Julius E. Baerthel

Julius E. Baerthel, now living retired at his home at 221 A Avenue, Cedar Rapids, is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to the new world.  He was born in Hesse-Cassel February 10, 1833, a son of Conrad Baerthel, who died in that country.  He received a good education in his native tongue, and was a young man of seventeen years when he accompanied his widowed mother and the other members of the family on their emigration to the United States in 1850.  They located in Chicago, which was then a city of only thirty-five thousand population.  There Mr. Baerthel attended English schools for a time, and began his business career as a farm hand in Cook county.  Later he rented a farm and continued to engage in agricultural pursuits for some years.

In March, 1868, Mr. Baerthel came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he conducted a boarding house for a time, and later rented the Dubuque House, of which he became proprietor.  Subsequently he was engaged in the grocery business for two or three years, and on disposing of that again turned his attention to the hotel business.  He built the Palace Hotel, which he conducted for fifteen years, but now rents the property, while he lives
retired.  He also erected a brick business block adjoining the hotel, and has other real estate interests in the city, including his own residence.  As a young man of seventeen years he came to America, and with no capital started out in a strange land to overcome the difficulties and obstacles in his path to prosperity.  His youth dreams have been realized, and in their happy fulfillment he sees the fitting reward of his earnest toil.

On the 15th of October, 1865, in Cook county, Illinois, Mr. Baerthel was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Loese, also a native of Germany, who came to the new world in 1864.  Unto them were born four children, namely: Louis is married and resides in Cedar Rapids; Charles died at the age of three years; William, a highly esteemed and respected young man, died March 3, 1899, at the age of twenty-eight years; and Mary is the wife of Allen J. Fee, a farmer of Linn county.  On the site of the old Palace Hotel Mr. Baerthel has erected the Delevan House, a modern fireproof building, five stories in height, forty by one hundred and forty feet, with ninety-seven sleeping rooms, club room, office and parlor, all elegantly furnished throughout with all the modern improvements, including a passenger elevator.  Mr. Baerthel also owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, one-half mile from the city limits, which is well improved.

Politically Mr. Baerthel has always been identified with the Republican party since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, but he has never sought official honors, preferring to give his time and attention wholly to his business interests.  He was one of the original members of the Odd Fellows Lodge of Cedar Rapids, in which he has filled all the chairs, is
now past grand, and has represented the lodge in the grand lodge of the state.  Both he and his wife were reared in the Protestant faith, and are liberal supporters of churches.  His life has been an upright, honorable and useful one, and due success has not been denied him, so that he is numbered among the substantial men of Cedar Rapids, as well as one of its highly respected citizens, who has taken an active interest in the welfare of the city.

Frank Stuvil Beebe

Mr. Beebe is a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and also the owner of a very beautiful farm in Fairfax township, Linn county, where he is widely known and highly respected throughout the entire district. A native of the state of Wisconsin, he at an early age took up his residence in Iowa, where he has made an unlimited number of friends for himself.

His father, H. P. Beebe, is now engaged in farming in Richland county, Wisconsin, where he lives with his wife, Emma (Good) Beebe, whose father, Richard Good, born in England in 1796, came to this country in 1816, at the age of twenty years, and lived to the extreme old age of one hundred and one years, dying September 3, 1897 while his brother lived to the age of one hundred and six years. Mr. Good married Sarah Adams March 1, 1822, and to this marriage were born eleven children: Susan and Jane, twins; Charles, Mary, Benjamin, Betsey, Rebecca, Marguerite, Richard, Thomas and Emma. Mr. Beebe, our subject's father, was the third of nine children born to his parents that grew to maturity, the others being Benton, Wilder, Nathan, Harriet, Mary, Sarah Ann, Eliza and Maria. This worthy couple were among the early settlers of Vermont, the father, although born in England, having settled there at a very early day.

Mr. Beebe received a good education in Richland county, Wisconsin, where his childhood was spent. Our subject is the oldest of a family of nine children. His brother Pery, who is engaged in farming in Wisconsin, married Everetta Bigsby; Oscar, another brother, lives on a farm in Fairfax township with his wife, Myrtle (Cleveland) Beebe; Ada became the wife of Lewis Powers, and together they reside upon a farm in Wisconsin; another brother, Charles, married Dove Hubanks, and they are also engaged in farming in Wisconsin; Eva died April 1, 1856, when but seventeen years of age; Sarah married Charles Garner, who is a well-to-do farmer in Wisconsin; Charles Owens, one of Wisconsin's agriculturists became the husband of Mary; Lizzie also married an agriculturist, Edward Dobbs, and is a resident of Wisconsin; and the youngest sister, Jane, married Prett Hubanks, another of Wisconsin's thrifty farmers.

When our subject finished school he engaged in farming with his father until he reached the age of nineteen years, when he moved westward to Linn county. Here he spent a short time in the employ of a railroad company, and then for five years was employed by the month on a farm. At the expiration of this time Mr. Beebe rented a farm of two hundred and forty acres, and one year afterward, July 3, 1877, married Clara McDowell, daughter of Godfrey and Keziah (Burkholder) McDowell, and the oldest of four children: Allen, her brother, died in infancy; Anna, a sister became the wife of George McKinnon, a farmer of Hartford township; and Addie was married to George Rider, a farmer residing in Greene county, Iowa.

