iowa State Manufacturers' Association. He was also one of the organ-
izers of the Credit Men's Association of Waterloo, and in these connections
he does all in his power to better business conditions and extend the trade
connections of the city. His poHtical allegiance is given the republican party,
but while he is active in its support, he does not seek or desire pubhc office,
leaving that to others. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and has passed
through all of the chairs in the different branches of Masonry. He is likewise
connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Public-spirited, he
does everything in his power to further Waterloo's welfare and he has been a
close student of many vital civic problems and situations. He was one of the
active organizers of Waterloo's municipal bath house and to the project was a
liberal donator. He has been equally generous to other public activities and
measures and his worth as a citizen is widely acknowledged.

JACOB SCHMITZ.

Jacob Schmitz, living in Gilbertville, was formerly identified with farming
interests but has now retired from agricultural life and is engaged in the manu-
facture of cement blocks. Black Hawk county numbers him among her native
sons his birth having occurred in 1876. He attended the common schools and
remained at home until twenty-three years of age, the usual experiences of the
farm lad falling to his lot during the period of his boyhod and youth. Two years

478 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

after he had attained his majority he started out in the business world on his own
account by purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of land in Fox township
which he still owns. He employed progressive methods in his farm work and
was accounted one of the leading agriculturists of his township up to the time
when he retired from that line of activity. In the meantime he had added to his
original holdings and is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of good
land from which he still derives a substantial annual income. While livino- on
that place he devoted his attention to general farming and stock-raising When
he left the farm he took up his abode in Gilbertville, where he is now engaged
m the manufacture of cement blocks, although he still gives general supervision to
his farm. His manufacturing interests are growing in importance and his trade
is increasing year by year. He follows modern methods in manufacture and his
output IS of such a quality that his continued success is assured. He is also the
owner of stock in the German Savings Bank.

Mr. Schmitz married Miss Margaret Fischels, who was born in Trier Ger-
many, m 1878, and died in 1910. She was a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth
(Brick) Fischels, who were also natives of Germany, the former born in 1844
and the latter in 1849. They are now living at Gilbertville. In his native country
Mr. Fischels worked as a farm hand. Coming to America, he has lived for the
past thirty-seven years in this county. He made his way direct to Fox township
and became the owner of a farm of one hundred and twenty acres which he care-
fuly and systematically cultivated, so that substantial harvests have been gathered
year after year. He is now living practically retired in Gilbertville but still
supervises his farm and is a stockholder in the bank of Gilbertville. He votes
with the democratic party and is a communicant of the Catholic church In his
family were six children, of whom .Mrs. Schmitz was the third in order of birth
To Mr. and Mrs. Schmitz were born seven children, namely : Elizabeth • Hildegard
who passed away when four years old ; Louis ; Leonard ; Mary • George • and
Herbert.

The family attend the Catholic church and Mr. Schmitz belongs to the St
Lawrence Society of Gilbertville. He was the second one baptized in Father
Nemmers' church at Gilbertville and he has ever been generous in support of the
church and the various branches of its work. His political indorsement is given
the democratic party but he never seeks nor desires office. He leads a busy life
and his close application, energy and unfaltering determination have constituted
the foundation upon which he has builded his growing success. He is now well
known m his town and county and has many warm friends who entertain for him
high regard.

STANLEY D. MOORE.

Stanley D. Moore is associated with various corporate interests in Waterloo
and IS well qualified for the position of leadership which he occupies in business
circles for he has made good use of his time, talents and opportunities as the
years have gone on and his powers have grown through the exercise of effort
while his outlook has constantly broadened as he has taken each step forward

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 479

He is now vice president and secretary of the firm of Moore & Moore, Incor-
porated, is president of the Black Hawk Construction Company, president of
the Moore- Sieg Construction Company, and is a stockholder in a number of
important enterprises in Waterloo. He has made for himself a creditable and
enviable place in the business circles of this city, where he has been numbered
as a resident since 1905. His birth occurred in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1880, his
father being M. H. Moore, deceased, who spent his youthful days in Vermont
and on leaving New England removed to Columbus, Ohio. He was well known
as an able educator and was superintendent of the schools at Columbus. After
living there for some years he came to Waterloo in 1856 and was one of the
city's most prominent residents in an early day. He served as superintendent
of the schools of Waterloo for a number of years and aided in placing the
school system upon a very substantial basis, giving impetus to the work which
has since been carried on. He was likewise connected with manufacturing
interests and with other business concerns, becoming one of the organizers and
first stockholders of the First Bank of Waterloo, known as the First National
Bank. It was established, however, as a private bank and Mr. Moore became
its first president. Thus along many lines he was closely and actively associated
with the business development of the city so that his name is inseparably inter-
woven with its progress.

Stanley D. Moore was born in Dubuque in 1880 and was there reared and
educated, spending his youthful days in a home of culture and refinement. Well
descended and well bred, he had early advantages which developed in him
qualities which have ever commanded respect and confidence through all the
later years. W^hen he started out in life on his own account he became
connected with the lumber trade in Marshalltown, Iowa, where he remained
for seven years, and on leaving that place he removed to Waterloo. Here he
made his headquarters for a time, but afterward went to the Pacific coast,
where he was engaged in the construction business. Since 1905, however,
Waterloo has been his permanent abode. Here he continued in the construction
business and also in the lumber trade, being one of the partners in the firm
of Moore & Moore, Incorporated, which company owns lumber yards on East
Fourth street and has its main office in the Lafayette building. While they
conduct a general construction business they give much of their attention to
the building of sewers, waterworks and municipal works. They operate exten-
sively along these lines in Minnesota. South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska, em-
ploying a large force of workmen and conducting a business of very substantial
proportions. Mr. Moore is thoroughly acquainted with every phase of the
business, understanding accurately the scientific principles that underlie the
work as well as all of the practical elements which are involved in construction
work of the character to which the company largely directs its energies.

On the loth of November, 1909, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss
Ruth Battle, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and they now have one daughter, Mar-
<raret. Mr. Moore belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and
to the Commercial Club and Board of Trade, of which he was the president
in 1913. He is prominent as a man whose constantly expanding powers have
taken him from humble business connections to the field of large enterprise
and constantly broadening opportunities. He has ever brought to bear upon

480 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

the situation a clear understanding that readily solves complex problems and
unites into a harmonious whole unrelated and seemingly diverse interests. His
judgment is sound, his enterprise unfaltering and his business has ever balanced
up with the principles of truth and honor.

JAMES GIBBONS.

James Gibbons is a retired farmer residing at Jesup and is the oldest living
settler of Barclay township, having now passed the ninetieth milestone on life's
journey. No history of Black Hawk county would be complete without mention
of this venerable citizen. He was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, on the
15th of August, 1824, his parents being Patrick and Sarah (Loughan) Gibbons,
both of whom lived to a ripe old age. The father was a farmer by occupation
and never came to the United States.

