George A. Lincoln (1848 - 1919)

LINCOLN, ATWELL, CANNIFF

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 7/19/2025 at 20:22:50

Geo. A. Lincoln, Pioneer of This City, Former Mayor, Postmaster, Game warden, Died Suddenly Last Night

George A. Lincoln, 713 South Eighth Street, a resident of Cedar Rapids for fifty-two years, former mayor and postmaster of Cedar rapids and later state fish and game warden for twelve years died suddenly last night at Spirit Lake, according to word received here. Mr. Lincoln had been spending the last two weeks with his family at Spirit Lake. No particulars were given in the message except that the body will be brought to Cedar rapids tonight.

Mr. Lincoln was 71 years old and a pioneer in Cedar Rapids not only in point of years but also in work accomplished which has marked the progress of the city. He was well known throughout the state for his public service.

Mr. Lincoln was born in Chicopee, Mass., Jan. 31, 1848. The family removed to Madison, Wis., in his early boyhood days and it was there that he obtained his education in the public schools and a business college. At the age of 16 he enlisted in the Third Wisconsin light artillery and as a private went to the front and served with the Union army in Tennessee until honorably discharged July 5, 1865.

Came Here in 1867
After his return from the war, he was employed for two years in a clothing store in Madison. In 1867, he came to Cedar Rapids and started a clothing and merchant tailoring business which he conducted here for twenty years. In 1889-90 he was engaged in building the first electric street railway in Dubuque and on March 4, 1891, was appointed postmaster at Cedar Rapids, serving for one term of four years.

Mr. Lincoln was deeply interested in politics and held a number of prominent offices. His first one of this kind was in 1874 and 1875 when he was alderman for the third precinct. In 1878, he was elected assessor and recorder from which position he resigned to become postmaster. In 1895, after the close of his term as postmaster, he was elected mayor of Cedar Rapids and re-elected to this office in ’96 and ’97 and his administration of this office has been characterized as business-like and public spirited.

He was called to office again in 1901 when appointed to be the state fish and game warden and reappointed in 1904, 1907 and 1910. While filling this office he succeeded in having the hunters’ license law passed by the state legislature which placed the department in good financial condition.

Lifelong Republican
During Mr. Lincoln’s term as postmaster, the first government building was erected in Cedar Rapids through his efforts and those of other public-spirited citizens. He was a member of the state central committee of the republican party in 1890-1891 and it has been said that it was largely through his influence and wide acquaintance in the state that the republican state convention was brought to Cedar Rapids several times.

He was secretary of the Commercial club in Cedar Rapids, 1899 and 1900 during which time he aided in having one of the first public auditoriums in the state built. In 1869 he helped organize the first volunteer fire department in the city served as the chief of the department from 1870 – 1876.

Mr. Lincoln was married Feb. 7, 1869, to Miss Fannie Atwell, who survives him and also one daughter, Mrs. F. F. Canniff. He was a member of Cedar Rapids lodge of the Knights of Pythias, in which he served as chancellor commander at one time, a member of Knights of the Maccabees, Woodmen of the World and T. Z. Cook post of the G.A.R. (Source: The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA, Sat, Jul 19, 1919, pg. 3