At the end of one year after his marriage, having rented his farm until that time, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of it, and having erected a beautiful residence upon it has ever since made it his home. During the winter months Mr. Beebe is engaged in evangelistic work, in which he has been very successful. Along the lines of temperance and church work Mr. Beebe is ever a liberal supporter, and the Prohibition ticket always receives his vote, but he has no desire for political offices, his private business requiring his constant attention.

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Beebe: Adison Claire is now engaged with the Lefebure Ledger Company, of Cedar Rapids; Eva Bertha, Godfrey Hiram, Emma Keziah and James Leghorn being at home with their parents, Bertha graduating from the high school in June, 1899.

Addison A. Berry

Throughout his active business life this gentleman has been identified with the farming and stock raising interests of Bertram township, and is accounted one of its most thorough and skillful agriculturists.  He was born in that township on the 22nd of June, 1863, and is a son of Robert Berry, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.  His early education was obtained in the district schools near his boyhood home, and later he attended the business college at Cedar Rapids completing his education at the age of twenty years.  During the following year he assisted his father in the work of the home farm, and on attaining his majority started out in life for himself with an excellent knowledge of the occupation which he has chosen as a life work.

On the 30th of October 1884, Mr. Berry was married in Bertram township, to Miss Ella M. Hunter, who was born in that township, December 12, 1862, a daughter of James and Ellen (Flaherty), both natives of Ireland.  The father was born September 16, 1818, and was sixteen years of age when he came to the new world.  His life has been devoted chiefly to agriculture, but for ten years he was engaged in milling.  From Philadelphia he went to Galena, Illinois, and in March, 1838, came to Linn county, Iowa, squatting on government land in Bertram township.  When the land came into market he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, and as he prospered in his farming operations here he added to his property until he owned six hundred and sixty acres.  He erected a steam mill in Putnam township and operated it for ten years in connection with farming.  He has been three times married, his first wife being Mary Rodgers, by whom he had six children: William G., Sarah A., Mary E., Janes, Minerva J. and Emma R., all of whom are now deceased with exception of Sarah A. and Emma R. The mother of these children died in November, 1855, and he subsequently married Caroline Hollis, who died eighteen months later.  His third wife was Ellen Flaherty, the mother of Mrs. Berry, and to them were born eleven children: John W., Ella M., Mary, Charles, James, Johanna, Jesse Franklin, John, Thomas G., Mortimer M. and Julia E.   Of these John and Charles are deceased.  The father is a supporter of the Democratic party, and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all who know him.  Mr. and Mrs. Berry had three children: Alfred R., born August 14, 1885, is taking a philosophical course at Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, and will graduate in 1905; Grace E., born May 30, 1889, is attending the grammar school of Mt. Vernon; and one died in infancy.

After his marriage Mr. Berry rented his father-in-law's farm for a year, and then removed to the farm which he now occupies. Here he has three hundred and fifty acres on section 11, Bertram township, which is under a high state of cultivation and improved with excellent buildings, including one of the best farm residences in this part of the state, it being an elegant two-story brick structure with all modern improvements.  Upon the place are also large barns, cattle sheds and other buildings. Besides this valuable property he owns a handsome residence in Mt. Vernon, where he lives during the school year that his children might have the best educational advantages that the state affords.  He spends the summer upon his farm, and is successfully engaged in both farming and stock raising. Politically he is an ardent Republican, but has always refused to become a candidate for office, preferring to devote his undivided attention to his business interests.  Socially he is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 534, of Bertram, and he attends the Presbyterian church of Mt. Vernon, of which he is one of the trustees.  He is a man of prominence in his cummunity and is highly respected wherever known.

Charles E. Berry

The agricultural interests of Bertram township are well represented by this gentleman whose home is on section 28.  A native of this county, he was born in Bertram township, February 27, 1859, and is a son of Robert Berry, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.  During the first twenty years of his life our subject attended the country schools and aided in the work of the farm.

On the 20th of September, 1882, Mr. Berry was married in Johnson county, Missouri,  to Miss Laurana J. Byers, who was born in Ohio, August 13, 1862.  Her parents, Joseph and Mary C. (Lynn) Byers, were born, reared and married in Ohio, from which state they removed to Michigan, remaining there until the close of the Civil war, when they removed to Johnson county, Missouri where they still reside.  They had three children of whom Mrs. Berry was the oldest; Sally is the wife of Marion Herring, of Henry county, Missouri; and Frank, who is also married and lives in the same county.

After his marriage Mr. Berry rented one hundred and twenty acres of his father's land, which he operated until March, 1887, when he removed to Henry county, Missouri and engaged in farming there until the following fall.  There his wife died September 25, 1887, and her remains were brought back and interred in Campbell cemetery, Bertram, Iowa.  She left four children namely: Cordelia E., born September 1, 1883; Gertrude N., born December 26, 1884; Jennie A., born May 4, 1886; and Charles R., born August 8, 1887.