James Gibbons attended the common schools of his native country and in
the year 1847 bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for America.
He settled first in Rhode Island, where he engaged in farm work for two years.
He was afterward employed in connection with railroad building at a period
when a railroad was but of short length, there being two lines in Rhode Island.
He continued to make his home in that state and in Connecticut and in other
eastern states until 1850, when he sought a home in the middle west, removing
to Wisconsin. He found pioneer conditions there and aided in bringing about
present-day improvement in the thirteen years of his residence in that state.
He then drove across the coimtry with team and wagon to Iowa, accompanied
by his family of eleven children. Barclay township was his destination and
at the end of his journey he purchased land at six and a half dollars per acre.
This was in 1863, at which time there were only five houses in the township.
The land that came into his possession was raw prairie on which not a furrow
had been turned nor an improvement made. With characteristic energy, how-
ever, he began to develop a farm and in the course of years his place, having
been converted into productive fields, was yielding to him rich returns in good
harvests. His farm comprises one hundred and fifty acres of land. From
the beginning he engaged in stock raising and kept improving the grade of his
stock by buying thoroughbred animals. For many years he continued one of
the active and representative farmers of the community, but during the past
nine years has lived retired with his wife in Jesup. He continued active in
business, however, long after most men put aside active work and his life has
been a very busy and useful one.

Mr. Gibbons was united in marriage to Miss Anna Wade, a native of Ros-
common county, Ireland, and a daughter of Michael and Mary (Rodgers) Wade.
Her father was a freeholder, owning lands and having the right of franchise.
He died in Ireland when a young man and his widow afterward came to the
United States, living in Brooklyn, New York, where she reared her family. To
Mr. and Mrs. Gibbons have been born fourteen children, some of whom died
in infancy. The record of the others is as follows : Sister Mary Omar, who
is in the convent at Sioux City, Iowa ; Father James Gibbons, a parish priest

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 481

in Denver, Colorado, who was for twenty-seven years a priest at Leadville,
traveled in Ireland and is the author of an Irish story entitled The Croppie's
Retreat; Michael, a farmer owning land near Kingsley, Iowa, who is married
and has seven children ; Sarah ; Anna, who is deceased ; Ella, who gave her hand
in marriage to James Farrell, an agriculturist of Michigan, by whom she has
four children; Susan, who is the wife of J. H. Hogan and has eight children;
Josephine, the deceased wife of Mr. Patterfield, of Waterloo, by whom she
had five children ; Henry ; John, who follows farming in Buchanan county, Iowa,
and has four children ; Peter Edward, who has passed away ; and Omar. Mr.
and Mrs. Gibbons also have thirty-eight grandchildren and two great-grand-
children.

Mr. Gibbons has long voted with the democratic party, but has no political
aspirations. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church. He is very
active for one of his age and possesses a good memory. He relates in interesting
manner many events of the early days in the county, and when he was active
and mingled among men he was very popular. He yet has many warm friends
in the county and he is today honored as Barclay township's most venerable
citizen.

MARTIN HENRY MOORE.

No history of Waterloo would be complete and satisfactory were there failure
to make prominent reference to Martin Henry Moore, who was one of the early
pioneer residents of this city and a most prominent business man, aiding in laying
the broad and deep foundation upon which rests the present prosperity of city
and county. He was one of New England's native sons, his birth having occurred
at Dummerston, Vermont, on the 15th of March, 1829. He was liberally edu-
cated, supplementing his public-school course by study in Williams College, from
which he was graduated in 1854 on the completion of the classical course, winning
the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered upon the profession of teaching
and his ability won him high rank in that profession. On leaving New England
he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he accepted the principalship of the schools
of that city, remaining there during the years 1855 and 1856. He then came to
Waterloo and for several years was superintendent of the schools of this city and
county and also county surveyor. Not long after his arrival he also engaged in
the banking business, becoming a member of the firm of Ward, Bryan, Moore &
Company, which conducted a private bank. The firm was in existence for about
two years when Mr. Moore disposed of his interests and after a few months
turned his attention to the lumber trade, establishing several mills near Waterloo
and Cedar Falls, which he conducted until the year 1865. One of these still exists
as the present Nauman Company. He was a man of determined purpose and
carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. He'enjoyed
to the fullest extent the high regard and confidence of his fellow townsmen in
Waterloo and it was with deep regret that they learned of his decision to remove to
Dubuque in 1865. Mr. Moore, however, was the first president of the first
National Bank of Waterloo and while a resident of the city he hved m a comfort-

482 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

able home where the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific freight depot now stands,
at the corner of West Second and Cedar streets, facing on the placid and
picturesque Cedar river, about two blocks above the present mill dam. He was
one of the best and the most progressive of the early residents of Black Hawk
county and not only largely furthered business interests but was also well known
for his wide charity that prompted his ready assistance to anyone in need.

Mr. Moore was married in Dubuque in 1856, at which time Miss Matilda P.
Wheeler became his wife. She died in August, 1871, and on the 25th of May,
1876, at French Creek, he was again married, his second union being with Eliza-
beth H. Radcliffe. His family numbered two sons and three daughters, A. A.,
Stanley, Kate, Annette, and ■Mrs. F. A. Post, of Le Mars, Iowa.

Mr. Moore spent his last days in Marshalltown and there passed away in 1904,
his death resulting from injuries sustained in a street car accident a short time
before. He had been a resident of Iowa for many years and in Waterloo, in
Dubuque and in Marshalltown was remembered as a most valuable and worthy
citizen. He was a man of strong mentality and association w'ith him meant expan-
sion and elevation. He wisely used the talents with which nature endowed him,
made good use of his time and opportunities and as the years passed on left the
impress of his individuality for good upon the history of the state.

NICHOLAS SCH^IITZ.

Nicholas Schmitz is the proprietor of the Evergreen Stock Farm and is widely
and favorably known as a leading stockman and farmer of Fox township. He
was born near his present home, in 1864, and is a son of Jacob and Katrina (W'el-
ter) Schmitz, both of whom were natives of Baden, (iermany, the former born
in 1834 and the latter in 1839. They came to the United States in 1858. Mr.
Schmitz sailed for New Orleans and after leaving the Crescent City made his way
up the river to Dubuque, whence he traveled overland to Black Hawk county.
He found here a tract of wild prairie practically unbroken, the work of develop-
ment and improvement having scarcely been begun. He began to Ijreak the sod
with ox teams, having purchased land at four dollars per acre. In the course of
time the work of the plow and the harrow were seen in well developed field?
which grew in value as the years passed on, owing to the rapid settlement of the
county, creating a demand for property, and also owing to the many improvements
which he placed upon his land. As his financial resources increased he added
to his original holdings until his property interests aggregated six hundred and
forty acres. He continued to live upon his farm until his death, which occurred
in 1900. His widow still survives and now occupies a beautiful and attractive
home in Gilbertville which would be a credit to a city of the size of Waterloo.
His political allegiance was given the democratic party and he was an active
member of the Catholic church. He had a Avide and favorable acquaintance and
was popular among his many friends.

Nicholas Schmitz attended school in Gilbertville and in Fox township and
through the period of his boyhood and youth he was trained to the work of the
farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 483

for the crops. At the time of his marriage his father gave him a tract of land
until he is now the owner of four hundred and twenty acres of very fine farm
to which he has added from time to time as his financial resources permitted
gratifying and desirable financial return. He also has other business interests,
land. He feeds and raises Hereford cattle and is also extensively engaged in
raising Duroc Jersey hogs, his annual sales of stock bringing to him a very
being a stockholder in the German Savings Bank at Gilbertville and in the cream-
ery company.

