Joseph J. Caldwell

Joseph J. Caldwell, a prominent citizen and prosperous agriculturist of Bertram township, was born in Fountain county, Indiana June 20, 1836, and is of Scotch ancestry, his paternal great-grandfather having emigrated from Scotland in the early part of the eighteenth century. The vessel on which he sailed was wrecked in a terrible storm, and he was the only one on board that was saved. He finally reached land and later went to New York. He located in the south and there reared his family, in which were four sons who fought for the freedom of the Colonies in the Revolutionary war. One of these was wounded in the hand during his service and another died of camp fever. The third subsequently removed to Butler county, Ohio, and engaged in farming. By trade one of the number was a weaver.

Robert Caldwell, the grandfather of our subject, was the youngest of these patriotic brothers, and was only fifteen years of age when he enlisted in General Washington's army. After the war he continued to make his home in Maryland for some time and was there married. When the father of our subject was about two years old the grandfather removed with his family to Butler county, Ohio, becoming one of its early settlers. He was one of the ten prospectors who first settled on the present site of Cincinnati. At that time the Indians were very troublesome, and the pioneers needed stout hearts and ready hands to protect themselves against the red men and the wild beasts that roamed through the forest. Mr. Caldwell was a carpenter by trade and found a knowledge of this craft most useful in his pioneer life. He was in every sense of the word a representative frontiersman - courageous, energetic and enterprising. For some time he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Butler county, Ohio, and then removed to Fountain county, Indiana, where he died at a good old age.

Joseph J. Caldwell, Sr., our subject's father, was a native of Maryland, and was reared to agricultural pursuits upon the frontier. The greater part of his life was passed in Indiana, but in 1852 he removed to Johnson county, Iowa, purchasing four hundred and eighty acres of raw prairie land in Cedar township, which he proceeded to break with six yoke of oxen and a breaking plow. He soon had his land under cultivation, and erected thereon a good house and barn. There he died in October, 1855, at the age of sixty-two years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Runnolds, was a native of Virginia and a daughter of Nehemiah Runnolds.

She passed away in January 1855, and her death was widely and deeply mourned. In their family were seven children, namely: Mary, who married Jacob Spitler and both died near Solon, Iowa; Eleaza, who died in California in 1850; Robert, who wedded Mary Spurgeon and both died in Holt county, Missouri; Frank, who first married Mary Williams and second Christina Bock, and died at his home eleven miles south of Independence, Iowa; Simon, who died at the age of two years; Joseph I., the subject of this sketch; and Amzi, deceased, who married Eliza Williams, now residing near Solon, Iowa.

Our subject's early school privileges were very limited, being able to attend the subscription schools for a brief time only. His elder brother, however, had received a fair education, and taught him at home, and by the time he was five years of age he was able to correctly repeat the multiplication tables. At the age of six he commenced work in the fields, and has since labored on an average of sixteen hours per day. He grew up to a self-reliant and self-respecting manhood in his birth place, and came with the family to Iowa in 1852. Immediately succeeding the death of his parents he took complete charge of the homestead farm. His father gave him eighty acres of land, and to this he subsequently added until he had three hundred and thirty acres of rich and arable land in Johnson county, where he made his home until 1897, when he sold his property there and removed to Linn county. He bought one hundred and thirty acres of land on sections 26 and 35, and has since made many improvements upon the place.

Mrs. Caldwell, who was a most estimable lady, a devoted wife, a sincere friend and kind neighbor, died in September, 1892. Our subject was again married at Solon, Iowa, June 7, 1894, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth Blain, who was born in Linn county, April 2, 1874, and is a daughter of Jesse and Erma (Hunter) Blain, natives of Johnson and Linn counties, respectively. She is the second in order of birth in a family of ten children, the others being May, who died in childhood; Ella, wife of Frank Knapp, a merchant of Bertram; Charles, a farmer of Bertram township; Julia; James, Raymond, John and Vesta, all living at home. One died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell have two children: Sherwin, born April 4, 1895; and Ilza, born July 20, 1897.

For almost a quarter of a century Mr. Caldwell has engaged in buying, feeding and shipping cattle and is considered an excellent judge of stock, as well as a man of good financial ability. He is a scientific farmer, and has acquired a comfortable competence, to which he is continually adding. For many years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has always been found on the side of right and justice. He takes an active interest in all things pertaining to the good of the community in which he lives, and was a prominent factor in building the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Great Northern Railroad through Linn and Johnson counties. In his political affiliations he is a Republican. His wife is a bright, intelligent lady, most pleasant in her social relations, and takes a very active interest in church work. 

Source: Biographical Record of Linn County, Iowa. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1901, p. 370-373.

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MAJOR JACOB H. CAMBURN, M. D.

More than forty-seven years have passed since this gentleman arrived in Cedar Rapids, and he is justly numbered among her honored pioneers and leading citizens.  As a physician and surgeon he was actively identified with her professional interests in early  life, but is now living retired.  His is an honorable record of a conscientious man, who by his upright life has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact.

The Doctor was born at Macedon Centre, Wayne county, New York, December 8, 1823, and comes of good old Revolutionary stock, his paternal great-grandfather, the father of Levi Camburn, having fought for the independence of the colonies as a soldier of the Continental army.  The great-grand father was from Glasgow, Scotland, and was a child of seven years when brought to this country by his father, who was one of the pioneers of New Jersey.  There Levi Camburn made his home until the father of our subject, J. K. Camburn, was seven years old, and then removed to the Genesee country, New York, finally locating in Macedon, Wayne county, remaining in that county until 1835, clearing and improving a farm on the Holland purchase.  In later years he removed with his son, J. K., to Michigan, the family becoming pioneer settlers of Lenawee county, that state, where they engaged in agricultural pursuits, buying two hundred acres of land.  In 1842 they moved to Moscow Plains, Hillsdale county, Michigan, where the death of both occurred.  The Doctor’s father was married in Wayne county, New York, to Miss Rebecca Champion, a native of New Jersey, who died in Franklin, Lenawee county, Michigan in 1840.  He spent his last years in Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he died in 1895, at the advanced age of ninety-one years.

Dr. Camburn was reared in Michigan and there acquired his primary education in an old log schoolhouse, such as was common on the frontier at that time.  Later he attended one of the four branches of the State University at Tecumseh, all of which have since been consolidated, forming the university at Ann Arbor.  After reading medicine with Prof. A. B. Palmer, M. D., who was practicing at Tecumseh, he attended lectures at the medical department of the Western Reserve College, Cleveland, Ohio, and entered upon the practice of his chosen profession at Tecumseh, Michigan, in partnership with Professor A. B. Palmer, of the medical department of the university at Ann Arbor, remaining there some years.  At an early day the University of Michigan was controlled by regents, appointed from each church denomination, and ministers, who were not practical,  usually being the ones appointed.  Witnessing the bad effects from such a course, the Doctor, with others, got a bill through the legislature to have the regents elected by the people of the state, and from that time on the school has been broadening all the time.  In 1845 Dr. Camburn came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and was engaged in practice here for some years.  He is one of the two pioneer physicians of this place who are still living here.  During the Civil war he received the appointment as regimental surgeon of the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, and went to the front with his regiment in February, 1862, but soon afterward was taken ill and was forced to resign in June of that year.  Subsequently he again entered the service as surgeon of the Sixth Iowa Calvary, with the rank of major, and went to Dakota, where he served as medical director on the staff of General Sully, a son of the noted painter, who was sent to that section to quell the Indian outbreaks.  When the war was over the Doctor was honorably discharged in November, 1865, and returned to Cedar Rapids.  He has practiced very little since then except among old friends.