On the 1st of October, 1887, Mr. Berry returned to this county, and was in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad company, until July 1, 1888.  Since then he has resided upon the farm which he now occupies, it consisting of one hundred and eighty acres on section 28, Bertram township, and in its cultivation he has met with excellent success.  He has made many improvements upon the place, including the erection of an elegant frame residence in modern style of architecture, and also large barns and cattle sheds.  He intends making a specialty of the raising of Hereford cattle, of which he has a good herd, and he also raises a high grade of hogs for market.

Mr. Berry was again married in Ringgold county, Iowa, April 1, 1889, his second union being with Miss Sarah C. Morrison, who was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, December 25, 1885.  They have one child, Osmond R., born January 23, 1890.  Mrs. Berry's parents were John and Amanda (Shafer) Morrison, natives of Ohio, from which state they removed to Illinois after their marriage. There the father died April 9, 1873, and in 1876 the mother moved to Iowa with her family, locating in Ringgold county.  Their children were as follows: Martha married J. T. Ingles, who lives near Springfield, Illinois, and she died in 1882; Nellie, deceased, was the wife of Edward Russell, a resident of Grouse, Oregon; Sarah C., wife of our subject, is next in the order of birth; Henry, deceased, married Julia Galaway, who lives near Denver, Colorado; Luella is the wife of Henry Breckenridge, of Ringgold county, Iowa; John, also a resident of Ringgold county, first married Nettie Scott and after her death wedded Hannah Claugh; Angeline died at the age of twenty years; Nancy is the wife of John Atwood, of North Ontario, California; William is a stock dealer, of Casper, South Dakota; Gussie is the wife of Frank Preston, of North Ontario, California; and Katie resides with her mother in Ringgold county, Iowa.

Mr. Berry attends the Methodist church, and is a member of Bertram Lodge, No. 534, I.O.O.F.  In politics he is a Democrat, and was elected as clerk of Bertram township, at the fall election in 1900.  He is one of the up to date and progressive farmers of Berlin township, as well as one of the highly esteemed citizens of the community.

Robert Berry

For over half a century Bertram township had no more influential or prosperous citizen than the gentleman whose name introduces this review.  He was born in Ohio, July 4, 1828, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Emmons) Berry, the former born in New York, May 1, 1784, of Irish descent, the latter in New Jersey, November 15, 1782, of English extraction.  After their marriage they removed to Ohio, where the father followed farming until his death.  In 1851 the mother came to Iowa, and died at the home of our subject, August 5, 1860.  They were the parents of eleven children whose names and dates of birth were as follows: Davis, August 26, 1807; William, March 10, 1810; Johanna, July 12, 1812; John, June 14, 1814; James, June 18, 1817; Sarah, August 15, 1819; Mary and Amy, twins, November 9, 1822; Samuel, September 24, 1825; Robert, July 4, 1828; and Nellie.

Mr. Berry's early educational advantages were meager, but the knowledge he acquired in the district schools has been supplemented by  practical information acquired in later years. He grew to manhood upon his father's farm and obtained an excellent knowledge of all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist.  On leaving the old homestead he commenced farming upon rented land in Ohio, and later engaged in railroad contracting.

Coming to Linn county, Iowa, in 1851, Mr. Berry purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 27, Bertram township, where he continued to make his home till the spring of 1901, when he rented his place and removed to Cedar Rapids.  In his farming operations he has steadily prospered, and has added to his landed possessions until he now owns nearly one thousand acres of valuable land.  He has placed his land under excellent cultivation and erected thereon good and substantial buildings, until he now has one of the best improved and most desirable farms in the county.  He has always given considerable attention to the raising of stock for the market and has also met with success in this undertaking.

On the 25th of April, 1854, in this county, Mr. Berry was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Thorington, who was born near Crawfordsville, Montgomery county, Indiana, July 4, 1834, and is a daughter of Alexander and Martha (Webb) Thorington, natives of Maryland.  Her parents removed from that state to Ohio, and from there to Montgomery county, Indiana, and in 1853 came to Linn county, Iowa, spending the remainder of their lives in Bertram township.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Berry were born the following children: Walter H., born April 29, 1856, and Charles E., born February 27, 1859, are both represented elsewhere in this work; Jennie E., born April 11, 1861,  the wife of William H. Harrison, whose sketch also appears on another page of this volume; Addison A., born June 22, 1863, married Ella Hunter and makes his home in Mt. Vernon (a sketch of him will be found on another page of this work); Robert O., born May 14, 1865, married Rachel Cory, and lives on a farm in Marion township;  William Jasper, born January 28, 1868, married Bertie H. Hutchinson and lives on a farm in Bertram townshp; John Frederick, born June 26, 1872, married Ida McCloud, and resides in Cedar Rapids; and one died in infancy.

In politics Mr. Berry is independent, supporting the men whom he believes best qualified for office, regardless of party affiliations.  He has served as township trustee and school treasurer, and has always been found true to every trust reposed in him whether public or private.  He and his wife are active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are held in the highest regard by all who know them.

Walter H. Berry

This energetic and enterprising agriculturist, residing on section 21, Bertram township, was born in this county, April 29, 1856, and is a son of Robert Berry, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume.  Reared on his father's farm, he was educated in the district schools of the neighborhood,  which he attended during the winter months, while through the summer season he aided in the labors of the fields.