In 1888 Mr. Schmitz was joined in wedlock to Miss Margaret Kayser, a native
of Buchanan county, Iowa, and a daughter of Gilliuame and Susan (Keitges)
Kayser, who were born in Germany and now reside at Independence, Iowa. They
emigrated to the United States after their marriage and took up their abode in
Buchanan county, Iowa, where Mr. Kayser is widely recognized as a popular
citizen and substantial agriculturist, owning two hundred and forty acres of
valuable land. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitz are the parents of eight children, as fol-
lows : Susan, who is the wife of Michael Jungen, a farmer of Fox township,
by whom she has two children, Michael and Arnold ; Leo ; Cecelia ; Alfred ;
Agnes ; Rosella ; Aloysious and Anthony,

The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Schmitz
holds membership in the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Association. His
has been an active life crowned not only with substantial success but also with the
regard and good- will of his fellowmen. The Evergreen Stock Farm is the visible
evidence of his thrift and intelligently directed effort. Advancing steadily as the
years have gone by, he is now numbered among the men of affluence in his com-
munity and his worth is widely acknowledged by a circle of friends that is almost
coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.

ROBERT G. MUSSETT.

Robert G. Mussett devoted almost sixty years of his life to boiler making, in
which connection he was well known as a representative of manufacturing and
industrial interests in Waterloo for a considerable period, being proprietor of the
Waterloo Steam Boiler Works. At the present time, however, he is living retired
in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He
was born in Kilmarnock, Scotland, on the loth of March, 1844, his parents bemg
John and Jane (Mills) Mussett, who were likewise natives of the land of hills
and heather, in which they spent their entire lives. The father was a weaver by
trade and thus provided for the support of his family.

Robert G Mussett was the eighth in order of birth in a family of nnie children.
He attended the schools of Kilmarnock but his educational opportunities were,
quite limited, as he began working when but eight years of age, being first em-
ploved in a tobacco factory in Scotland. W^hen about twelve years of age he
began learning the cabinetmaker's trade, which he followed for a year, but think-
ing to find other pursuits more congenial, he then took up the trade of boiler
making, at which he worked in Scotland and in England until he had attained his
majority, being employed as a journeyman boiler maker. He then resolved to

484 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

try his fortune in the new world and in 1865 crossed the Atlantic, establishing
his home at Parkersburg, West Virginia. He afterward went to Chillicothe,
Ohio, where he remained for about two years. Later he traveled over Texas
and the southern states, also in Peru and other portions of South America, work-
ing at his trade all of the time. The year 1899 witnessed his arrival in Iowa and
he opened a boiler shop in Waterloo, known as the Waterloo Steam Boiler Works,
for the manufacture of steam boilers, smoke stacks and sheet steel work of all
descriptions. He remained actively and successfully in the business until 1913,
when he retired from active labor in the factory. He devoted practically sixty
years of his life to boiler making and there is no phase of the business with which
he is not familiar. As success has attended his efforts he has made investment in
real estate and is now the owner of property in Waterloo and also in Cook county,
Illinois. The rest which he is now enjoying is indeed well deserved.

On the loth of July, 1869, Mr. Alussett was united in marriage to Miss Martha
Patton, a native of Paterson, New Jersey, and a daughter of Alexander and
Martha Patton. The father was born in Glasgow, Scotland, while the mother's
birth occurred in New York city. After traveling life's journey together for more
than forty years Mr. and Mrs. Mussett were separated in the death of the wife
on the 22d of February, 1910. They were the parents of six children, namely:
John, who is deceased; Robert T., residing in Waterloo, who conducts his father's
factory; James, who has passed away; William, who is associated in business with
his brother Robert; Adam, deceased; and Martha, who is employed as a ste-
nographer and who resides with her father in Waterloo.

Mr. Mussett exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and
measures of the republican party but political office has never had attraction for
him. He attends the Presbyterian church but is not a member of any lodges or
clubs. He feels that he is now permanently located in Waterloo, expecting to
spend his remaining days here. His life has indeed been an active one and there
are many interesting chapters in the record, for his travels have taken him into
various sections of the world and brought him many experiences.

HARVEY WILLIAM DEAN.

Harvey William Dean, a well known contractor of Waterloo, was born in
Waverly on the 21st of June, 1873, a son of George R. and Helen (Chamberlain)
Dean, both natives of the Empire state. In 1856, after their marriage, they
came to Iowa and located at Waverly, where the father engaged in teaching school
for some time. He subsequently became identified with agricultural pursuits and
for a number of years was a prosperous and successful farmer. He passed to his
reward in 1901. His wddow is making her home wdth the subject of this review.
To their union were born nine children, six of whom died in childhood. Charles
A. is a carpenter of Waterloo and has six children. Emma, deceased, became the
wife of Charles H. Shepherd, a resident of Vermont. Harvey \A'illiam, of this
review, is the youngest of the family.

The last named attended the district schools in the neighborhod of Waverly
until he was a youth of seventeen. As soon as he w^as old enough he began assist-

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 485

ing his father with the plowing and with other farm work and as his strength
increased he did more and more of a man's work, so that by the time he reached
maturity he was an efficient agriculturist. He engaged in farming until twenty-
eight years of age, when he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed
until 1908. In that year he turned his attention to general contracting and in the
spring of 1914 located in Waterloo, where he formed a partnership with li. S.
McVey under the firm name of Dean & McVey. After several months Mr. Dean
purchased the interest of his partner and has since remained alone in the busi-
ness. He takes contracts for erecting buildings of all kinds and also builds
houses which he later sells, and as his interests are well managed his business
yields him a good profit annually. He owns a number of valuable residence prop-
erties in Waterloo and is one of the well-to-do men of the city.

On the 3d of October, 191 1, Mr. Dean was married to Miss Mary Ivens, who
was born in Wisconsin, a daughter of Charles and Lucy (Collins) Ivens, who in
1908 removed to Iowa. Her father died on the nth of March, 1912, and her
mother is now living in Seattle, Washington. To Mr. and Mrs. Dean has been
born a daughter, Leone Mildred, whose natal day was June 3, 1914- Mr. Dean
takes a citizen's interest in affairs of government. He is not active in politics,
however, as he finds that his business demands his entire time and attention and
as he beheves that in carefully managing his own affairs he is also contributing
to the growth and expansion of Waterloo, and his initiative and enterprise are
making him one of the leading contractors of the city.

R. C. FERGUSON.

R. C. Ferguson is well known in Waterloo, where he has long been success-
fully engaged in business as a well driller and in the sale of windmills and pumps
and their equipments. He maintains a well appointed establishment at No. 708
Independence avenue. His birth occurred in Pennsylvania in 1863, his parents
being Edward and Isabelle Ferguson, the former of Scotch ancestry and the
latter of Irish descent. In 1866 they came west to Iowa, settling in Bennington
township, Black Hawk county, where the father purchased land and followed
farming until his demise, which occurred on the 5th of December, 1876. Mrs.
Ferguson, however, survives and makes her home in Waterloo, where she is widely
and favorably known. She is the mother of six children, one daughter and five
sons, as follows : George, who is a member of the firm known as the Ferguson
Manufacturing Company of Waterloo ; R. C, of this review ; Stephen, Albert and
Charles A., all of whom are engaged in business as members of the Ferguson
Manufacturing Company; and lona, the wife of Jess Noble, who holds the office
of postmaster at Manitou, Colorado.