At Moscow, Hillsdale county, Michigan, Dr. Camburn was married, December 27, 1848, to Miss Eleanor Blackmar, who was born near Buffalo, New York, a daughter of Judge Lyman Blackmar, who was one of the early settlers of Hillsdale county, and a prominent probate judge for many years.  Four children blessed this union, namely: Thomas A.; James F. and Myron O., both residents of Cedar Rapids, and Eleanor C., wife of Charles L. Martin, of St. Louis, Missouri.  The wife and mother departed this life July 21, 1891.  Originally, Dr. Camburn was an old Jacksonian Democrat, but voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and has since been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, but never a politician in the sense of office seeking.  He served as justice of the peace for about fifteen years, but never would accept other political positions.  He assisted in organizing the Grand Army Post, of Cedar Rapids, of which he was the first commander.  Prior to the Civil war he also affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, having joined that order in Michigan, being a member of the blue lodge, chapter and council.  At Iowa City, Iowa, he became a Knight Templar, and with one exception, he is the oldest Knight Templar now living in Cedar Rapids.  For some years, however, he has not actively affiliated with the order.  In manner he is courteous, kindly and affable, and those who know him personally have for him warm regard.  As a pioneer he has witnessed almost the entire growth and development of Cedar Rapids, and has always taken an active interest in its welfare.

Source: The Biographical Record of Linn County Iowa, Illustrated, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1901, pages 116-118.

Submitted by: Carrie J. Robertson of Marion

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GEORGE P. CARPENTER, M. D. 

Dr. Carpenter, who is the oldest medical practitioner in Cedar Rapids, has that love for and devotion to his profession which has brought to him success and secured him a place among the ablest representatives of the medical fraternity in this section of the state.  He was born in Lancaster, Ohio, September 21, 1846, and is a son of Dr. Paul and Mary (Fetters) Carpenter.  On the paternal side his ancestors came from Holland in colonial days, and representatives of the family bore a prominent part in the Revolutionary war and the war of 1812.  The Fetters family is of German origin and was founded in Ohio at an early day.

Dr. Paul Carpenter, our subject’s father, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and when a young man began the study of law with James Buchanan, afterward president of the United States, but not liking that profession he ran away from home and located in Lancaster, Ohio, where he took up the study of medicine, later becoming one of the foremost physicians and surgeons in that part of the state.  For forty-five years he was successfully engaged in practice in Lancaster, and there died in 1880, at the age of seventy.  He was a prominent Mason and served as eminent grand commander of the state for twenty years.  As a Republican he took an active interest in political affairs, but could never be prevailed upon to accept office.  Religiously both he and the mother of our subject were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.  The latter died in Lancaster, Ohio, at the age of thirty-five years.  Of their five children our subject is the second in order of birth and the only survivor.  The father was twice married, his first wife being Mary Cannon, by whom he had two children, both living, namely: Henry W., a physician of Lancaster, Ohio; and Mary Ellen, wife of W. J. Carty, of Columbus, Ohio.

Dr. George P. Carpenter obtained his early education in the schools of his native place, and was graduated from the high school of that city at the age of fifteen years.  He then entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, where he pursued a literary course and was graduated in 1865.  He commenced the study of medicine under the able direction of his father, and later attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati, where he was graduated in March, 1868, at the age of twenty-two years.  While yet a student he spent one year in an army hospital with his brother, Dr. H. W. Carpenter, who was a surgeon in the army.  There were from twelve hundred to eighteen hundred patients in the hospital the entire time, and there he gained a good practical knowledge of medicine and surgery, which was of great benefit to him in his subsequent career.

Immediately after graduation Dr. Carpenter came to Cedar Rapids, arriving here on the 4^th of April, 1868, and at once opened an office.  The city at that time contained a population of only three thousand, and he has therefore witnessed almost its entire growth and development.  Two years after locating here he entered into partnership with Dr. E. L. Mansfield, and together they engaged in practice for five years, but with that exception Dr. Carpenter has always been alone.  He has always engaged in general practice, but of late years has given special attention to surgery and has performed many notable operations.

On the 1^st of July, 1869, in Delaware, Ohio, Dr. Carpenter was united in marriage with Miss Delia Fant, a native of that state and a daughter of Rev. S. Fant, who was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and one of the pioneer clergymen of that section.  By this union were born four children, namely: Laura, wife of A. S. Smith, of Chicago; Alice, at home; Paul F., a resident of Los Angeles, California; and George B., a student in the high school of Cedar Rapids.  The wife and mother died March 31, 1897, and was laid to rest in the Oak Hill cemetery of Cedar Rapids.

In his political affiliations Dr. Carpenter is a Republican.  Religiously he is one of the leading and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as steward and trustee for thirty years.  Fraternally he is a member of Mt. Herman Lodge, No. 263, F. & . M., and Trowel Chapter, No. 49, R. A. M., and also orders.  He is medical examiner of the Northwestern Life Insurance Company, of Milwaukee, and treasurer of the Iowa Union Medical Society, of which he is a member.  He is also a member of the American Medical Society, the Tri-State Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society, and the Cedar Rapids Medical Society, and has been a member of the staff of St. Luke’s hospital since it was founded fifteen years ago.  He stands high in his profession and enjoys the personal friendship of a number of the most noted physician of the United States.  The Doctor is widely and favorably known, and it is safe to say that no man in Linn county has more friends or is held in higher regard than he.  He has a very fine collection of relics and curios gathered from all parts of the world.

Source: The Biographical Record of Linn County Iowa, Illustrated, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1901, pages 190-4.

Submitted by: Carrie J. Robertson of Marion

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DR. S. D. CARPENTER, M.D.

Dr. S. D. Carpenter came to Cedar Rapids in 1849. He practiced medicine for some time in company, first with Dr. Mansfield, and then with Dr. S. C. Koontz. During our late war he served his country as surgeon in the army, continuing in the service from the beginning of the struggle till the close. 

In later years, however, he gave up the practice of his profession and devoted his energies to the building of railroads. For many years after leaving here he resided in Ottumwa, of this state, but finally moved to Louisiana and engaged in the lumber business. 

On July 6, 1850 he was married to Miss Sarah Weare, who came to Cedar Rapids in the autumn of 1846. This lady had enjoyed the advantages of a good education and was one of our earliest and best school teachers. In society she always held a very high place. Refined and genteel in manners, and intelligent and lively in conversation, she was always a bright light in the social circles in which she moved. She died after a protracted and painful illness, in St. Louis, March 8, 1889. She had always been an active member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and took a lively interest in its prosperity. 

Dr. and Mrs. Carpenter were the parents of four children: Catharine G., wife of the late J. Asbury Taylor; Mary L., wife of A. G. Harrow; Sarah A., wife of William D. Elliot, and Ralph Weare, who died August 22, 1891. The daughters are all residents of Ottumwa, Iowa.

Source: Carroll, Rev. George R., Pioneer Life In and Around Cedar Rapids, Iowa from 1839 to 1849, pages 135-136, Times Printing and Binding House, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1895.

Submitted by: Terry Carlson

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Washington Benjamin Carpenter (from the 1911 History)

Washington Benjamin Carpenter was for many years identified with farming interests and although now living retired, making his home in Marion, is still the owner of a valuable and productive farm of four hundred and eighty-five acres, situated about five miles north of the. city in which he lives. lie was born in Delaware county, New York, and is a son of David P. and Rachel (Brownell) Carpenter. The father always resided in his native state. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, serving with the rank of captain, while two of his brothers, George and Thomas Carpenter, were soldiers in the Revolutionary war.

Washington B. Carpenter is one of a family of thirteen children but only he and his brother Caleb, a resident of Pennsylvania, now survive. He attended the common schools and worked on the home farm with his father in his youthful days but thinking that his opportunities were limited by the confines of the farm, he afterward went to New York city, where he remained for eleven years, which brought him up to the time that he was thirty-five years of age. He then left the east and, making his way to Iowa, settled at Mount Vernon, where he purchased two hundred and seventy-five acres and began the development of a new farm. Later he located on the place which he now owns in the vicinity of Marion, in 1870. Year after year he carefully tilled the fields, bringing the place under a high state of cultivation and became, through judicious investment, the owner of four hundred and eighty-five acres of valuable land, which he continued to cultivate with gratifying success until about fifteen years ago, when he turned the active work of the farm over to others and took up his abode in Marion. He has the proud record of raising the finest steer ever produced in the state, it weighing thirty-six hundred pounds in Chicago when four years old.