On the 28th of April, 1880 in Bertram township, Mr. Berry was united in marriage with Miss Almeda Harrison, who was born in Mt. Vernon, this county, January 3, 1857, and is a daughter of Jacob and Ardelia (Look) Harrison, natives of New Jersey and New York, respectively.  An extended sketch of the Harrison family will be found in the biography of W. H. Harrison on another page of this work.  Mrs. Berry is the oldest in a family of five children the others being William H., just mentioned; Mary, wife of Frank Brown, who lives north of Bertram; Jacob, who married Hannah Berry and resides in the west; and Lucinda, wife of Frank Thompson, a farmer of Marion township, this county.  Mr. and Mrs. Berry have five children; Ardelia, born March 6, 1881, completed her education in Marion and is now at home with her parents. Thomas, born August 16, 1882, assists his father with the farm work.  In addition to attending the Marion high school, he also took a course in the Cedar Rapids Business College.  William, born September 26, 1885, Almeda, born March 4, 1887, and Mary, born December 19, 1894, are all attending school.

After his marriage Mr. Berry operated a rented farm for three years and at the end of that time removed to his present place on section 21, Bertram township, where he has made many improvements, though his fine residence and commodious barn were built by his father.  To the original tract our subject has added one hundred and seventy-five acres of land.  He gives considerable attention to the breeding of a high grade of cattle, making a specialty of the short horn breed, and also raises horses and hogs for market.  He is a very progressive and practical farmer and as he thoroughly understands his chosen vocation in all its various departments, he has met with remarkable success.  He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a supporter of the Democratic party and its principles.

Frederick Bokorny

This well-known contractor on public works, residing at 422 C Avenue, dates his residence in Cedar Rapids from 1868. He was born in the city of Chicago on the 15th of December, 1862, and is a son of Frederick Bokorny, Sr., who came to the new world in early life and settled in Chicago, where he worked at his trade of stone cutter for some years. On leaving that city he made a permanent location in Cedar Rapids in 1868. At this place he was first in the employ of others and subsequently as a contractor and builder he followed his chosen occupation for some years, though his last days were spent in retirement from active labor. He died here in 1885. His wife still survives him, and is now seventy-eight years of age.

Our subject accompanied his parents on their removal to Cedar Rapids, and is indebted to the city schools for his educational advantages. He partially learned his trade with his father, and later commenced contracting on public works in his own interest, and has since been actively engaged in business in connection with the laying of sewers, the building of bridges and with other public enterprises in Cedar Rapids and Linn county for fifteen years. He is a practical and skilled mechanic, who thoroughly understands the buiness, and is meeting with well-deserved success. He has bought lots and erected several houses in the city, and also owns some valuable farm property near Cedar Rapids.

Mr. Bokorny was married in Cedar Rapids in 1884 to Miss Katie Guinn, who was born, reared and educated in Germany, and was a young lady when she came to America and took up her residence in Cedar Rapids. They have two children living, namely, Katie, a graduate of Cedar Rapids high school; and Trophy, still a student in the city schools. Their son Frederick died at the age of six months.

In his social relations Mr. Bokorny is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. As a business man he stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens who recognize his ability, and the success that has crowned his efforts has been worthily achieved, as it has come to him through his own industry and persistent effort. On national issues he votes with the Democracy, but at local elections he votes independent of party lines, supporting the men whom he believes best qualified to fill the offices. He has never cared for political honors for himself.

D. L. Boyd

For about one-third of a century this well-known banker and lumber dealer has been a resident of Mt. Vernon, and by his industry, keen discrimination and good executive ability he has placed himself among the foremont business men of Linn county. He is a native of Ireland, born in County Antrim, December 5, 1841, and is the son of James and Jennie Boyd, who spent their entire lives in that county, and who were the parents of eight children, of whom our subject is the youngest.

During his boyhood our subject attended a model school in his native land, and was later a student in the training school at Dublin. On leaving that institution he successfully engaged in teaching in Ireland for seven years. But the new world had attractions for him, and he determined to come to that country where every man was equal in the eyes of the law, and where all had an equal chance for advancement. In 1868 he bade good-bye to home and friends and went from Belfast to Liverpool, England from which port he sailed for the United States. Landing in New York, he proceeded at once to Marengo, Iowa, where he remained three weeks and then came to Mt. Vernon, which has since been his home. He began life here as a farm hand in the employ of James Smyth, with whom he remained three months, and for three weeks he was similarly employed by Colonel Smyth. At the end of that time he accepted a position in the lumber yard of Colonel R. Smyth & Co., at Mr. Vernon, and a year later purchased an interest in the business. This partnership continued for some time, and he then purchased his partner's interests, and has since continued to be identified with the lumber business of his adopted city. In May, 1900, he took into partnership with him his son, Jay C., and under the firm name of D. L. Boyd & Son the business is continued with remarkable success. On the advent of his son into the firm, he became connected with the banking business as cashier of the Mt. Vernon Bank, and is now holding that position. His intimate knowledge and extensive acquaintance with the people who do business in Mt. Vernon make him a valuable acquisition to the bank.