R. C. Ferguson, who was but three years of age when brought by his parents
to this county, acquired his education in the pubhc schools of Bennington town-
ship and after putting aside his text-books devoted his attention to general agri-
cultural pursuits until he had attained his majority. Subsequently he spent two
years in California and then returned to Black Hawk county, since which time,
with the exception of a period of three years spent in the plant of the Ferguson

486 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Manufacturing Company, he has been continuously engaged in business at Water-
loo as a well driller and in the sale of pumps and windmills. In these connec-
tions he has built up an enterprise of extensive and profitable proportions and has
gained an enviable reputation as a business man of ability and unassailable
integrity.

In 1893 Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Gensert, who
was born in Illinois and acquired her education in the schools of Bennington
township, this county. Her parents were Frederick and Caroline (Humer) Gen-
sert. The father, who followed the stonemason's trade in early manhood, sub-
sequently turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and followed farming
throughout the remainder of his active business career. His demise occurred
in February, 191 1, in Waterloo, where he was living retired. To him and his wife
were born seven children, as follows : Mrs. Mary Steeley, who is a resident of
Brandon, Iowa ; Mrs. Sarah Ferguson ; George, living in Chicago, Illinois ; John,
who makes his home in Waterloo, Iowa ; and Susie, Frances and William, all of
whom are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have been born the following
children, namely: Berneth, whose husband is a tinner by trade; Floyd, who is
associated with his father in business ; and Leona, Robert, Marion and Carl, all
of whom are attending school.

Mr. Ferguson is a democrat in politics but does not seek nor desire office
and does not consider himself bound by party ties, his attitude on all questions
of government being that of a liberal-minded and public-spirited citizen. Fra-
ternally he is identified with the Alodern Woodmen of America, while his religious
faith is indicated by his membership in Grace Methodist Episcopal church, to
which his wife and children also belong. The period of his residence in Black
Hawk county covers nearly a half century and he has long been numbered among
its valued and esteemed citizens.

AMOS A. EYESTONE.

Death ofttimes claims those whom a community can ill spare. It was with
the deepest regret that his fellow townsmen learned of the passing of Amos
A. Eyestone, who had long been a representative farmer and stock raiser of
Mount Vernon township. He lived on section 26, where he owned a good tract
of land which he carefully developed and improved according to modern methods.
He was born in Ohio and came to the west during the pioneer epoch in the
development of Black Hawk county, as is indicated by the fact that it was
possible for him to purchase land from the government. Not a furrow had
been turned nor an improvement made, but with characteristic energ}- he began
to break the sod and plant his fields. It was not until after he had served in
the Civil war, however, that he undertook the task of developing his farm.
Following the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the south, his
patriotic spirit was aroused and he joined the Union army, becoming a member
of Company B, Thirty-first Iowa Regiment, with which he served for three
years, after which he was mustered out with the rank of corporal.

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 487

Upon receiving his honorable discharge Mr. Eyestone returned to Iowa and
took possession of his farm. He then resolutely set himself to the task of
developing the fields and in addition carried on general stock raising, con-
tinuing in both lines of business until his death. As the years passed on he
prospered in his undertakings and became the owner of three hundred and
twenty acres of highly improved farm land, constituting one of the best prop-
erties of Mount Vernon township. When he arrived in the county all was wild
prairie covered with millions of flowers through the summer months and pre-
senting a dazzling, unbroken sheet of snow through the winter seasons. Mr.
Eyestone was a resolute man and carried forward to successful completion
whatever he undertook.

On the nth of April, 1867, Mr. Eyestone was united in marriage to Miss
Flora McDonald, a native of Scotland and a daughter of Donald and Mary
McDonald, who were likewise born in the land of the hills and heather. They
came to America when their daughter, Mrs. Eyestone, was but two weeks old
and settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, removing at. a later date to Iowa. The
father purchased land and began farming in Black Hawk county and became
well known among the representative agriculturists of his community. He died
at the age of seventy-two years, while his wife passed away at the age of
lifty-nine years. In their family were seven children: Archibald, Mary, John
and Jeannette, all of whom are deceased; Alexander, who is living in the state
of Washington ; Mrs. Eyestone ; and one who died in infancy. The father
at the time of his death was the owner of a fine farm which he had developed
from the unbroken prairie. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian
church and his life was guided by its teachings.

To Mr. and Mrs. Eyestone were born five children: WlUiam S., now living
on the old homestead ; Mary E., the wife of Seth Gilbert, of Black Hawk town-
ship; Ethzelda, who married William Deeming, of Black Hawk county; W. A.,
who occupies the old homestead; and Jeannette, the wife of Otis dinger, of
Waterloo. Mr. Eyestone exercised his right of franchise in support of the
men and measures of the republican party and served his township in the
position of trustee. He passed away September 25, 1898, and many friends
as well as his immediate family mourned his loss. Mrs. Eyestone still occupies
the old homestead, which was the property of her husband, and is comfortably
situated in life.

S. G. LEVERSEE.

S. G. Leversee, a prosperous and representative farmer and stock-raiser of
Black Hawk county, has here resided for more than six decades and is well known
as the proprietor of the Hardscrabble Farm, embracing one hundred and eighty
acres of land on sections 29 and 30, Mount Vernon township. His birth occurred
in Rensselaer county, New York, in 1837, his parents being Dow and Catherine
Leversee, who were Hkewise natives of the Empire state. Removing to Illinois,
they purchased land near Freeport but subsequently disposed of the property and

Vol. n— 27

488 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

went to Wisconsin, in which state Dow Leversee followed fanning for a few
years.

In 1853 he brought his family to Cedar Falls, Black Hawk county, Iowa, pur-
chasing and locating on a tract of land three-fourths of a mile north of the city.
Later he sold the place, how^ever, and took up his abode on section 29, Mount
Vernon township, where our subject now makes his home, being there actively
engaged in agricultural pursuits until his demise in March, 1872. Prosperity
attended his undertakings and he accumulated four hundred and eighty acres of .
valuable land in this county. For many years he conducted a blacksmith shop in
connection with his farming interests and also devoted considerable attention to
stock-raising. He gave his political allegiance to the democracy and held a num-
ber of local offices, including that of justice of the peace in Mount Vernon town-
ship, in which connection he won a most enviable reputation. His wife, who
survived him for more than a quarter of a century, passed away at the home of
her son, S. G., in 1898. To them were born seven children, as follows: One who
died in infancy; S. G., of this review^ ; Austin W. and Charles, both of whom are
residents of Mount Vernon township, this county: Mrs. Emma J. Pattee. living
in South Dakota; Darwin, who is deceased: and another who died in infancy.