Mr. Carpenter was married on the 21st of March, 1852, to Miss Frances Mason, and unto them were born three children. Alfred M., the eldest, is a farmer of this county, who married Alice Simpson, and unto them were born eight children: Blanch, the wife of Robert Larry; Florence, the wife of Lou Mattis, by whom she has one child, Louie; Frances, the wife of Andrew Falcon, and the mother of two children, Gladys and Norman; Emily, the wife of Alfred Busenbark; one child, a boy, who died in infancy; Pearl, the wife of Marion Owen, by whom she has a daughter, Alice; Cora, the wife of Sumner Jordan and the mother of a daughter, Isabel; and Donald. After the death of his first wife, Alfred M. Carpenter wedded Marjorie Goodbye, and their children are Dorothy arid Charlotte. Claud C. Carpenter, the second son of W. B. Carpenter, married Miss Elizabeth Beall, and their children are: W. B., at home; Belle, the wife of Joseph Napier; Clinton C., attending college in Ames, Iowa; and Ralph, at home. For his second wife Claud C. Carpenter chose Stella Stinson and they have four children, Frances, Mary, Howard and Irene. Cora, the third child of W. B. Carpenter, is the wife of Charles Herr. They had a daughter, Louise, now deceased. After losing his first wife Mr. Carpenter of this review wedded Elizabeth Cooper, a native of County Down, Ireland.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Carpenter is a Mason and has attained the Knight Templar degree. He has always been interested in the welfare of the community and has aided in promoting its moral progress as a member of the Methodist church. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank at Marion and is still one of its directors. He belongs to the Old Settlers Association and takes an active interest in its meetings and in recalling the early days when this was a pioneer district in which the work of improvement and development had scarcely begun. Through his business life he took an active part in promoting the agricultural progress of the county and he has been an interested witness of its growth along many lines since coming to the county more than four decades ago.

Source: History of Linn County Iowa, From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Vol. II, Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company, 1911, p. 332-5.

Contributed by Terry Carlson

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WASHINGTON B. CARPENTER (from the 1901 History)

The subject of this personal narration is one of the most successful and progressive farmers of Marion township, though his home is in the city of Marion on Seventh avenue west.  He was born in Delaware county, New York, on the 27^th of October, 1829, and is a son of David P. and Rachel (Brownell) Carpenter, the former also a native of the Empire state and the latter of Rutland, Vermont.  The father was a farmer by occupation and was an officer in the war of 1812, receiving a land warrant for his services.  He had two brothers, William and Charles, who fought for American independence as soldiers of the Revolutionary war.  Both he and his wife were active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as class leader for many years.  He died in New York at the age of sixty-four years, and she passed away at the age of fifty-four.  Of their thirteen children our subject is probably the only survivor, though his brother Caleb, who has not been heard of for years, may be still living in Pennsylvania.

During his boyhood Washington B. Carpenter attended the district schools of his native state, but his educational advantages were meager.  His training at farm labor, however, was not so limited and he early acquired an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits.  Before coming west he was employed in a wholesale store in New York city for eight or nine years.  In March, 1864, he arrived in Mt. Vernon, Linn county, Iowa, and was first engaged in farming in Franklin township, where he purchased land.  In his farming operation he has met with most excellent success, and is now the owner of a fine farm of four hundred and seventy-five acres of land in Marion township, all of which is under a high state of cultivation with the exception of a small tract of timber land.  He has an orchard upon his place, but most of the land is planted in corn and oats.  He raises a high grade of thoroughbred cattle, and raised the finest steer ever  produced in the state, it weighing thirty-six hundred pounds in Chicago when four years old.  He owns two farms, one of which he rents, while the other is operated by hired help.

On the 21^st of March, 1852, Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage with Miss Frances A. Mason, also a native of New York, and a daughter of R. W. and S. M. Mason, who came to Mt. Vernon, Iowa, about 1850.  By occupation her father was a farmer.  Of his twelve children three sons were among the boys in blue of the Civil war.  L. H., who had previously served as sheriff of this county, was a quartermaster in the service and died about twelve hours after his return home.  E. R., now a resident of Marion, was a lieutenant, and was held a prisoner at Andersonville for six months.  John C. entered the service as a corporal, and was severely wounded in the battle of Shiloh, after which he returned home.  He has been sergeant at arms at the capitol in Des Moines, and is now serving as justice of the peace in Greenfield, Iowa.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter were born three children: (1) Alfred M., a farmer of Marion township, Linn county, married, first, Alice D. Simpson, and they had seven children, Blanche, Florence, Frances, Pearl, Emily, Cora and Earl.  In 1897 she died, and in April, 1899, he married Mrs. Marjorie Goodlove, and they have one child, Dorothy.  (2) Claud C., an extensive farmer and cattle dealer living a mile east of Marion, married, first, Libbie Belle, and they had five children: Daisy, who died young; Belle; Benjamin; Clinton and Ralph.  In 1893 she passed away, and for his second wife he married Stella Stinson, in 1899, and they have one child, Frances Beulah.  (3) Cora A. married Charles Heer and died in 1887, at the age of twenty-four years.  With her was buried her daughter, Louise, who died at the same time, aged two years.  Our subject and his wife have three great-grandchildren: Lewis Matthews, Earl Lary and Alice Thompson.

Since her girlhood days Mrs. Carpenter has been an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and she is also a member of the Chautauqua Society.  Mr. Carpenter is a Knight Templar Mason, and is one of the most prominent and highly esteemed citizens of Marion.  In business affairs he is upright and honorable and his life has ever been such as to commend him to the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact either in business or social affairs.

Source: The Biographical Record of Linn County Iowa, Illustrated, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1901, pages 116-118.

Submitted by: Carrie J. Robertson of Marion

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Colonel Charles A. Clark

Among the prominent attorneys and influential citizens of Cedar Rapids is Colonel Charles A. Clark, who devoted the opening years of his manhood to the defense of our country from the internal foes who sought its dismemberment, and his gallant service on field of battle won for him distinctive preferment in military circles. He was born in Sangerville, Maine, on the 26th of January, 1841, and belongs to a family which was founded in this country by Hugh Clark, who came from England in 1640 and located in Massachusetts. William G. Clark, the Colonel's father was a life-long resident of the old Pine Tree state, and a prominent lawyer, who was noted for his great oratorical ability. As a speaker he took a very active and influential part in the national campaigns, and was one of the leading politicians of the Whig party in his state. 

In 1855 he was secretary of the state senate of Maine, when Hon. James G. Blaine and Chief Justice Fuller were members of that body, the latter being at that time editor of the Augusta Argus, the leading Democratic paper of the state. Throughout his active business career Mr. Clark continued to follow the legal profession and died in Sangerville of typhoid fever at the age of forty-two years, honored and respected by all who knew him. In early life he married Miss Elizabeth White Stevens, a daughter of Dr. Whiting Stevens, who for over half a century successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in Limerick, York county, Maine. The Stevens family was of English origin and among the early Puritans who came to this country. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark were born eleven children, of whom the Colonel is third in order of birth. The four oldest sons were soldiers of the Civil war and all were wounded, while one was killed in battle, and another died from the effects of his wounds several years after the close of the war. Of the four our subject and his brother Frank A. are still living. He has four other brothers namely: George E. and Eugene H., both prominent lawyers of Algona, Iowa; William G., who is now engaged in practice with our subject; and Frank A., who has served in the second auditor's office in the United States treasury for many years. The mother of these children died in Algona, Iowa, at the age of sixty-eight years.

During his boyhood and youth, Colonel Clark attended the Sangerville public schools and the Foxcroft Academy of Maine, where he pursued a literary course fitting himself for Harvard University, but when the Civil war broke out he laid aside his books and entered the service of his country, enlisting in April, 1861, as a private in Company A, Sixth Maine Volunteer Infantry. For his meritorious service and bravery on field of battle he won promotion rapidly, and was soon made adjutant of the regiment. Later he was successively commissioned captain and assistant adjutant-general, brevet-major and lieutenant colonel. 