On the 8th of December, 1870, Mr. Boyd was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Craig, who was born three miles west of Mt. Vernon, and who was the daughter of Thomas Craig, a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and who came to this country about 1830, first locating in Ohio. In 1839, soon after Linn county was first settled, he removed here and took up government land, about three miles west of Mt. Vernon, where he engaged in farming until his death, in 1860. He was twice married, his first wife being Margaret Shaver. After her death he married Martha Smyth, and to them were born three children, of whom Mrs. Boyd is the only survivor. Three children were also born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyd. Jay Craig, born December 23, 1872, is now the junior member of the firm of D. L. Boyd & Son. He married Miss Mabel Shire, and they have one child, Donald L. William Walter, born May 26, 1876, resides at home. Florence B., born April 22, 1882, is attending Cornell College.

Mr. Boyd is a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics is an ardent Republican. For two years he efficiently served as mayor of Mt. Vernon, and has been a member of the school board for many years, while he is now serving as one of the trustees of Cornell College. He is a very pleasant and courteous gentleman, who takes a deep interest in every enterprise which he believes will be of public benefit, and he stands deservedly high in both business and social circles.

Prominent among the honored pioneers and representative citizens of Linn county was James M. Burge, who was actively identified with the development of this region for many years. He was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1821, and belonged to a family which originated in Hull, Yorkshire, England, and coming to America with Lord Baltimore in early colonial days, settled in Maryland. Some of its members took part in both the Revolutionary war and the war of 1812.

Jeremiah Burge, the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania in 1800, and was a son of William and Priscilla (Long) Burge, also natives of that state. He married Hester Morford, and to them were born seven children, namely: James M., of this review; Fannie, wife of William Waln, of this county; Jeremiah, deceased, who married Sarah Archer; William, who married the widow of his brother Jeremiah and lived in Franklin township, this county; John, who married Harriet Harlis, deceased, and resides near Cedar Rapids; Jane, who married Robert Maxwell, of Cedar county, Iowa, and both are now deceased; and Martha, who married, first, Washington Turner, who was killed in the Civil war, and she is now the widow of Elijah Rundell and resides in Clyde, Nebraska.

During his boyhood James M. Burge was able to attend the country schools only a short time, and his education was mostly acquired by reading and observation in later years. In 1837, at the age of sixteen, he came with his father's family to Muscatine, Iowa, the journey being made by boat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi rivers. After spending two years on a farm at that place, they came to Linn county and took up their residence in Franklin township. Our subject remained under the parental roof until about 1846, when he entered eighty acres of land on section 21, Franklin township, and purchased the same when it came into mrket. He walked to the land office in Dubuque, starting on Monday morning and reaching home Wednesday afternoon in time to do a portion of a day's work, though he had traveled one hundred and forty miles in that time. His home was midway between Dubuque and Iowa City, on the old military road, and was the favorite stopping place for all passing that way. No one was ever turned away hungry from his door, and he would charge nothing for the meals and accomodations furnished. Mr. Burge was a very generous, open hearted man, who was always willing to lend a helping hand to friend or stranger, it mattered not. Even his younest son remembers seeing as many as forty-six persons entertained at one meal.

On starting out in life for himself, Mr. Burge became interested in the stock buying business in connection with farming, and bought cattle in three states. He would start out on horse back, going first to Illinois, and working his way into Missouri and Iowa. He marketed much of his stock at Davenport and Muscatine, and was one of the first to ship cattle to the Chicago market after the opening of shipping facilities to that place. He was one of the most prominent cattle men of Iowa in early days, and as he prospered in business he became an extensive land owner, having at one time over fourteen hundred acres of land. He presented each of his children with a farm. Mr. Burge was a man of splendid physique and unusual strength, and when a boy was able to cradle grain with any of the men in the field. In early days he used to raft his wheat down the Cedar and Mississippi rivers to St. Louis and then return home on foot.

In 1844 Mr. Burge was married in this county to Miss Elizabeth McRoberts, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Michael and Mary (Smith) McRoberts, who were born in Virginia. The McRoberts family came from Scotland to America in the early part of the eighteenth century and it has been well represented in the wars of this country. William Smith, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Burge, was in the secret service under General Arnold in the war of 1812, was present at the surrender of Detroit, and was massacred at the battle of River Raisin. Mrs. Burge was the fifth in order of birth in a family of eleven children, the others being William, who is married and is now living in Watsonville, California; Russell, who wedded Mary Fitz and resides in Greene county, Iowa; Mary Jane, who married John Prather, and after residing for a time in Linn county, Iowa, moved to Kansas and later to Oregon, where both died; George, who married Sarah Black and makes his home in Mound City, Missouri; Frank and James, twins both of whom entered the Union army during the civil war, and died at Maitland, Missouri, from the effects of their army life; Lucinda who married Henry Rogers, and both died in Greene county, Iowa; Elsina, who died in infancy; Duncan, a physician, who was killed in the Civil war; and Margaret E., who died at the age of twenty years.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Burge were born twelve children, as follows: Frances married Jeremiah Thomas, a farmer of Franklin township, and died in 1878. Jerry was killed in a tornado on the home farm in Franklin township June 3, 1860. Hester M. married Joseph Moore, who died in this county in 1877, while her death occurred in Greene county, Iowa, in 1885. Their sons are now engaged in the cattle business in Tillamook, Oregon. John W. married Hannah Clark and is engaged in farming in Bertram township, this county. Ellen married Andrew Dill, a farmer of Franklin township, and died August 21, 1879. Elizabeth is the wife of John Hoffman, a farmer of Franklin township. James R. married Alvina Minick and is engaged in the ice business in Mt. Vernon. Lavina is the wife of James Waln, a farmer of Franklin township. Elmer married Kate Heller and resides on his grandfather's old homestead in the same township. Ethelda makes her home with her brother George H. She is a graduate of Cornell College and has for a number of years been a teacher in the high schools. Anson S. married Lulella Davis and resides in Spokane, Washington. George H. is mentioned more fully below.