S. G. Leversee enjoyed but meager educational advantages in his youth, early
assisting his father in the blacksmith shop. He w'as a youth of sixteen when he
came to this county w'ith his parents and he worked with his father until the
time of his marriage at the age of twenty-eight years, when he started out as an
agriculturist on his own account, operating that part of the old homestead which
had come into his possession. This he has cultivated continuously and success-
fully since. At one time he owned two hundred and forty acres and he still
has a valuable and highly improved farm of one hundred and eighty acres in
Mount Vernon township, all of the land being in a high state of cultivation. In
connection with the raising of cereals he was also at one time an extensive breeder
of black polled cattle, this branch of his business adding materially to his annual
income.

In 1866 Mr. Leversee was united in marriage to Miss Emma J. Eyestone, a
native of Ohio and a daughter of Abram and Elizabeth (Lundy) Eyestone, who
established their home in Black Hawk county in 1853. Both have passed away,
the mother surviving the father for some years. Their children were six in num-
ber, namely : Amos, deceased ; Mrs. Emma I. Leversee, who has also passed away ;
Mrs. Elizabeth Hollaway, who is a resident of Calhoun county, Iowa : Mrs. Hulda
Walker, living in Nebraska ; Willis, who is a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska : and
Mrs. Etta Harshbarger, who also makes her home in Lincoln, Nebraska. Mr.
and Mrs. Leversee became the parents of six children. William, the eldest, was
born in 1866 and died in 1888, at the age of twenty-two years. Florence gave
her hand in marriage to Ed Hollenbeck, of Roberts county. South Dakota, by
whom she has had three children : Dow^ ; and two who died in infancy. Marquis
A., whose birth occurred in 1875. is an agriculturist of Roberts county. South
Dakota, and has one son, Ross. Samuel T., born in 1877, resides upon and
operates his father's homestead. In 1900 he wedded Miss Harriett Whillis, a
native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and a daughter of James and Alma Whillis, the
former born in Scotland and the latter in New York. The father took up his
abode in Iowa in 1872, while the mother came in 1864, and both are still living in

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

489

this state. To Samuel T. and Harriett (Whillis) Leversee have been born five
children, as follows: Luella, whose birth occurred in 1901 ; Bertram, whose natal
year was 1903 ; and George, Alma and Feme, who were born in the years 1906,
1908 and 1910 respectively. Amos C, the fifth child of Mr. and Mrs. S. G.'
Leversee, was born in 1879 and resides in Washington township, this county. In
1900 he married Miss Luella Heifer, a daughter of Jesse and Hannah Heifer.
Irene, born in 1881, gave her hand in marriage to Rolla Chenney, of Cedar Falls.
S. G. Leversee is a democrat in politics and for a numljer of years held the
office of township trustee. He likewise served as a member of the school board
for many years and has ever discharged his public duties in a most prompt and
capable manner. His fraternal relations are with the Masons and the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. A resident of Black Hawk county for more than six-
decades, he is well known here, and he and his family stand high in the esteem of
the entire community.

CASPER LINDNER.

Casper Lindner is a resident and representative farmer of Fox township,
. living on section 6, and is numbered among the self-made men of his county,
for from the age of fourteen years he has been dependent entirely upon his
own resources. He was born in the Rhine province of Germany in i860, a son
of Bernard and Mary (Neisen) Lindner, the former born in 1834 and the latter
in 1840. The father fo.llowed farming in his native country and in 1888, attracted
by the opportunities of the new world, came to the United States, living near
Hopedale. Illinois. He also resided for a time in that town and ultimately he
retired from active business and took up his abode in Chicago, where his last
days were spent. He was a Catholic in religous faith.

Casper Lindner attended parochial schools in Germany and when fourteen
years of age began working as a farm hand, but only followed that occupation
for a short time, when he secured employment in a stone quarry. He afterward
worked in stone quarries and upon the railroad for some time and in 1880
he went to Hopedale. Illinois, securing employment as farm hand near that
place. Six years were devoted to the work of the fields, at the end of which
time he took up his abode in the town and became connected with the elevator
at that place. He was recognized as one of the prominent and influential citizens
and for three years filled the office of alderman. Fie then began farming on
his own account, and in 1912 he removed to Black Hawk county, where he has
since resided, his home being on section 6. Fox township. He has made many
warm friends during the period of his residence here and enjoys the good will
and confidence of those who know him.

In 1886 Mr. Lindner was united in marriage to Miss Katrina Stiren, a
native of Badem, Germany, and a daughter of Bernard and Leona (Jung) Stiren,
who were born in the years 1829 and 1830, respectively. They never came to
the United States, and Mr. Stiren ser\'ed in the wars of 1866 and 187 1 in
Germany. He owned considerable property and was a very popular and influ-
ential citizen of his town, holding a positon equivalent to that of mayor in this

490 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

country. Mrs. Lindner, who was the third eldest of six children, crossed the
Atlantic to America when about twenty-five years of age. By her marriage she has
become the mother of the following children: Mathias, a farmer residing
at Lake Preston, South Dakota, who is married and has three children ; Rose,
who gave her hand in marriage to Willliam Weyden, a blacksmith of Lore, near
Dubuque, Iowa; William, an agriculturist of South Dakota; Bernard, a resident
of \A'aterloo, Iowa ; Mary ; and Daniel, who assists his father in the operation
of the home farm.

Mr. Lindner and his family are communicants of the Catholic church at
Raymond and he was active in establishing the church there. His political
indorsement is given the democratic party and for eight years he filled
the office of township trustee. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern
^^'oodmen of America. His good qualities have gained him warm regard
among those with whom he has been brought in contact, while his business
ability and enterprise have placed him among the substantial residents of Fox
township. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to
America, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in their
utilization has gained a place among the well-to-do citizens of his adopted county.

HERBERT B. STUART.

Herbert B. Stuart is the president and general manager of the Northern Tile
Company, conducting a contracting and jobbing business in marble, tile and fire-
place fixtures at Waterloo. Their contracts call them into various sections of
Iowa, Minnesota, northwestern Illinois and southern Wisconsin and the business
is one of the leading industries of the city. Mr. Stuart was born in Otsego, Mich-
igan, June 14, 1883, and is therefore a comparatively young man before whom the
future holds out many promises of success in recognition of his close application
and unremitting energy. He is a son of Willis M. and Grace (Ross) Stuart.
The father was born in Panama, New York, July 2, 1849, and the mother's birth
occurred in Trowbridge township, about five and a half miles from Otsego, New
York, in April, 1855. Early in life Willis M. Stuart engaged in the lumber busi-
ness in Michigan and there continued in the trade for thirty-five years. He is
still a resident of Otsego, Michigan, where he is now living retired. He was
also connected with the Otsego Chair Company during the time that he engaged in
the lumber business and his commercial and industrial interests were among the
important business concerns of the community in which he lived. To him and his
wife have been born three children.