While serving as adjutant he received a congressional medal of honor by saving his regiment from capture through his personal gallantry and skill at Banks Ford, Virginia, just outside of Fredericksburg, May 4, 1863. He was severely wounded in a successful charge on the Confederate works at Rappahannock, November 7, 1863, when from his regiment sixteen out of the twenty-one officers that entered the charge were either killed or wounded, and in the official report it was recorded that Adjutant Clark fell "after he had driven his sword into an enemy" in the hand to hand contest which resulted in holding the works and capturing two thousand prisoners, seven pieces of artillery and five Confederate battle flags. 

He was also with his regiment in its successful charge upon the heights of Fredericksburg, May 3, 1863, a portion of Sedgwick's operation, while Hooker was engaged in the battle of Chancellorsville. Colonel Clark was in the successful charge upon the Confederate works at Petersburg, July 15, 1864, and upon Fort Harrison in front of Richmond, in September of the same year. He was with General Burnham, who led the victorious column, and received that commander in his arms when he fell mortally wounded within the assaulted fort. Thus Colonel Clark bore a conspicuous part in four out of the eleven successful charges made by the Union forces on earth works during the entire Civil war as recorded in Fox's work, "Regimental Losses." 

With exception of the first battle of Bull Run he participated in all of the important engagements in which the Army of the Potomac took part, including the battle of Yorktown, the "seven days' battles" in front of Richmond, under McClellan, the battle of Williamsburg, the second battle of Bull Run, and the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Brandy Station, Gettysburg and Rappahannock Station. He was in the command of General Butler during his operations around Petersburg and Richmond, and was with General Grant at the battle of Cold Harbor, where ten thousand men were lost before breakfast. 

He was with Baldy Smith in his successful charge on the works of Petersburg and the engagements around that stronghold and Richmond. Being broken down in health and suffering from the wounds he had received, Colonel Clark resigned in the fall of 1864 and returned to his old home in Maine, with a war record of which he may be justly proud.

The Colonel then took up the study of law with A. W. Paine, of Bangor, one of the foremost lawyers of the state. Taking Horace Greeley's advice, he came west in May, 1866, and located in Webster City, Hamilton county, Iowa, where he made his home for about ten years, enjoying a large and lucrative practice, which extended all over northwestern Iowa, taking in fifteen or twenty counties. As there were no railroads in that locality at that time he traveled over the territory either on horseback or with livery teams and in stage coaches. He was instrumental in getting the first railroad through, acting as attorney for John I. Blair, when he built what is now the Illinois Central from Iowa Falls to Sioux City.

In 1876 Colonel Clark came to Cedar Rapids and formed a partnership with Judge N. M. Hubbard, which connection lasted for ten years. He was then alone in practice until 1898, when he admitted his son James W., to partnership under the firm name of Charles A. Clark & Son, and now his youngest brother William G. Clark is also with them. During his residence here the Colonel has been interested in much of the important litigation of the state, either on one side or the other, and has practiced in the United States courts of half a dozen other states; in the United States supreme court at Washington, D. C., since 1880; and in the United States circuit court of appeals since its establishment. He has argued in person a large number of important cases in the United States supreme court. He is a man who thoroughly loves his profession, and is eminently gifted with the capabilities of mind which are indispensable at the bar. He is also a man of deep research and careful investigation, and his skill and ability have won for him an extensive practice. He has a very valuable and complete law library.

On the 19th of December, 1863, in Sangerville, Maine, Colonel Clark was united in marriage with Miss Helen E. Brockway, a native of that town and a schoolmate of our subject. Her father, Cyrus Brockway, was a prominent and prosperous manufacturer, proprietor of Brockway's Mills at Sangerville, and a representative of an old pioneer family of that locality. He had four children of whom Mrs. Clark is the youngest. Of the seven children born to the Colonel and his wife one son died in infancy. Those living are Mary A., at home; Laura A., wife of Robert I. Safely, of Cedar Rapids, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume; Helen and Florence, both at home; James W., who married Miss Messer and is now engaged in the practice of law with his father; and Atherton B., who is attending the public schools of Cedar Rapids.

Fraternally Colonel Clark is a prominent member of the Loyal Legion and was commander of the order in this state in 1899 and 1900. He is also a member of the Medal of Honor Legion of Washington, D. C., and the Grand Army Post of Cedar Rapids. He now belongs to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic fraternity, and was master of the lodge at Webster City during his residence there. Formerly he was a Democrat in politics, but in 1896 and 1900 he supported William McKinley for the presidency. 

He has always taken a very active and prominent part in political affairs, and has made many addresses in every important campaign in Iowa during his residence here. The bar of Linn county made him their candidate for supreme judge in 1900, and he received a good support from lawyers all over the state but was not nominated, very much to his own satisfaction, as he prefers to give his entire time and attention to his extensive private practice. 

He served one term as mayor of Cedar Rapids, during which time he made many improvements in the city, especially as to its cleanliness, driving the horses and cows from the streets, and the pig pens from the back yards. It is but just and merited praise to say that as a lawyer Colonel Clark ranks among the ablest in the state, and as a citizen is honorable, prompt and true to every engagement. It is not alone because of special prominence at the bar that he has, and is justly entitled to, the respect and confidence of his fellow men, for his personal qualities are such as to make him loved and honored. He is a worthy representative of that class to whom more than to any other is due the continued growth and prosperity of many thriving cities of the west.

Source: Biographical Record of Linn County, Iowa. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1901, p. 76-81.

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Francis J. Cleveland

Francis J. Cleveland, who since January, 1907, has capably discharged the duties devolving upon him in the capacity of county auditor of Linn county, is numbered among the worthy native sons of this county, his birth having occurred in Marion on the 14^th day of January, 1868. His parents were David and Sarah (Carver) Cleveland. The father, who was engaged in business as a carpenter contractor, came to this state from Washington county, New York, in early manhood. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in defense of the Union, becoming a member of Company K, Twenty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served throughout the entire period of hostilities. After being honorably discharged from the army he went to Johnson county, Iowa, but soon afterward took up his abode in this county. Here he resumed work at his trade and thus remained an active factor in industrial circles of Marion until the time of this death, which occurred in November, 1872. His widow is living at the age of sixty-seven years in Marion and still enjoys good health. Unto them were born two children, namely: Mrs. Caroline Kerr, residing in Ramona, California; and Francis J., of this review.

Francis J. Cleveland attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education and after putting aside his text-books secured a position in the First National Bank of Marion, while later he entered the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank and next became employed in the Mount Vernon Bank. He afterward re-entered the First National Bank at Marion, remaining in the service of that institution until 1903, when he was appointed deputy auditor of Linn county. After acting in that capacity for four years he was elected county auditor, in which office he has remained the efficient incumbent since January , 1907.

In July 1895, Mr. Cleveland was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Walter, a daughter of B. F. and Abbey (Schenck) Walter, of Mount Vernon. They are now the parents of four children: Lester Francis, Walter Newell, Elizabeth Grace, and Grover, born February 9, 1910.

Mr. Cleveland is a worthy examplar of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge, the chapter, the commandery and the shrine. He is likewise identified with the Knights of Pythias and also belongs to the Presbyterian church, in the work of which the members of his family take an active and helpful part. As a citizen he is public spirited and whatever tends to promote the best interests of the community receives his endorsement and hearty support. He has spent his entire life in this county and is therefore widely and favorably known, commanding the high regard of all with whom he has been associated.

Source: History of Linn County Iowa, From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Vol. II, Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company, 1911, p.57-58

Submitted by: Terry J. Carlson

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GEORGE A. COBBAN 

George A. Cobban has been one of the important factors in the business circles of Marion, Iowa, for many years, and his life is an exemplification of the term “the dignity of labor.”  The possibilities that the United States offers to her citizens he has utilized, and though he came to this country a poor boy he has steadily and perseveringly worked his way upward, leaving the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few.