Politically Mr. Burge was a Republican but he never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office, although he always took a deep interest in those enterprises which he believed calculated to prove of public benefit. He died upon his farm in Franklin township May 5, 1891, and in his death the community realized that it had lost one of its most valued citizens. He was always a friend to the poor and needy and was held in the highest respect and esteem by all who knew him. His estimable wife passed away April 21, 1886, and both were laid to rest in the Mt. Vernon cemetery.

George H. Burge, our subject's youngest son, was born on the 21st of August, 1872, on the old homestead in Franklin township where he still continues to reside. The district schools afforded him his early educational advantages, but he later attended the high school at Mt. Vernon, where he was graduated with the class of 1888, and for several terms during the winter he was a student at Cornell College, while the summer months were devoted to farm work. In 1889 he took charge of the home farm of one hundred and thirty acres, a half of which he purchased, while his father gave him the remainder. This includes the original tract entered by his father from the government. As the son has prospered in his farming operations he has added to his property until he now has two hundred and fifty acres of very valuable and productive land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, and on which he has made many useful and substantial improvements. He has a good modern residence, has built new fences, erected numerous cattle sheds, and has planted an orchard, so that he now has one of the best places in the county, it being known as the "Wayside Farm."

Mr. Burge is one of the most successful breeders of fine cattle in America, making a specialty of the short-horn breed, and has carried off many premiums at county fairs, and also at several state fairs in different states. His cattle have not only won prizes at these fairs, but also at national exhibits. He has made a constant study of his chosen occupation and has met with success. Mr. Burge attributes his success to the teachings of his father, who was a most excellent judge of stock. His evenings are mainly devoted to study, and he has an excellent library, his office at home reminding one more of a literary man than a farmer. He is one of the most intelligent, progressive and successful agriculturists of the county, while as a stock raiser he has but few equals among the young men of this county. He is a scientific as well as a practical farmer, and to this may be attributed his success. In politics he is a Republican.

Charles F. Butler

Charles F. Butler, president of the Springville Exchange Bank and a most capable financier and successful business man, is a native of this county, born on the old homestead in Brown township, December 8, 1857, and is the son of Joseph S. Butler, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.  His boyhood and youth were spent upon the farm, and his primary education, acquired in the schools of Springville, was supplemented by two years' attendance at Cornell College, in Mt. Vernon.

After completing his education Mr. Butler returned home and engaged in farming and raising, feeding and dealing in stock.  A few years after his father established the Springville Exchange Bank he became connected with the same and was in partnership with his father until the latter's death, when he succeeded to the business and estate. The capital stock has been increased from twenty five to seventy five thousand dollars, having the largest capital of any bank in the county outside of Cedar Rapids.  Besides his banking business Mr. Butler owns and operates several fine farms, and fattens for market several carloads of cattle annually.  He is one of the most public spirited men of the town, and is ever ready to use his influence and means to advance the interests of the community.  He was one of the principal promoters of the water works system of Springville, and owns a large share of the stock.

On the old homestead in Brown township, where he was born, Mr. Butler was married on Christmas Day, 1882, to Miss Clara Burger, a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Abraham Burger, who was one of the early settlers of Linn county.  Here Mrs. Butler grew to womanhood, her education being acquired at Mt. Vernon.  They began their married life on the old home farm, and their only child, Margaret Josephine, was born. After residing there for a few years they removed to Springville, and the daughter will graduate at the high school in that place in June, 1901.

Mr. Butler is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, of Springville, of which he is past chancellor, having filled all the chairs in the same and represented the lodge in the grand lodge of the state.  His wife is an earnest and active member of the Presbyterian Church, and, although he is not a member of any religious organization, he attends church with her and gives liberally to its support.  Politically he is a stanch Democrat, but, being in favor of a gold standard, he voted for President McKinley in 1896 and again in 1900.  Public office has no attraction for him, as he desires rather to devote his entire time and attention to his extensive business interests.  A man of keen perception and unbounded enterprise, he has met with marked success  in his undertakings and is deserving of prominent mention among the leading and representative business men of the county.

Joseph S. Butler

One of the most prominent business men of Springville for many years was Joseph S. Butler, who spent the greater part of his life in this county and was a worthy representative of one of its honored pioneer families.  He was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, September 28, 1821, and was a son of Colonel Isaac Butler, who was born in Kentucky of Irish parentage and won his title as commander of a regiment of malitia that was stationed at Fort Dearborn (now Chicago, Illinois) in 1836.  In 1828 the father removed with his family to Louisville, Kentucky; three years later went to Cass county, Michigan, and in 1835 to Racine, Wisconsin.  In 1840 he came to the territory of Iowa and made a permanent location in Linn county on land a part of which is now within the corporate limits of Springville.

