Biographical
Record of Linn County, Iowa
Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company,
1901.
E
George H. Easterly
Prominent among the representative farmers and highly esteemed citizens of Franklin
township is numbered George H. Easterly, whose home is on section 2. He was born in
Kosciusko county, Indiana, May 18 , 1844, and on the paternal side is of German descent.
His grandfather, Lawrence Easterly, Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania, and not only worked
at the blacksmith's trade but also engaged in preaching as a minister of the United
Brethren church. At an early day he accompanied his parents on their removal to Richland
county, Ohio, where his father entered a tract of government land, and he assisted in the
arduous task of clearing away the timber and placing the land under cultivation. He
erected a church on the farm and also laid out a cemetery, which became his resting place,
as he died in Richland county.
Lawrence Easterly, Jr., the father of our subject, was born in Cumberland county,
Pennsylvania, June 1, 1814, and grew to manhood on his father's farm. He married Miss
Rebecca Hammon, a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, and continued to reside upon his
father's farm until 1842, when he removed to Kosciusko, Indiana, where he bought one
hundred and sixty acres of land, only five acres of which had been broken, the remainder
being timber land. After clearing about fifty acres he came to Iowa in 1861, and spent
three years in Cedar county. He then bought a farm in Greenfield township, Jones county,
where he made his home until 1870, and he came to Linn county and purchased a farm on
section 2, Franklin township. There he continued to reside throughout the remainder of his
life, his death occurring February 11, 1888. In his family were six children, namely: Mary
Ellen, wife of Henry Towns, of Hamburg, Fremont county, Iowa; George H., our subject;
Albert, a resident of Mechanicsville, Cedar county, who first married Louisa Coleman, and
after her death wedded Catherine Noos; John, who married Nancy Robinson and resides in
Defiance, Shelby county, Iowa; Catherine, who died at the age of one year; and Emma, wife
of George Miller, a farmer of Franklin township, Linn county.
In the spring of 1861 George H. Easterly came with the family to Iowa. He had
previously acquired a good practical education in the schools of Indiana, and had also
gained an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits while aiding his father in the work
of the home farm. Buying a threshing machine and breaking plow, he started out in life for
himself in 1868, and for five years after his marriage he engaged in farming upon rented
land. He then purchased forty acres of land from his brother, and his father gave him a
tract of similar size, to which he added by subsequent purchase until he now has one
hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land on section 2, Franklin township. He has a
good modern residence and substantial barns and outbuildings upon the place, and the neat
and thrifty appearance of the farm plainly indicates his careful supervision and good
business ability.
On the 14th of March, 1870, in Jones county, Iowa, Mr. Easterly was united in marriage
with Miss Catherine Ann Spade, who was born in Marion county, Ohio, September 9, 1848, and
is a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Moyier) Spade, both natives of Pennsylvania, where
they continued to make their home until after their marriage. From that state they removed
to Ohio, where the father first worked at the millwright's trade, and also engaged in the
marble business, and later followed farming. In 1852 he brought his family to Iowa and
located on a farm in Jones county, two and a half miles east of Fairview, where he made
his home for some years. He then came to live with his daughter, the wife of our subject,
where he died very suddenly a few weeks later. He had ten children, six sons and four
daughters, namely: Elizabeth, wife of Emanuel Newman, of Martelle, Iowa; Passa, deceased
wife of Daniel Moyier, of Adair county, Iowa; Rosina H., wife of Robert Hester, of Texas;
Catherine A., wife of our subject; Elijah, who died at the age of sixteen years; John, who
died in infancy; Ami, who married Rose Underwood and lives in southern Kansas; George, a
resident of Martelle, Iowa; William L., who married Alice Rudisil and resides in South
Dakota; and Jacob, who married Emma Brown and makes his home in the same state.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Easterly were born eight children, as follows: Ida E., born in Jones
county February 25, 1871, is the wife of Samuel Doubenmier, who lives on a farm near
Alburnett, Linn county, and they have one child, Fay; Esta, born in Linn county October 2,
1873, died January 21, 1893; Vadie, born February 24, 1875, is at home; Roxie, born
February 27, 1877, is the wife of Charles Hill, of Mt. Vernon, and they have one child,
Mary May; Willard, born October 3, 1882, is at home with his parents; Clemence, born
August 10, 1881, died June 7, 1886; Huldah, born July 10, 1884, is also at home; and
Delbert, born October 2, 1889, died March 9, 1897. Mrs. Easterly is a member of the
Lutheran church, and the family are people of the highest respectability, who have a large
circle of friends and acquaintances in the community where they reside.
Johnston Elliott, Jr.