Mr. Cobban was born on the 8^th of May, 8134, in Iverness, Canada East, a son of Robert and Mary (Anderson) Cobban, both of whom were natives of Scotland, and the latter a daughter of Captain Anderson, of Aberdeen.  In early life the father of our subject was connected with a publishing house of that city, and for a number of years was editor of the Aberdeen Chronicle.  In 1830 he emigrated to Canada, where he followed farming throughout the remainder of his life.  Both he and his wife died there, our subject being only eight years old when the mother passed away.  In the family were eleven children, namely: John A., Robert, William F., Mary Ann, Julia, Jessie, George A., Charles, Joseph, Simon and Joanna.  Only four of the number are now living.

Being an ambitious lad George A. Cobban asked his father’s permission to come to the United States when fifteen years of age, but was told that he was too young to start out in life for himself.  Being given a small piece of land to work, he made fifty cents from the products he raised thereon, and with this capital he decided to come to the United States.  Accordingly one night in June, 1851, he left home to seek his fortune, having first told his sister Jessie, who prepared him a lunch.  The following day he walked thirty miles before sunset, and spent the night in a tavern.  The second day he traveled forty miles, and after sleeping all night on the floor of an inn he walked thirty miles on the third day, arriving at Derby, on the Vermont line, at sundown.  After buying five cents worth of crackers he found that he had only ten cents of his half-dollar remaining.  He started out to look for work, but found none and slept that night on the floor of the Derby House.  He was told by the clerk that there was a farmer living ten miles from town who was in need of a boy, and without a bite to eat he started for the place, only to find that the place had already been taken.  He inquired for work at different places along the way, but found none.  At length becoming discourages, as well as tired and hungry, he entered a field where a man was plowing, and again asked for employment.  On being told that the man had no work for him he broke down, and large tears rolled down his cheeks.  The kind-hearted farmer then questioned him, and on learning his story took him to the house and gave him something to eat.  Mr. Cobban offered his last ten cents for the meal.  On reaching town the hotel clerk told him that Colonel Kilbourne, across the line in Canada, might give him work, although he disliked to return to Canada he saw that this was his only chance and again started out.  He was hired for one month at six dollars, and at the end of that time was persuaded to stay a few months longer at seven dollars per month.

Having saved twenty dollars from his wages, Mr. Cobban started for Boston on the 1^st of October, 1850.   He walked the first day to McEndos Falls, a distance of thirty miles, then the terminus of the Vermont Central Railroad.  He met some boys who told him that there was a lumber train going that night to Wells River, fifteen miles below, and if he waited he could ride on the lumber.  He had never seen a railroad or a car previous to this time.  He rode to Wells River, and was not discovered by the conductor until arriving at that place.  The following morning he decided to proceed to Boston, but arrived at the depot just in time to see the train pull out.  He ran after it a short distance, calling for it to stop, but as it failed to heed him he had to wait until the next morning.  On reaching Boston he purchased some, new clothes, and then took a train for West Newbury, Massachusetts, where his brother William was living.  He remained with him a short time and attended school.  The following spring he joined his brother John, in Holliston, that state, and there worked one year pegging brogands at five dollars per month for the first six months, and ten dollars per month for the remaining time.  Mr. Cobban next found employment cutting sole leather in a shoe factory, and from that time on he has steadily prospered, until he is to-day one of the most substantial and prominent business men of his community.  He served for some time as foreman of a large boot and shoe factory in the east.

At the age of twenty Mr. Cobban visited his old home in Canada, and spent one evening with his father’s family without being known, so much had he changed in the years of his absence.  In 1860 he went to Scotland to see his relatives there, but not meeting with a kindly reception he soon returned a wiser and happier man.  His relatives there belonged to the aristocratic classes, and did not take very kindly to American ideas. While calling on his mother’s sister, he was asked what profession he followed, and on his replying that he was only a mechanic, he was told that he need not take the trouble to call again.  He was glad to return to a country where any honest occupation was respected and where there was no such false ideas of respectability.

The shoe firm for whom Mr. Cobban worked failed in 1861 and he was compelled to take notes for the amount due him at that time.  He had previously saved three hundred dollars, and with that and what was due him he had intended to embark in business for himself.  He was greatly disappointed therefore on being unable to obtain the latter amount, but not discouraged.  He decided to come to Iowa and select some growing town  where he believed he could succeed in business.  Believing that Marion would prove a good location, he bought about fifteen hundred dollars worth of boots and shoes on time and shipped the same to Cedar Rapids.  The freight charges on the goods amounted to fifty-two dollars, and as he had only seventeen dollars, he proposed to leave a part of the stock as security in Mr. Bever’s warehouse, but that gentleman being a good judge of human nature told Mr. Cobban he could take all his goods and give him a due bill for the amount, which our subject paid two days later.  By extensive advertising and close attention to business he met all his obligations in this way before the bills were due, and built up a large and prosperous business.  He removed his store to Cedar Rapids in 1880, but has always made his home in Marion, and continued in active business until 1889, being one of the largest wholesale boot and shoe dealers in Iowa.  He also employed several shoemakers and in this way placed a large amount of custom-made shoes on the market.  Since 1889 he has been interested in Butte, Montana, real estate, loans and mining, and in this undertaking has been also successful.  He also deals largely in Cedar Rapids property, and is one of the leading business men of Linn county.

On the 16^th of November, 1865, Mr. Cobban was united in marriage with Miss Marcia B. Todd, of St. Stephens, New Brunswick.  Her father was Hon. William Todd, a highly respected and prominent citizen of that place, and a life-long member of the provincial parliament.  He was appointed by the Queen as member of the executive council of the Confederation of Provinces, but owing to ill health never accepted.  He was largely interested in railroads and other business enterprises, and was president of the St. Stephens Bank and of the New Brunswick & Canada Railroad.  He died August 5, 1873, at the age of seventy years.  Mr. and Mrs. Cobban are the parents of five children, namely: Harry, born October 29, 1869, died at the age of seven and a half years; Mabel, born July 6, 1871, died at the age of one and a half; Neva L., born July 2, 1873, is the wife of H. S. Scampton, who lives with our subject and is an engineer on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad; Alice M., born May 5, 1879 is at home; and George T., born May 8, 1880, is now at home.

Mr. Cobban built his present home in Marion in 1866, and has since made a number of additions and improvements to the place.  He also erected a brick business block in that city in 1872, and has been prominently identified with the growth and development of the place.  In his religious views he is liberal and in politics is an ardent Republican.  Coming to the United States without capital he deserves great credit for his success in life.  He has always made the most of his opportunities, and by straightforward, honorable dealing has secured the public confidence and the public patronage.  He has accumulated a handsome property, and his life illustrates what can be accomplished through industry, perseverance, good management and a determination to succeed.

Source: The Biographical Record of Linn County Iowa, Illustrated, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1901, pages 84-6.

Submitted by: Carrie J. Robertson of Marion

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John Cone

John Cone, ex-sheriff of Linn county and an honored veteran of the Civil war, is now living a retired life at his pleasant home, No. 998 Eleventh street, Marion. He was born in this county, November 2, 1841, his parents being Norris and Ann (Blakslee) Cone, natives of Connecticut and pioneers of Iowa. In the east the father worked as a farmer and mechanic, being employed in a wooden comb factory a part of the time. He lived for a time in Hendersonville, Illinois, and in the winter of 1838-9 came to Linn county, Iowa, locating first on a farm four miles southeast of Marion. On selling that place he bought another farmer on the Mt. Vernon road, where he made his home until his removal to Marion on the 1st of march, 1854. He assisted his sons in the painting business for fifteen years thereafter and then lived retired until his death. For many years he was a deacon in the Baptist church, of which both he and his wife were life-long members, and they were people of the highest respectability. He was born in 1808, and died in 1885, while she was born in 1810 and passed away in 1883.

Of their seven children the two oldest were born in Connecticut, the others in this county. (1) Byron, a lather by trade, and a resident of Marion, enlisted in 1862 in Company F., Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and after serving two years was discharged for disability. (2) Oliver B., like our subject, enlisted in 1861 in Company K, Ninth Iowa Regiment, and was shot in the battle of Pea Ridge after serving six months. At the end of a year he was discharged for disability and never regained his health, though he worked at the tinner's trade for a time and engaged in other pursuits, but lived retired mostly. He died in May, 1899, at the age of sixty-five years. (3) George W., a resident of Marion, was the first white child born in this county, his natal day being April 12, 1839. (4) John is next in order of birth. (5) Laura A. is the wife of Joseph Starbuck, who has a paint and paper store on Fifth avenue, Marion. (6) Lucius L. was taken ill while in the employ of the private bank of Judge Green, at Cedar Rapids, and returned to his home in Marion, where he died January 10, 1871, at the age of twenty-three years. (7) Norris R., born in February, 1850, died in 1880.