Herbert B. Stuart, the second in order of birth, attended the schools of Otsego
and also of Plainwell, Michigan. When sixteen years of age he w^as employed as
a traveling salesman in Michigan and afterward entered the employ of the firm
of Martin & Martin of Chicago, in which business he was engaged for about
two years. For a brief period in his teens he was also engaged in the printing
business and when a youth of eighteen began selling life insurance for the
Prudential Company, which he represented until he attained his majority. He
then went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he engaged in the printing business

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 491

for three years. He afterward became a traveling salesman in the employ of the
E. O. Bullman Manufacturing Company, selling wire goods for about six months.
He next went to New York city, where he entered the employ of the William
Green Publishing Company, remaining there for about eight months, when he
returned to Chicago. He was then employed by the firm of Martin & Martin as a
traveling salesman but after a brief period came to Waterloo on the 17th of
October, 1909, and here engaged in the tile business, organizing the Northern Tile
Company with his brother Earl as a partner. Subsequently his brother sold out
to A. E. Park of Waterloo and then they incorporated the business under the state
laws of Iowa. Mr. Park was connected with the concern for about two years,
when he sold his interest in the business to C. D. Stuart of Benton Harbor, Mich-
igan, a second cousin of Herbert B. Stuart. The firm is now conducting a con-
tracting and jobbing business in marble, tile and fireplace fixtures and their busi-
ness covers a wide area in the northern part of the Mississippi valley. Herbert B.
Stuart, as president and general manager of the company, devotes his entire time
to the business. He has thoroughly acquainted himself with the trade, under-
stands the market and is qualified to execute orders promptly and efficiently.
That his work has given uniform satisfaction is indicated in his constantly grow-
ing trade, which has already assumed extensive proportions.

On the 13th of November, 1910, Mr. Stuart was united in marriage to Miss
Dott Evelyn Smith, a native of Indianapolis, Iowa, and a daughter of Everett
and Laura (Malaby) Smith, the latter a native of What Cheer, Iowa, while the
former was born in Illinois. The father engaged in the grocery business in early
life. He removed to Iowa and was connected with the grocery trade in Gibson
and also at Tilton. He died in the year 1905 and his wadow now resides with
Mr. and Mrs. Stuart, who are the parents of a son, Bruce, born March 13, 1913.

Mr. Stuart is a member of the Commercial Club and Board of Trade of Water-
loo. In poHtics he is independent and has never aspired to public office, preferring
to concentrate his energies upon his business afifairs, which are carefully conducted
and are bringing to him substantial success. Since starting out in life on his own
account at the age of sixteen years he has steadily worked his way upward and
has gained for himself a most creditable position in the business circles of
Waterloo.

JOHN YOUNGBLUT.

John Youngblut is a farmer and stockman of Fox township, his place being
known as the Rural Home Stock Farm. Success has attended his efforts and
his place gives every evidence of the progressive spirit of the owner. A native
of Black Hawk county, Mr. Youngblut was born in Cedar township in i860,
his parents being Frank and Susan (Zemmerel) Youngblut. The father's birth
occurred near Auspelt, Luxemburg, Germany, in 1823, while the mother was
born near Phalen, Luxemburg, in 1829. He worked as a farm laborer in his
native kingdom and on crossing the Atlantic to America landed at New Orleans,
and thence proceeded up the Mississippi river to Dubuque, from which place
he made his way across the state to Black Llawk county in 1S52. Here he was

492 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

employed as a farm hand for a number of years and then purchased land and
began farming, meeting all of tlie hardships and experiences which constitute
the conditions of pioneer life. He paid nine dollars per acre for his land,
which is today very valuable property, owing to the improvements which he
placed upon it and the natural rise in land values as the result of the growth
in population in this district. In the later years of his life he lived retired
in (Hlbertville and there passed away in 1892. His wife survived him for
fourteen years, dying in 1905. Mr. Youngblut was a very active and faithful
member of the Catholic church and aided in building with slabs the first church
of that denomination in Gilbertville. In politics he was a democrat and did all
in his power to further the success of the party. He stood for progress and
advancement in all things and his worth was widely acknowledged by many
who knew him.

John Youngblut is the only surviving son of his father's family. He attended
the district schools and also the Catholic schools of Waterloo and through the
periods of vacation he worked in the fields. After his text-books were put aside
he gave his entire attention to farm work and assisted his father to the age
of twenty-three years and then began farming on his own account by renting
land. He spent three years in that way, during which time he lived most
economically until his industry and frugality brought him a sufficient sum to
enable him to purchase some of the land which he now owns. He has been
engaged in farming and stock raising since that time and occupies a prominent
position in that connection. He raises and feeds Hereford cattle, Duroc-Jersey
hogs and Belgian horses. He is justly accounted one of the best farmers of
Fox township, for he makes wise use of his time and opportunities and has
converted his farm into most productive fields, utilizing the soil to the best
advantage. His holdings now comprise three hundred and thirty-five acres and
the crops which he annually harvests bring to him a gratifying income. Stock
raising is likewise an important factor of his business and the results achieved
thereby are gratifying. He is likewise a director of the Black Hawk County
Mutual Insurance Company.

In 1884 Mr. Youngblut married Miss Margaret Robert, a native of this
county and a daughter of Nicholas and JuHa ( Mitchell ) Robert. Her father
was born in Luxemburg in 1822 and her mother in Ireland in 1842. She was
brought to the United States when three years of age and is now living in
Waterloo. Nicholas Robert and Frank Youngblut were bachelors together in
Frenchtown, now Gilbertville, and in 1852 worked as farm hands for Mr.
Poyner, for whom Poyner township was named. In 1856 Mr. Robert went
to the pineries of Wisconsin and li\ed there for three years. He then returned
to Black Hawk county and Nicholas Robert resided near Gilbertville on land
which he owned. He was one of the early settlers here when pioneer conditions
prevailed and he assisted in the early development and upbuilding of his section.
He was a Catholic in his religious faith, a democrat in his political views, and
he was active in both connections. Mr. and Mrs. Youngblut have become the
parents of ten children. Frank, who is the owner of a hardware store at
Oran, Iowa, is married to Miss Anna Phillips and has four children, Mabel,
Josephine, Leo and Burton, Josephine dying at the age of seven years and six
months ; John, a resident farmer of Poyner township, married Mary Phillips,

HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY 493

a sister of his brother Frank's wife, and they have three children, Roy, Flor-
ence and Louis; Dora is the wife of John Ahles, a resident farmer of Fox
township, and they have four children, Josie, Josephine, Francis and Eulalia ;
Peter and Clarence are both at home; Margaret is the wife of Henry Weyden!
of Barclay township; Joseph, Julia, Arthur and Albert are all attending school
The parents are communicants of the Catholic church and politically Mr.
Youngblut is a democrat. He is active in the work of the party and his opinions
carry weight in its local councils. He has been justice of the peace for the
past seventeen years and was township trustee for nine years, in which con-
nections he has discharged his duties with marked promptness and fidelity,
winning for him the high commendation of all concerned. His business record
has been most commendable in that earnest purpose and diligence have con-
stituted the foundation on which he has built his success. The Rural Home
Stock Farm is one of the valuable properties of the county and in raising Here-
ford cattle, Duroc-Jersey hogs and Belgian horses he has done much to improve
the grade of stock handled in this county.

GEORGE BOPP.

