Andrew J. Harvey submitted by Sandra Sanchez

The subject of this sketch is a popular and influential citizen of Troy Mills, where he has successfully engaged in mercantile business for fifteen years.  He is a native of this county born on the 21 st. of September 1844, and is the son of Henry Harrison and Rachael(ellis) Harvey. In their family of five children, he was the third in order of birth, and only himself and sister, Mrs. John Puch of Troy Mills, are now living. The father died when our subject was quite young.  Mr. Harvey was reared and educated in this county, and at the age of twenty years started out to make his own way in the world. For some time he worked at La Fayette. On the 29th of October 1886, he came to Troy Mills, where in partnership with James Breydon  he purchased the store of Worth Jackson. subsequently he bought his partners interest in the business and now conducts the store alone.   He carries a large and well selected stock of general merchandise, and by fair and honorable dealings has built up an excellent trade. he also owns a farm which is devoted to stock raising, and is engaged in the butcher business, conducting a market in connection with his store.

When the country became involved in Civil War, Mr Harvey enlisted in August 1862, in Company A., Twenty first Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service for three years, taking part in the seige of Vicksburg, and the
celebrated march to the sea under the command of General Sherman.  When the war was over and his services were no longer needed , he was mustered out at Davenport Iowa   AJuly 3, 1865. He is now a prominent member of Orwein Post, No. 509, G.A.R. in which he has held the ofices of quartermaster and comander, and he also belongs to the Masonic Lodge at Walker. He was always affliated with the Republican Part since he cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs. He has served as trustee of his township for several years, and in all the varied relations of life has been found true to every trust reposed in him.

Anton Holubar

Many of Linn county's most progressive and successful citizens have come from beyond the sea, and through their own well-directed efforts have become prosperous men.  To this class belongs Anton Holubar, who was born in Austria October 10, 1845, and is a son of Joseph and Frances (Hyake) Holubar, natives of the same country.  There he attended school for four years, the children of Austria only being required to attend school seven years, but he came to America before the expiration of that time.  It was in 1855 that the family took passage at Hamburg on the Johanna, a sailing vessel, which dropped anchor in the harbor of Quebec after a voyage of six weeks.  By boat and train they at once proceeded to Rock Island, Illinois, then crossed the
Mississippi to Muscatine, and from there went to Johnson county, Iowa, where the father purchased sixty-five acres of land, on which he resided until his death, which occurred November 21, 1896, his remains being interred in a Catholic cemetery near Solon on Thanksgiving day.  His widow is still living and resides at Solon, Johnson county.   Unto them were born five children, namely: Stephen married and went to California, where his death occurred: Joseph, who served for three years in Company K, Twenty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war, wedded Mary Chudachick, now deceased, and resides in Iowa City; Anton, our subject is next in order of birth; Ferdinand mrried Frances Kotaze and lives in Oelwein, Iowa; and
Anna died at the age of two years.

Anton Holubar remained at home until his marriage, which was celebrated in Iowa City February 12, 1869, Miss Anna Smith becoming his wife.  She was also born in Austria, September 1, 1849, and came to the United States in 1855 with her parents, Jacob and Mary (Kuchara) Smith, whose whole life had been spent in Austria up to that time.  On landing in this country they came direct to Iowa, and took up their residence in Johnson county, where the father purchased forty acres of timber land, which he at once commenced to clear and improve.  He died suddenly while at work in the field in the fall of 1858, and the mother departed this life in 1886, both being laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery near Solon.  They had four children: Mary, who first
married Jacob Kuchara, who was killed in the Civil war while serving as a member of the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and for her second husband she wedded George Schenischeck, of Johnson county; Barbara, deceased wife of John Elick, of the same county; Anna, wife of our subject; and one who died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Holubar have become the parents of five children, all born in Johnson county with the exception of the youngest, who was born in Linn county.  In order of birth they are as follows: Ferdinand, born January 4, 1870, married Jennie Hildebrandt, by whom he has one child, Hilda, and they reside in Cedar Rapids; Anton, born November 12, 1872, married Anna Schenischeck, by whom he has two children, Roy and Maggie, and
they reside in Johnson county; Frank, born August 23, 1880, assists his father in the operation of the home farm; Joseph, born March 23, 1883, died at the age of eighteen months;  Annie, born Janury 23, 1887, is still attending the home school.

After his marriage Mr. Holubar bought a farm of ninety acres in Johnson county, where he made his home for fifteen years, and then purchased one hundred and fifty-six acres of land on sections 14,15 and 22, Franklin township, Linn county, where he has since resided.   He has extended its boundaries until they now contain two hundred and sixteen acres, upon which he has made many substantial improvements, which add greatly to the value and attractive appearance of the place.  He has a good modern residence and a fine barn.  He raises a high grade of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs for market, and is meeting with eminent success in his undertakings.  He has served as school director in his district, and has always taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs.  In politics he is a Democrat, and in religious faith a Catholic.

Joseph Hunter

This old and honored resident of Washington township is now living a retired life on his farm on section 8, about a mile and a half from Center Point, where he has now made his home for forty years. He was born in the town of Mooers, Clinton county, New York, March 8, 1816, and in early life learned the trade of making broom iron, at which he worked in Schuyler's Falls and Saranac for about thirty years.

Mr. Hunter was married, in his native county, February 15, 1844, to Miss Sarah Ann Thomas, and continued his residence there until coming to Linn county, Iowa, in 1862. On his arrival here he purchased the farm which he now occupies, consisting of one hundred and fifty acres, but at that time only two acres had been cleared and the only improvement was a log cabin, into which he and his family moved. He has since erected good and substantial buildings upon the place, has put up a wind pump, drawing water from a well which he had to drill one hundred and seventy feet through limestone rock. He has made many other valuable improvements until it is now a most desirable farm. For the past ten years his son Samuel has operated the farm, while he practically lives retired.

Mr. Hunter owns a good residence at Center Point, where he lived about a year, but after the death of his wife he returned to the farm. She passed away in August, 1894. They were the parents of nine children, of whom six are still living, namely: Henry is married and lives in Mt. Vernon; Permelia is the wife of James Morris, a farmer of Linn county; Joseph and Alexander are also married, and follow farming in this county; Samuel, who operates the old homestead, married Emma Dennison, a daughter of Jonathan Dennison, an old settler and substantial farmer of this county; and Julia is the wife of Thomas Chambers, of Mt. Vernon. Mr. Hunter also has eighteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Hunter has never failed to support the Democratic party at each presidential election, and is a believer in Jeffersonian principles. He merits and receives the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens, and wherever known he is held in high regard.