For over a third of a century this gentleman was prominently identified with the
commercial interests of Marion, Iowa and was numbered among its foremost citizens. He was
born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, on the 21st of February, 1842, and came with his parents to
Marion, Iowa, April 6, 1856, when fourteen years of age. When a mere boy he engaged in
teaming between here and Muscatine, carrying grain and produce to that city and returning
with merchandise for the stores in Marion, and later he was employed as clerk in the
general store of A. Daniels & Company, acquiring a good knowledge of mercantile
business during the few years spent with them. In August, 1865, he embarked in the grocery
business at Marion in prtnership with his brother Milton, and continued to engage in that
line of trade until 1884 when he retired from business until June 1889. He then turned his
attention to the lumber business, which he carried on in connection with his son-in-law
for several yers under the firm name of the Elliott-Davis Lumber Company. He was also
interested in the Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Marion but during the last six
years of his life lived retired from active business.
On the 21st of March, 186?, Mr. Elliott was united in marriage with Miss Esther
Primrose, of West Dryden, New York, who still survives him. Unto them were born three
children, but Nellie, now Mrs. T. J. Davis, is the only one now living. Lavernie and
George died of scarlet fever in 1878 within a few days of each other, the former at the
age of eight, the latter at the age of three years.
Mr. Elliott died in Marion, April 17, 1899, and his death came as a loss to each
individual of the community, as well as to his immediate family. He was one of the leading
and representative citizens of Marion, as well as one of its most active and enterprising
business men, ranking among its strongest men financially. He always took a prominent part
in advancing any enterprise for the good of the city, and was preeminently public spirited
and progressive.
One who knows him well said of Mr. Elliott that he did not lack in many of the virtues
and excellencies which go to make up what is popularly termed a good man. He did not lack
in any good business qualification. He was strictly and exclusively a business man, and
his ambition was to make a success of business, which he did. He prospered in every
undertaking and his labors were crowned with success. He disdained mean competition, low
tricks in trade, which have ruined many another. He was always fair and upright; was
genial, warm and cordial in his greetings in business relations, and it was a pleasure to
do business with him. Mr. Elliott did not lack in those qualities which command the
respect, confidence and admiration of the people. He drew these as a merchant, citizen and
man, from all classes in a marked degree. While he never held any office, he could have
had any position in the gift of the people had he consented to their oft-repeated
solicitations. He felt that one thing well done, one business well established and
successfully built up, was far better for himself and his town than many things partially
accomplished and nothing a complete success. He liberally patronized every laudable
enterprise for the improvement of the town and help of its needy. He was large and open
hearted and was especially fond of children. In turn they loved him for he always had a
smile, a word of cheer and a drive for all. No man was more companionable and
entertaining, or thoughtful for the comfort and happiness of those about him, and he
lacked in none of those qualities which constitute a good husband and father.
John S. Ely
John S. Ely is one of the public spirited citizens of Cedar Rapids to
whose energy and enterprise the city is indebted for many improvements.
While Mr. Ely, as a prosperous business man, has given close attention to
his private affairs, he has never forgotten or ignored that bond of common
interest which should unite the people of every community and is a liberal
supporter of all philanthropic work.
Mr. Ely was born in Cedar Rapids on the 18th of November, 1853, and is a
son of John F. and Mary A. (Weare) Ely, who are represented on another page
of this volume. His elementary education was obtained in the one school
house afforded during his boyhood. Later he entered Princeton College, where
he pursued a classical course and was graduated in 1877, with the degree of
A. B. During the following two years he was engaged in mining in Utah, and
at the end of that time returned to Cedar Rapids, where he has since made
his home. For a time he held a position in the office of the Williams
Harvester Works, and has since engaged in various lines of business, in
which he has been quite successful. At present he is devoting his time and
energies to the real estate business, and is also serving as vice-president,
secretary and treasurer of the Cedar Rapids & Marion City Railway
Company, with which he has been connected since its organization and has
always held some office in the company.
In 1881 Mr. Ely was married in Cedar Rapids to Miss Bessie E. Shaver, a
native of Vinton, Iowa, and a daughter of I. H. Shaver, of Cedar Rapids, and
to them have been born four children, namely: John M., Mary Esther,
Frederick S. and Martha W., three of whom are either attending the public
schools or Coe College of Cedar Rapids.
Politically Mr. Ely is identified with the Republican party, and takes an
active interest in its welfare, while fraternally he affiliates with the
Sons of Veterans and the Loyal Legion. He and his wife are both connected
with the First Presbyterian Church, and she is a very active worker in
church societies, and also in the Ladies' Literary Societies of the city.
Mr. Ely is truly benevolent, and the poor and needy count him among their
friends for no worthy one ever sought his aid in vain. He has always been
especially active in philanthropical work, and was instrumental in
organizing the home for aged women, of which he is now trustee. He is also a
trustee of the Young Men's Christian Association and of Coe College, giving
the latter institution his special care. His private interests must always
give way to the public good, and thus he has become honored and esteemed by
all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance who have met him in a business
way.
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