Joseph S. Butler was a young man of nineteen years when he came with the family to this county, and he assisted his father in breaking, fencing and improving the land, remaining on the home farm for several years.  In 1850 he started out in life for himself with no capital.  Going to Anamosa, Iowa, he formed a partnership with a gentleman and engaged in the manufacture of cultivators and fanning mills for cleaning wheat for four years. On his return to this county in 1854, he settled in Brown township and engaged in farming and stock raising and also dealt in real estate.  From 1862 until 1876 he was quite extensively engaged in dealing in grain and stock and in dressing hogs for market.  In 1878 he established the Springville Exchange Bank with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, and carried on the banking business by himself for eight years, at the same time attending to his farming and stock raising interests.  His bank was in the old town on the south side of Big Creek until 1881, when it was removed to its present location in the new town.  His son, C. F., subsequently became a member of the firm, and together they conducted the bank until the father's death, which occurred December 31, 1898.  He was laid to rest with Masonic honors, the Springville lodge officiating, a great number of his fraternal brethren from Marion, Cedar Rapids and other places being present.  The Old Settlers Association also attended the funeral in a body.

On the 4th of July, 1854, Mr. Butler was united in marriage with Miss Maria L. Reneau, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. Her father, Jesse Reneau, was born in Tennessee of French ancestry and was married in that state.  Later he spent some years in Indiana, and from there came to Linn county, Iowa, being one of its early settlers.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Butler were born three children.  The oldest, A. J. Butler, was born September 28, 1856, on his father's birth day, and died January 1, 1876, while had the father lived one day longer he would have died on the anniversary of his son's death.  Lurman died in infancy.  The other son is Charles F. Butler, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume.

For several years Mr. Butler was obliged to use crutches as the result of accidents.  When a young man he had his foot crushed by the fall of a horse, and in September, 1877, he was forced to have one leg amputated below the knee as the result of an accident in crossing a railroad track at Cleveland, Ohio. Notwithstanding these misfortunes, he was actively engaged in business throughout life, and was one of the most successful men of Linn county, accumulating a large estate.  As the public-spirited and progressive citizen he gave his time and means to advance the interests of the community in which he lived, and never withheld his support from any enterprise which he believed would promote the general prosperity.

In 1862 Mr. Butler was commissioned by the Governor to raise a company for the war of the Rebellion, and he raised and organized what became Company H, of the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry.  He was a Jeffersonian Democrat and took quite an active part in politics.  In 1864 he was nominated and ran for representative to the state legislature on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated by a small majority.  For some years he served as justice of the peace and also as a member of the school board, always taking an active part in establishing good schools and promoting educational interests.  He was an active member of the Presbyterian church, of Springville, and gave liberally toward the erection of the house of worship and parsonage belonging to the same, as well as toward the building of the Methodist Episcopal church.  Fraternally he was a Knight Templar Mason, and an honored member of Springville Lodge, Marion Chapter, and Patmos Commandery.  He was a man of recognized ability who stood high in public esteem, and had the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact either in business or social life.

In 1881 Mr. Butler established the Springville New Era, an eight-page sheet which he edited for a time, and was sole owner until he sold the same to Alfred L. Flude.  The paper was non-partisan in politics and had a large circulation in Springville and vicinity.  Mr. Butler was also one of the principal promoters of the water works system of Springville, in which he owns a large share of the stock.

In August, 1896, Mr. Butler read the following paper before the Old Settlers Association at Marion:

"The pioneers who came to Linn county and stood the brunt of the hardships, the exposures and privations of a frontier life, found this country to be a wilderness, a vast unbroken pasture field, with frequent groves and streams, an abundance of wild fruit and game.  Highways and bridges there were none.  It was a wilderness inhabited by roving bands of Indians, wild animals, and the dreaded Mossagger rattle snake.  Occasionally a pioneer cabin was to be found in the edge of the timber for the better protection from storms in winter.  Their cabins were built of round logs, the outside cracks daubed up with clay to keep out the cold.  The roof was covered with shakes and weight-poles, while a puncheon floor, an old fashioned fire place, and a log cut out for a window, completed the interior arrangements.  Many times greased paper served in place of glass for windows.  Some of these cabins when completed did not have a nail, spike or bolt, or a piece of glass in their entire construction, the work being done with an ax, saw, draw knife and augur.  Often times it was many miles to the nearest neighbor.  The early pioneers usually brought all their worldly possessions with them, which usually consisted of an ox team, a wagon, cow or two, and many times without a dollar in money, but with a good rifle, a faithful dog, and added to that he possessed a brave heart, a determined will to defend himself and family and his property against all intruders, whether they were white men, Indians or wild animals.

These pioneers were brave people, generous to a fault and when a stranger visited their cabins, he always found the latch string out and was always welcome to the best they had.  They were generally an industrious people, honest in their dealings, and usually paid their debts promptly when due.  They were very conservative in their mode of living and of doing business, seldom buying anything on time unless it was a necessity.  Their credit was their only capital with which they could do business, and they were generally very careful not to abuse it.

It was very seldom they had a lawsuit, as their disputes were usually settled by arbitration, each party picking a man, and if they failed to agree, these two chose a third man, and their decision was final and ended the matter.