While living on the home farm during his boyhood John Cone had to walk two and one-half miles to the nearest school. His education, however, was completed in the schools of Marion. At the age of sixteen years he learned the trade of painting and paper hanging, which he continued to follow until six months before he entered the army. It was on the 14th of September, 1861, that he enlisted as a private in Company K, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Captain D. Carskaddon and Colonel William Vandever to serve three years or during the war. He was promoted to corporal and later to sergeant and participated in the following engagements: Sugar Creek, February 17, 1862; Pea Ridge, March 5 to 8, where he was wounded in the head by a minie ball; Chickasaw Bayou, Mississippi, December 28 and 29, where he was again wounded, this time in the left foot by a piece of shell; Arkansas Post, January 11, 1863; Jackson, Mississippi, May 14; siege of Vicksburg, from May 18 to July 4; Lookout Mountain, November 24; Missionary Ridge, November 25; and Ringgold, Georgia, December 27. He was discharged December 31, 1863, by reason of his reenlistment as a veteran January 1, 1864, in the same company and regiment. Later he was in the battles of Resaca, May 13-15, 1864; Dallas, May 27-30; Kenesaw Mountain, June 9; Chattahoochie River, July 6-10; Decatur, July 24; Atlanta, July 22-28; Jonesboro, August 30; Savannah; Columbia; and Bentonville. During the Atlanta campaign he was under fire almost constantly for one hundred days and nights. After the siege of Vicksburg, his regiment was a part of General Logan's corps, in General Sherman's army. Mr. Cone participated in the grand review at Washington, D. C., in May, 1865, and was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, July 24, 1865, after almost four years of active service on southern battle-fields.

Returning to his home in Marion, Mr. Cone resumed work at his trade, which he continued to follow until appointed deputy sheriff January 1, 1890. He held that position until the fall of 1896, when he was elected sheriff of the county by a majority of two thousand four hundred and sixteen votes. So acceptably did he fill the office that he was re-elected by a handsome majority and continued to serve until January 1, 1900. During that time he never had to administer capital punishment, although he felt that several who were sent to the penitentiary deserved hanging. Since his retirement from office he has lived a retired life. He has also served as a member of the city council and on the school board for many years, and his official duties have always been most capably and satisfactorily performed.

While home on a thirty days' veteran furlough during the war Mr. Cone was married in Marion, March 2, 1864, to Miss Caroline Mitchell, also a native of Linn county, and a representative of one of its prominent old families. Her parents were Matthew and Mary Mitchell, natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania, respectively. His people were the first of the family to come to America, but later many of their relatives came to this country. During his residence in Linn county Matthew Mitchell followed teaming and various other occupations as were needed in earlier pioneer days. He and his two oldest sons entered the army together, enlisting in July, 1861, in Company A. Sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of Shiloh he was wounded in the foot, and lay on the battle-field for three days and two nights, but was finally picked up and taken on a hospital boat to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he died in 1862, at the age of forty-five years, being laid to rest in the national cemetery there. His wife died of cancer in 1882 at the age of fifty-six. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and most estimable people. In their family were the following children: (1) Robert E. born in 1841, enlisted as a private in Company A, Sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Hosea W. Gray. Later was promoted to sergeant, and was killed while leading the third charge at Missionary Ridge in 1863. For bravery on the battle-field at Jackson, Mississippi, he was brevetted a lieutenant and soon after his death the papers were received by his family. He was a young man of fine physical appearance and wonderful promise. Robert Mitchell Post, G. A. R., of Marion, is named in his honor. (2) John K. served three years in the Union army, but did not re-enlist, as his father and brother had answered to the roll call in the great beyond, and he went home to care for his mother and sisters. He was only seventeen years of age when he participated in the battle of Shiloh. He married Susie Sayers and lives in Waseca, Minnesota. For thirty-six years he has been in the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and is now a passenger engineer. (3) Caroline, wife of our subject, is next in order of birth. (4) Margaret died at the age of ten months. (5) Elizabeth is the wife of Elias Cope, of Philadelphia; Josephine is the wife of Andrew Grant, a grain and stock dealer of Iowa; and Elisha is a painter of Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Cone are the parents of four children, namely: Maud L. is the wife of A. E. Chislett, of Denver, Colorado; Lucia May is the wife of F. A. Shumack, proprietor of the principal store of Marion, and they have one child, Caroline, the joy and pride of the home; Jessie Plummer is attending St. Joseph's Academy in Cedar Rapids; and John Jr., is attending the high school of Marion.

In his social relations Mr. Cone is a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 6, of Marion; the Modern Woodmen of America; and the Modern Brotherhood. He is also a charter member of the Grand Army Post and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Marion, and has filled all the chairs in the latter lodge. Politically he has been an ardent Republican since the organization of that party, having been a member of the "Wide Awakes" and carried a torch in the parades when John C. Fremont ran for president in 1856. His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. His duties of citizenship have always been most faithfully and conscientiously performed, and his patriotism has been manifest in the days of peace as well as in time of war.

Source: The Biographical Record of Linn County Iowa, Illustrated, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1901, pages 20-23.

Submitted by: Terry Carlson

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CHARLES C. COOK

Captain Charles C. Cook, being one of the earliest settlers of the country, deserves honorable mention in these reminiscences of primitive times in Linn county. He was a half brother of the writer, and came to the country at the same time. 

Personally, Mr. Cook was a man of fine physique, six feet and one inch in height, and in his earlier years, of a ruddy countenance, his hair of such as made him remarkable for his strength and power of endurance. In his later years, however, his health gave way under the pressure of the extreme hardships through which he had passed, and for years before his death he suffered a great deal from his bodily infirmities. 

He was a man of unbounded ambition and unconquerable energy. He never favored himself in the least, and he never shrank from any undertaking, no matter how arduous, if he saw that the interests of the town and the general public good could be advanced by it. He performed an immense amount of hard work for which he received no remuneration, except the consciousness that he had acted honestly and earnestly for the best good of the community in which his lot was cast.

His education was limited, but he had a bright intellect, and he had learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience, of which he made good use in his busy, restless life. He was naturally very diffident, but his intense interest in his public affairs overcame this natural bent of his character to some extent, and not infrequently his voice was heard in public assemblies advocating those measures and principles which he deemed were for the interests of the people. 

The railroads, the public highways, the manufacturing interests, the schools and the churches always found in him a warm advocate and a ready helper. In the opening up of the boulevard from Cedar Rapids to Marion, he took a very active part, laboring incessantly from the time of its inception, till it became an accomplished fact. 

In the time of the war he raised a company and entered with enthusiasm into the service of his country. Here, as he was wont to do, he forgot himself in his anxiety for the welfare of his men, and in a few months after he entered the service he was stricken down with a disease that came very near terminating his life. His wife, however, going to his relief was able finally to get him home, but with a constitution shattered beyond recovery. But his unconquerable will kept him moving about until a few days before his death. His busy life and his well fought battle, came to an end March 5, 1880.  

His wife Emily, daughter of Hon. L. M. Strong, Marion’s first settler, survived her husband only a few years longer. She died August 8, 1889, honored and loved by all who knew her. She and her husband were members of the First Presbyterian church. Mr. Cook was a native of Niagara county, New York, his birth occurring May 2, 1822, and his wife was born in Ohio. 

They were the parents of four children, George F. and Henry A., who were twins; Kittie and Charles. George having enlisted in the regular army, died a number of years ago in Dakota, and Kittie died several years later in this place. The whereabouts of Charles is unknown, but he is supposed to have died on his way to California several years since. Henry A. is the editor and publisher of the Denison Bulletin.