George Bopp carries on general farming and stock raising on section 25,
Mount Vernon township, where a good tract of land pays tribute to the care
and labor which he annually bestows upon it. He was born in Germany in 1852.
The father died in that country, and the mother, with her children and her
parents, afterward came to the new world, arriving in America in the latter
part of the year 1853. They first settled in York county, Pennsylvania, and
there the mother married again, becoming the wife of William Bopp. The
children of her first marriage, two in number, George and Ellen, afterward
took the name of their stepfather. The daughter is now the wife of Joseph
Lawer, of Naperville, Illinois. By the mother's second marriage there were
born three children, of whom two died in infancy, the other being Maria, the
wife of David Fry, who died in Illinois in 1897.

George Bopp was but an infant when brought by his mother to the new
world. He was twenty-one years of age when he left home and about that
time he married. He worked out by the day and month, at anything that he
could get to do for some time, but afterward secured employment in a nursery
and still later in a buggy factory and in a fork factory. He was employed for
six months and thus earned the money with which to buy his first household
goods. He was living at that time in Illinois. He rented his father-in-law's
farm and continued its cultivation until the death of the latter in 1873. Mr.
Bopp then purchased forty acres of the old homestead and lived thereon for
six years. He then sold that property and invested in about eighty acres of
land in Kendall county, Illinois, upon which he resided for six years. At the
end of that time he sold out and rented a farm of one hundred and sixty acres
in Will county, Illinois, upon which he lived for four years. He next rented
another farm for three years, and in 1886 he bought eighty acres of land, to
which he afterward added a tract of one hundred and twenty-seven acres m

494 HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY

Kendall county. Three years later he disposed of that property and came to
Black Hawk county, Iowa, where he became the owner of two hundred and
forty acres of land on section 25, Mount A'ernon township. Since that time
he has bought land in Bennington township and now owns three hundred and
twenty-four acres of highly improved land, all richly cultivated. His farm work
is carried on according to the most progressive ideas. He practices the rotation
of crops and does everything possible to enhance the productiveness of the soil.
His fields have been brought to a high state of cultivation and he annually
gathers rich crops, the sale of which brings him a most gratifying income.

In 1872 Mr. Bopp was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Book, who was
born near Joliet, \M11 county, Illinois, her parents being John and Margaret
Book. To them have been born seven children, of whom two daughters and
four sons are yet living, as follows : Edward Charles, who is a resident of
Waterloo ; William John, who lives in one of his father's farms ; Samuel Peter,
who resides on a farm in Mount Vernon township; Robert H., at home ; Mary L..
who is the wife of Walter Ponsford, of Waterloo, Iowa ; and Lulu Ethel, also
at home. Samuel and Robert both attended business college in Waterloo.

The family are adherents of the Evangelical church of Waterloo, and Mr.
Bopp belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp. His political indorsement is
given to the republican party, for he believes that its platform contains the
best elements of good government, but he has never been an office seeker. Since
starting out in life for himself at an early age he has been dependent upon his
own resources, and whatever success he has achieved is the direct reward of
his persistency of purpose, his diligence and good business judgment. He is
among those who have had a part in winning for Iowa its reputation as an
agricultural center, leading the country in the production of corn and scarcely
surpassed by other states in the production of still other cereals.

INDEX

Alford, E. T 227

Altstadt, C. F " ' ' 39

Andrews, John 239

Anton, A. L . . 349

Arey, M. F 469

Armagost, 0. W 392

Armstrong, J. E 126

Arnett, Lillie A 161

Arthur, J. E 224

Bahr, H. B 271

Bailey, J. L 457

Bailey, Ransom 455

Bailey, S. 0 459

Ballou, F. B 427

Baro, John 54

Barrett, J. E 304

Baum, W. F 347

Becker, Henry 175

Bedford, W. H 253

Benedict, C. E 230

Benser, L. J 395

Bentley, F. T 107

Berg, John 47

Bernardy, Martin 404

Bernbrock, H. 0 10

Berry, J. P 24

Bickley, C. C 58

Bickley, C. S 268

Bickley, G. E 79

Bickley, G. G 17

Bi'ckley, J. C 297

Bickley, J. G . 125

Bic^iley, W. H 159

Bicknell, A. E . . . 287

Black, James 69

Blackledge, Virgil 56

Bloiigh, I. W 9

Boies, H. B 25

Boies, Horace 138

Bopp, George 493

Bornong, Frank 414

Bovee, D. W 288

Brandes, Lewis 463

Broad, C. J 217

Bronson, C. E 110

Brown, H. W 225

Brunn, W. H 75

Bryan, William 312

Bryant, F. A 50

Bryant, W. C 112

Bryant, W. A., Jr Ill

Buehner, F. W. H 447 -

Bunn, A. 1 329

Burger, Anton 293

Burgess, J. 0 215

Vol. 11—28

Burk, W. H 282

Burkctt, J. T 97

Burt, Austin 70

Byvank, B. H 2OO

r'anfield, P. E 64

Cannon, J. T 335

Carson, F. A 279

Cass, CD 432

Cass, J. F 264'