At the same time there was quite a sprinkling of bad men in the country, such as horse thieves and robbers, but they were mostly transient, unwelcome night prowlers, ever to be dreaded, and occasionally Judge Lynch was called upon to administer the law with a rope and a gad, and sometimes in such a way that it was a terror to other evil doers.  The result was such that thieves and rogues found it convenient to make haste to find a more congenial clinic to perpetrate their dastardly deeds and make room for a better class of men to come in and locate and help improve, built up and make Linn county what it is today, with its thousands of beautiful farms under a high state of cultivation, with good houses and barns, many of them with beautiful residences finished off in the latest styles, with beautiful lawns, flower gardens and orchards, artificial groves and splendid outbuildings.  The thousands of herds and flocks of the finest live stock, including horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, the great source of wealth of this country, with the splendid cheese factories and creameries scattered over the country with the finest machinery and fixtures, the products of which are great sources of revenue to our people; with good public roads leading in every direction; the county all checkered over with railroads, with their many depots and ware houses for the convenience of commerce and travel, all prove that these early pioneers builded well for the future prosperity of their country.  The numerous telegraph and telephone offices with easy communication by wire with all parts of the country, the streams spanned by the most substantial of iron bridges; the many weekly and daily papers with their immense circulations among an intelligent people; the country all dotted over with school houses, churches and colleges, with their spires pointing heavenward; the thriving towns and cities, with capital, energy
and enterprise establishing jobbing houses doing immense businesses; the numerous manufacturing institutions of various kinds, the products of which are being shipped to all parts of the state; the many solid monetary institutions which compare favorably with any in this or any other state; the many systems of water works and organized fire departments for the protection of property; the magnificent county building on the county farm,
a home for the unfortunate poor and helpless, all these speak eloquently of the foundation laid in poverty and privations by these early pioneers."

William C. Byers

Among the gallant defenders of the Union during the war of the Rebellion was this well-known engineer on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, now residing in Cedar Rapids.  He was born in Greencastle, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1844, a son of Martin and Margaret (Cline) Byers, who were natives of the same state and came west in 1865, locating on a farm in Linn county, Iowa, about eight miles east of Marion.  The mother was accidentally killed by being thrown from a wagon and breaking her neck, in September 1865.  The father survived nineteen years.

William C. Byers attended the common schools of his native state until fourteen years of age and then learned the boot and shoemaker's trade.  He next entered the machine shop of Crowl & Davidson, at Greencastle, where he worked about three years as an apprentice.  Hardly had the echoes from Fort Sumter's guns died away when he joined the boys in blue, enlisting on the 20th of April, 1861, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Company C, Second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.  On the expiration of his term of enlistment he returned home, but later re-enlisted for nine months in Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Regiment.  He participated in the battles of Falling Water, Martinsburg, Harpers Ferry, the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, White Plains, Snuckers Gap, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.  He was taken prisoner during the last named engagement and recaptured by Colonel Dalgreen.  He was discharged at Harrisburg.  His two brothers, Charles and George, were also soldiers, the latter being a member of the same company as our subject.  He was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, and Charles lost his life at the battle of the Wilderness.

Before leaving Pennsylvania, Mr. Byers was married October 8, 1863, to Miss Lucretia C. Conrad, also a native of Shady Grove, Franklin county, that state, and a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Keysey) Conrad.  She is one of a family of ten children, but only three of the number are now living.  Six children were born to our subject and his wife, namely: (1) Sherman W., died in infancy;  (2) Shannon M., an engineer on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, married Loretta Myers, and they have three children, William, Harry and Ruth;  (3) Earle is now assistant bookkeeper for Rea & Company at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and also plays the pipe organ in the Christian church in that city.  He was selected as a delegate from that place to the musical convention held in 1900. (4) Edward is employed in a drug store in Cedar Rapids. (5) Carl is connected with a wholesale harness and saddlery establishment in Omaha, Nebraska.  One died in infancy.

In the spring of 1864 Mr. Byers came to Linn county, Iowa, and for a time engaged in farming.  Later he carried on the boot and shoe business at Springville for about six years, and then accepted a position as locomotive fireman on the Dubuque and Southwestern Railroad, with which he was connected for two years.  On the 16th of September, 1872, he entered the service of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, and after firing for three years was promoted to engineer on a freight train, which position he filled for three years and for the past nineteen years has been on the best passenger runs on the road and is now about the ninth oldest man pulling a train on the road.

Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Byers are members of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, and they have made their home at 124 G  Avenue, West Cedar Rapids, for eighteen years.  He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers, and the Masonic fraternity, Crescent Lodge. No. 25 and Trowel Chapter, No. 49, and is a stockholder of the Masonic Temple at Cedar Rapids.  The Republican party has always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has taken a very active and influential part in public affairs, serving as a delegate to five international conventions of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fireman and at numerous political conventions.  While a  resident of Springville he served as school director one year and constable 2 years and since coming to Cedar Rapids has represented the 8th ward in the city council, twice being elected on the Republican ticket, although it is the strongest Democratic ward in the city, being chairman of the sidewalk and street committee for three years.  His election plainly indicates his personal popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow citizens.