Source: Carroll, Rev. George R., Pioneer Life In and Around Cedar Rapids, Iowa from 1839 to 1849, pages 140-142, Times Printing and Binding House, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1895.

Submitted by: Terry Carlson

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Hon. Isaac Cook

The first lawyer to locate permanently in this place was Mr. Isaac Cook.  He was a native of Chester Co., Pa.  His first move to the West was to Palmyra, Mo., in 1844, where he completed his legal studies and was admitted to the bar. In 1846 he went to Dubuque, and from that place came to Cedar Rapids in 1848.

His ability as a lawyer was of the first order, and in 1857 he was elected judge of the district court, over which he presided with characteristic dignity and fidelity.  Finding the salary inadequate and caring but little for its honors he resigned after about one year’s service. He was remarkably modest and retiring in his disposition, and he had no taste for the complications and conflicts into which his profession naturally let him.  He was a man of the purest motives and the highest aspirations and conscientious and strictly honest in all his business transactions.  He could be trusted in any position and to any extent without the slightest concern that he would in any way betray the trust committed to his care. 

In the singular integrity and unswerving uprightness of his character, he had but few equals and no superiors. He was a member and office bearer in the First Presbyterian church of this place for some years, but subsequently removed his church relationship to Marion, that being more convenient to his farm home, where he spent the latter part of this life. His death occurred August 8, 1878. 

In 1851 he was married to Miss Luceba Brooks, several children being the issue of that union.  Mrs. Cook who is a woman of most amiable character still survives and resides with her children in Dakota. 

The old homestead of Judge Cook is now owned by his brother, Mr. William Cook, who came to the place in 1853, and who is one of our best known and highly respected citizens of Linn County.

Source: Carroll, Rev. George R., Pioneer Life In and Around Cedar Rapids, Iowa from 1839 to 1849, pages 160-161, Times Printing and Binding House, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1895.

Submitted by: Terry Carlson

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H. N. CRAEMER

H. N. Craemer, who for years figured prominently in connection with the dry-goods trade in Cedar Rapids, in which connection he built up a business of large and gratifying proportions, was born in Heidelberg, Germany, on the 11th of February, 1865. The father died in Germany and the mother afterward came to America when her son was only seven years of age. She first settled in St. Louis but subsequently H. N. Craemer went to Texas where he resided until 1893, when he returned to the north and located in Cedar Rapids, where he gave his attention to the dry-goods business as a member of the firm of Reps, Craemer & Company. He was thus engaged for five years, at the end of which time he disposed of his interest in the business and established an independent enterprise under his own name. In that connection he built up a large and gratifying trade, for he always carried a well selected line of goods and the methods pursued in the conduct of the store were such as commended him to the confidence and support of the general public. Ever fair and reliable in his dealings, his house became a synonym for commercial integrity and for progressiveness.

In April, 1892, Mr. Craemer was united in marriage to Josephine M. Martin, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Frank and Minnie (West) Smith, who were likewise natives of that state but both are now deceased. In their family were seven children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Craemer were born two children, Gertrude J., who is now attending school in St. Louis; and Nicholas Z., at home. Mrs. Craemer is still conducting the dry-goods business which was established by her husband, who on the 25th of August, 1908, was called from the activities of this life to the home beyond. He left the record of an honorable name as well as a substantial business, and during the fifteen years of his residence in Cedar Rapids won many friends who greatly esteemed him because of his genuine personal worth and his many substantial traits of character.

Source: History of Linn County Iowa, From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Vol. II, Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company, 1911, p. 50.

Contributed by Terry Carlson

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Edward M. Crow

Wherever there is pioneer work to be done, men of energy and ability are required, and success or failure depends upon the degree of those qualities that is possessed. In wresting the land of Linn county from its native wilderness; in fitting it for the habitation of men; in developing the natural resources of the community in which they lived, few if any contributed more than Edward M. Crow, who was the first white man to locate permanently in this county.

He was born in Paoli, Orange county, Indiana, June 4, 1816, a son of John and Mary (Millis) Crow, natives of North Carolina, who removed to Orange county, Indiana, in early life and were there married June 20, 1815. They continued their residence there until the spring of 1834, when they removed to Chicago, but as Joliet, Illinois, was then the most promising town they went to that place after spending one season in Chicago. Six months later, however, they removed to Kane county, the same state, locating near Geneva, where the mother died January 9, 1836. 

Later the father married Miss Docia Hill, of Naperville, Illinois, and in the spring of 1838, they came to Linn county, Iowa, locating east of the present town of Viola. There the father died March 3, 1841. His children were all by the first marriage and in order of birth were as follows: Edward M., our subject; Garrison C., who died in California, December 13, 1875; Wesley, who died in Grant county, Wisconsin, October 8, 1883; Nelson A., a banker and capitalist of St. Charles, Minnesota; Esther, who married Julius A. Peet and died in Jones county, Iowa, February 22, 1883; Nancy, who married Truman J. Peet and died in Buffalo township, Linn county, November 1, 1854; John, who died in Jones county, this state, November ?? 1873; and Mary, who wedded Charles C. White and died in California June 10, 1864.

Mr. Crow of this review was eighteen years of age when the family went to Chicago, and he accompanied his parents on their various removals until the autumn of 1835, when he returned to his native county and there attended school for one winter. Desiring to try his fortune farther west, he purchased a horse and on horseback went to Kane county, Illinois, where he remained until June 4, 1837, when he crossed the Mississippi and came to Linn county, Iowa. On the 4th of July he laid claim to a large tract of land on what is now sections 13 and 14, Brown township, east of where Viola now stands. 

He then returned to Fox River, Illinois, and shortly afterward, in company with James Dawson and his brother, Garrison Crow, purchased six yoke of cattle and made preparations to again come to Linn county. The little wagon train left Fox River in the latter part of August and arrived at their destination September 5, 1837. They built a shanty on Crow creek in Brown township, which stream was named by the United States surveyors in honor of Mr. Crow, who was living on its banks when they arrived. The little company immediately began cutting hay and making general preparations for the winter season.

Subsequently Edward Crow, in company with John Joslin, returned to Illinois after provisions to carry them through the winter. Being overtaken by a snowstorm, they left their teams at a Mr. Nye's on this side of the Mississippi. They crossed the river and traveled eastward about fifteen or twenty miles, where they bought corn, meat and other provisions, which were hauled to the river by hired teams. After having their corn ground at Mr. Nye's mill they started for the big woods on the Wapsie, but were overtaken by a heavy snowstorm at Cherry Grove and in order to reach their cabin had to wade through very deep snow. The following winter was intensely cold, long and dreary, and the privations endured by the little band of pioneers was exceedingly great. Snow lay about two feet deep on the level.

On the 22nd of February Mr. Crow was obliged to return to Illinois to meet his father and family, and the third day after starting they reached Black Dick's point, which was a small grove of timber. The trail was so bad that they could only travel about eight miles a day. The ice on the river was weakened by the January thaw, but had been somewhat strengthened by subsequent cold, but as it was then the latter part of February, the little band of travelers were fearful that it was not strong enough to bear the full weight of their ox teams, so they unhitched them and drew the wagon across the river with one ox, the other being led at a safe distance in the rear. Upon the island in the river they met a band of wood choppers who were cutting wood for steamboats. During their trip from Linn county to the Mississippi, however, they had only met one white man, a trapper by the name of Wheat. 

They proceeded on their journey to Prophetstown, Illinois, where they crossed the Rock river on the ice, meeting between two rivers only three white settlers. Near Pawpaw Grove, about twelve miles from the Rock river, they met a little cavalcade on sleds, which proved to be that of their parents. As the snow melted the following day the sledges were abandoned and the remainder of the journey was made by wagon. They followed the Rock river down to within four miles of its mouth, and crossed the Mississippi at Davenport, reaching home April 10, 1838. The father brought with him fifty head of cattle and about the same number of hogs, which were the first swine brought to the big woods.