Cass, L. S 148

Cass, S. F 270

Cliamberlain, F. L 351

Chaplin, \V. L 451

Cheney, CM 88

Clark, G. W 80

Clark, J. G 223

Cleveland, M. B 170

Cole, A. C . . 192

Crisp, J. F 373

CVowell, R. I . 361

Culley, C E I86

Cutler. F. E 5

Dawson, G. W 73

Dayton, G. R 294

Dean, H. W 484

Deeming, W. H 394

Degon, R. L 127

De^ Mott, F. E 476

Dempster, J. E 16

Demuth, [Nlathias 475

Dietrick. F. B 128

Doak, C E 247

Du Mond, C. M 276

Dunham, A. A 131

Dunn, (i. G 14

Eddy, Willard. 439

Eigenmann, W. P 118

Eighmey, F. J 116

Eighmey, W. F 358

Eklund, R. E 376

Ellis, R. A 129

Emert, R. W 443

Eyestone, A. A 486

Fay, Charles 470

Feiil, J. H 387

Ferguson, A. R 188

Fergaison, C A 357

Ferguson, G. S 208

Ferguson, R. C 485

Ferguson, S. E 352

Fike. CO 281

Finch, F. H 4'32

Finch. Ira 408

495

496

INDEX

Finch. Levi 441

Flint, H. W 285

Foss, E. B 289

Foss, M. G 391

Foster, W. L 45

Foster, W. 0 278

Foulk. 0. U 198

Fowler, C. F 162

Fowler, G. V 176

Francis, Bruce 471

French, W. R 46

Fullertoii, ( ). J 92

(Talloway, J. W 267

(lalloway. S. B 286

Galloway, William 86

(larrettson, G. X 74

Gates, A. P' 308

Gates, J. C 203

Gibbons, James 480

Gibson, David 311

Gibson, R. W 360

Given, W. H 356

Gleason, M. T '. . 425

Glenny, A. E 402

Glessiier. R. T 384

Goodfellow. Joim 222

Goodrich, .1. H 177

Green, C. F 332

Grout, Frances A 185

Grout, H. \V 182

Hacker, Joseph 410

Hall. S. J 57

Hanna. W. H 258

Hansen. A. .S 344

Hansen, Henry 438

Harrington. J. E 465

HartniJin, F. T 300

Hartman. J. C 92

Haselman, B. A 196

Hazlett. G. W 460

Headford. E. H 236

Headford, W. T 366

Hellen. C. W 189

Henderson. J. \V 406

Herren, W. E 320

Hey, W. A 232

Highland. J. B 278

Hitchcock, C. W '. 317

Hitchins. F. 0 348

HolT. S. M 330

Hofi"mann. A. A 207

Hogan. J. H 472

Holden, C. G 157

Holden, C. L 221

Hollis, F. R 445

Hoover, I.J 241

Hoppe, C. F 386

Hoppe, H. F ' 209

Howrey, B. J 145

Hoxie,' H. B 132

Hoxie, R. J 333

Hoxie, W. P 67

Hudson Savings Bank 426

Hukill, A. T 199

Humphrey, M. T 260

Huntoon. D. C 66

Huppert, J. F 155

Hutcheson, C. R 334

Jaynes, E. T 295

Jepsen. J. P 249

Johnson, A. P 428

Johnson, Emmons 40

Johnson, Henry 277

Johnson, J. E 99

Kascht, B. H '. . . 462

Keane, F. P 108

Keller, H. O 78

Kell/, M, H 91

Kenvon. J. 1 35

Kimball, D. B 422

Kingslsy, C. L 252

Kline, C. W 369

Knapp. A. J 343

Knapp, F. F 416

Knipp. P. W 280

Knittel. L. A 8

Knox. J. 0 166

Kober. William 193

Koeneko. J. C 213

Koojike. F. J 353

Koester, Philip 420

Krensk}'-, Harry 339

Lamb, 0. S 115

Lamson. CO 20

Landgraf. F. J 37

Langlas. W. H 59

Laugliliii. Judson 17j9

Lauritzen, L. J 337

Law. W. R 89

Lee. Richard 284

Leighton. E. A 152

Lemmer, John 298

Leversee, S. G 487

Lichtv, G. E 147

Lichtv, H. B 299

Lite, "W. H 306

Lindner, Casper 489

Lizer. H. B 240

Lunemnnn. J. H .228

McAlvin. J. (J 194

.McChanc. Joim 378

McCov. E. H 181

:\IcDo"nnell, T. F 407

McElhinnev, Andrew 204

McManus. " T. U 36

-McXaughton, J. A 197

Magee, E. E 325

:\Iartin, H. C 7

Martin, Le Clair 195

Martin. P. J 109

Mead, F. X 266

Messer, Eli 423

Messinger, W. G 316

Miller. G. B 68

Miller. G. W 233

Miller. Hermann 53

.Alillcr. J. G 380

Miller, L. D 167

Mitchell, D. M 158

Montague, R. E 122

Moore, M. H 481

:\Ioore, 8. D 478

Morgan, M. J 28

Mornin, G. S 218

Morris, G. W 468

^lorrison. J. W 385

Moses. H. D 191

INDEX

Mullan, A. W. . .
Mussett, R. G. . .
Myers, Margaret
Mythaler, D. F. .

Nash, Mrs. W. C
Nation, W. F. . ,
Nauman, C. H.^
Xauman, G. W

NeflF, M. B ■

Xemmers, J. N. . .
Nemmers, J. p.
Xesbit, G. M . . . .
Xewton, G. E. . .
Xichols, Z. M. . .
Xorthrup, A. J. .

O'Conner, P. J.
O'Keef e, J. E . .
Ortner, John .

Parker, R. L . .
Parks, H. J

Parsons, L. ,S

Paulsen, P. H. . . .

Perkins, R. A

Perrin, M. J

Petersen Brotliers

108
483
368
421

323
341
105
106
244
431
433
313
245
393
366

466
119
464

48
324
18
60
146
314
269

Sedgwifk, -J. E

See, G. X

Seerley. H. H . . .

Sells, "^Cato

SIierMood, Cliarlcs

Sliippy, A. A

Sliockley, C. P. .
Slioeuiaker, E.
Sias, Carleton
Sigworth, H. \V
Simmons, \
Sim])son. .7
Sinnard, L.
Sinnard, R. C.
Slippy, R. E.
Smelser, Jolin

L.
F.

Smitli. a. L.
Smith, H. M.
Smitli, P. W.
Smith, S. ('. .
Smith, S. D. .
Smith, W. W

Snowden, G. 0. 39^,

Snyder, E. A . oor

497

63
419

30
187

15
242
160
430

90
371
100
229
214
169
290
210
350
142
452
450
136
171

Peterson, J. J .-..

Rett, G. W ■

Pettit, F.
Pickett, C. E . .
Pint, Philip . . .

Place, A. M

Plumb, H. B. . .
I'lummer, C. H.
Ponsford, A. H.
Powers, F. W. .
Powers, J. L . . .

Quest, G. H...

34
103
273
474
216
412
296
461
101
211

449

Sny

Soash,

Spurr,

Steils,

Stetzel,

Stewart

Stillwagon,

Stover. E.

Stuart, H.

Swisher. B

P.
W.

235
303
434

Thomas . 3-

!■

R.
J.

L..

'. H

A. ]
L..

B. .
F.

29
38
6
388
375
156
490
243

Rainbow, .J. J 55

Ralston, J. G
Rath, E. F.
Rath, J. W.
Ravnaond, H.

Van Dvke, J. H. .
Van Pelt, H, G..
\"an Valkenburg,
A'an Vleck, C. M.
Vaughan, J. R. . .

Virden, G. E

Voorhees, W. K .

• • 77

367

•• 26

S 413

Peid. A. G 250

Renter. Joseph 390

Rhoades, Ida G 226

Rice, L. E 283

Ricker, Moses 48

Riensche, H. C 448

Ritz, P. E ,[[[ 19

Roberts, E. 0 251

Roberts, J. W 265

Robinson, J. E 326

Robinson, W. E 338

Rodamar, B. J 140

g°!^^f' E- L 27 We.stphal, J

R"le, S. M 379 Whittle \

Russell, Rensselaer 398

Rust, T. E 88

Tedford, S. J 14

Teeter, Fred
Teeter, T. 1)
Thompson, R

Tritz, :\r. J ;;.;; 315

Trumbauer, J. 0 150

Turnipseed, H. B 301

Tuthill, George 340

442

168

362

Amos 231

354

263

Wagner, William
Wangler, C. D . .
Wateiburv. C. A.

321

30?

Sadler, E. T 130

Santee, C. B 180

Schares, A. H. 374

Schares, Jacob 411

Schenk, J. M 389

Schildmeier, C. F 383

Schmitt, F. J. 405

Schmitz, Jacob 477

Schmitz, Nicholas 482

Weiland, Leonard 429

Welty, W. A ] 120

Wenner, E. J 246

. (li 424

T 335

Wild, Abraham 172

Williams, J. E 96

137

322

318

Wilson,

Witrv,

Wright,

B.
C.
E.
G.
L.

E
T.

151
261
254

Voungblut, John 491

Zook, J. A 117

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Texts

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people"

See other formats