Mr. Crow could relate many interesting incidents of pioneer life, when he was compelled to go to the lead mines at Galena, Illinois, for his mail, a distance of sixty miles, and had to pay twenty-five cents for each letter received. The trip was frequently made on foot. At one time he went to Davenport, fifty miles away, to get his plow sharpened and his coulter mended, so that he might continue his work of breaking prairie. The first grain he raised was sod corn and buckwheat, which he took to Thompson's mill on the Little Iowa river, five miles from Dubuque, but the mill was so imperfect that when ground the buckwheat could not be bolted. The trip was made with ox teams and required ten days. Mr. Crow being compelled to camp out on the way and carry food for himself and cattle. In crossing streams he frequently had to cut the ice or scatter old hag along and pour water over it and later freeze it to keep the cattle from slipping. On the other hand when there was no ice he had to built rafts to cross the stream.

In the spring of 1838, Mr. Crow commenced to improve his claim, but the following October he sold it and returned to Orange county, Indiana, where he attended school during the winter of 1838-9. He had previously made a claim in Buffalo township, this county, and erected thereon a shanty, which he found had been destroyed by fire on his return here in April, 1839. He at once rebuilt and continued to make his home in Buffalo township throughout his life. In later years he erected a good brick residence upon his place, and made many other valuable and useful improvements. He prospered in his farming operations and kept adding to his landed possessions until he had at one time thirteen hundred acres of land in Linn and Jones counties, but later disposed of a portion of it, retaining four hundred acres in Buffalo township, this county; fifty-eight acres in Jones county, Iowa; one hundred and fifty-seven acres in Crawford county, this state; and a large stone quarry with eighty acres in Kansas. He was quite extensively engaged in stock raising, feeding about sixty head of cattle, 6 horses and fifty hogs annually.

On the 14th of November, 1839, in Linn township, Mr. Crow was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Bennett, who taught the first school in this county. Her father, Ezra Bennett, was lost at sea. She was born in Syracuse, New York, but was reared in Canada, and died at her home in Buffalo township, this county, February 1844. By this union were born two children: Mary E., born November 11, 1840, married John Wall and died in Redwood, Minnesota, April 18, 1868; and John Wesley, born May 4, 1842, married Rachel Boltenhouse, and is now living on a ranch near Houston, Texas. He served over three years in the Civil War as a member of the Thirty-first Iowa Infantry.

Mr. Crow was again married in Brown township November 14, 1848, his second union being with Mrs. Narcissa E. Bowman, the widow of Isaac Bowman. By their union three children were born, namely; Willard D., born November 7, 1849, married Louisa Burke, and is a large land owner and wealthy citizen of Houston, Texas; Edward Linas, born November 13, 1852, married Adelia Gillen, and is now a stock and grain dealer of Mapleton, Iowa; and Nancy E., born May 3, 1856, died December 13, 1891. She was the wife of George S. Elwood, who was an extensive land owner and stock dealer of Washington county, Kansas. The mother of these children departed this life in Buffalo township July 17, 1857.

At Anamosa, Iowa, December 8, 1860, Mr. Crow married Mrs. Sarah A. Green, widow of Addison Green, and to them were born seven children, as follows: Jefferson D., born December 25, 1861, married Elsie Leaf and is engaged in farming near Mapleton, Iowa; Nelson M., born March 19, 1863, married Addie Dial and died in State Center, Iowa; Sarah E., born September 18, 1864, is the wife of Owen Carl, of Perry, Iowa; Charles F., born August 5, 1866, married Mertie Boyles and is a farmer of Jones county, Iowa; Garrison M., born April 28, 1868 and Louis N., born August 17, 1870, are both deceased; and Orpha B. born September 30, 1871, is the wife of J. Harold Leaf, who is represented on another page of this volume. Mrs. Crow died November 3, 1872.

In his political views Mr. Crow was a Jacksonian Democrat and a stanch supporter of his party and its principles. As one of the leading and influential citizens of his community he was called upon to fill a number of local offices, and served as supervisor for nine years and justice of the peace in early life. In religious belief he was a Universalist, broad and liberal in his ideas. He passed away July 26, 1894, honored and respected by all who knew him. His remains were interred in Wilcox cemetery, Brown township, near the village of Viola, where his wives were also buried. 

He always took an active and commendable interest in the welfare of his adopted county, and was prominently identified with its growth and development. He was not only genial and hospitable in disposition, but was exceedingly charitable, and no one coming to him for aid was ever turned from his door empty-handed. He often gave shelter to those less fortunate than himself, both children and grown people making their home with him at various times. Mr. Crow was not only Linn county's earliest settler, but was also one of its best known and most highly esteemed citizens.

Source: Biographical Record of Linn County, Iowa. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1901, p. 694-699.

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VINCENT CUHEL

The agricultural interests of Linn county are largely represented by men of foreign birth and among this class none are more worthy of mention in this volume than Vincent Cuhel, who has persevered in his undertakings until he is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land located on section 36, Fairfax township. Born in Moravia, Austria, October 20, 1856, he is a son of Vincent and Frances (Mach) Cuhel, the latter a daughter of John and Mary Mach, prosperous farming people of that country. The year 1861 witnessed the arrival of the Cuhel family in America. They at once made their way to Iowa and settled on forty acres of raw and unbroken land in Johnson county. It was an arduous task that confronted the father but he at once set to work to develop and improve his land and as soon as he had acquired a sufficient sum of money, he purchased one hundred acres, which he also improved, and thus lie became a prosperous farmer of this state. He died in Johnson county in 1896 when he had reached the ripe old age of eighty-six years, while his wife passed away in 1905 at the age of seventy-five.

Vincent Cuhel was a little lad of five years when with his parents lie took passage on the steamer at Hamburg bound for the United States. He still has vivid recollection of the trip across the Atlantic and of the establishment of a home in a new country. At the usual age he was sent to school but he was permitted to pursue his studies only to the age of fifteen years, for it was then necessary that he give his entire time to work on the home farm, as at that time his father was in limited circumstances and was trying to acquire a competence. He remained under the parental roof until the age of twenty-six and then started out in life for himself, purchasing eighty acres of land on section 36, Fairfax township. He developed and improved this tract and in due time added one hundred and sixty acres to his original holdings, so that his possessions now embrace two hundred and forty acres. He has made all of the improvements on the place, including a good country residence and a substantial barn and outbuildings for the shelter of his grain and stock. He has made a close study of the soil, knows the crops to which it is best adapted and therefore meets with good results in his labors In his pastures are also found good grades of stock, for he gives much of his time to this branch of his business.

On the 13th of September, 1882, occurred the marriage of Mr. Cuhel and Miss Mary Mekota, a daughter of Frank and Dorothea Mekota. Mrs. Cuhel was born December 8, 1863, in Bohemia, and accompanied her parents on their emigration to the new world, the family home being established on a farm near Solon, Iowa For many years the father followed general agricultural pursuits but spent the last years of his life in honorable retirement and passed away in Solon in 1907. Mrs. Cuhel has a sister, Mrs. John F. Janko, who lives on a farm in College township, while another sister, Mrs. Jausa, resides in Los Angeles, California. One brother, John, is living retired in Cedar Rapids, while her brother Joseph is a well known attorney of that city. Her brother Wencil follows farming near Solon and Charles C. and Frank M. are farmers of Johnson county, this state.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cuhel has been blessed with ten children, as follows: Charles E., who was born September 26, 1883, and follows farming in Johnson county; Anna, who was born February 14, 1885, and is now the wife of Ed Holets of Cedar Rapids; Mary, who was born December 23, 1886, and is a resident of Los Angeles; Joseph, who was born June 27, 1889, is a graduate of Coe  College in Cedar Rapids and is now in California; Frank, whose birth occurred September 4, 1891; Jerry, born December 14, 1893; Bessie, born March 23, 1895 Stephen, born March 29, 1897; Lillian, who was born November 21, 1900; and Dorothea Olga, whose birth occurred on the 31st of December, 1903.

In polities Mr. Cuhel is independent and for two terms served as school director, the cause of education ever ending in him a warm friend. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Reformed Evangelical church. Success has crowned his efforts and he is ever found loyal to the best interests of his adopted state.

Source: History of Linn County Iowa, From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Vol. II, Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company, 1911, p. 218-221.

Contributed by Terry Carlson

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