This well-known and popular photographer of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was born in Bloomington, Illinois, on the 8th of January, 1865, a son of Otto and Harriet (Luttenburg) Kadgihn, who were born in Germany, and on coming to America settled in McLean county, Illinois, at an early day. The father, who was engaged in business in Bloomington, Illinois, died there at the age of seventy -three years, but the mother is still living and continues to reside in that city. Of their eight children five also survive the father, our subject being the youngest.

During his boyhood and youth Henry Kadgihn attended the public schools of Bloomington, and also the Normal School at Normal, Illinois. After finishing his education he entered the studio of J. J. Mayes, of Bloomington, and during the three years spent there he thoroughly mastered the photographic art. Since then he has engaged in business for himself. For four years he conducted a studio in Bloomington, and then came to Cedar Rapids, but after a short time spent here he removed to Decatur, Illinois. In 1892 he returned to Cedar Rapids, and has since carried on business at this place. He possesses considerable artistic talent, and always keeps abreast of the latest improvements known to his profession. He is therefore one of the best photographers of the city, and receives a liberal share of the public patronage. In his political views he is a Democrat. Mr. Kadgihn is recognized as the leader of his profession in the state of Iowa. Many of the photographs from which the engravings illustrating this Record were made being his work.

Philip H. Kafer

This progressive and enterprising agriculturist residing on section 20, Brown township, within two miles of Springville, is one of Linn county's native sons, born near Marion, on the 17th of January 1861. His father Jacob Kafer, was born in Germany about 1830, and was seventeen years of age when he came to the United States. After spending about a year in Pennsylvania, he came to Iowa in 1845, and took up his residence in Linn county. Here he married Catherine Fink, who was born in Ohio of German parentage. As early as 1840, her father Louis Fink, brought his family to this county, and pre-empted land in Linn township, near Mt. Vernon, where he opened up and improved a farm. On the death of Mr. Kafer, Sr., the father of our subject succeeded to the old homestead two miles from Mt. Vernon, and to its further improvement and cultivation he devoted his energies for many years, making it one of the best improved farms in Linn township. After the death of his wife, which occurred in 1890, he removed to Mt. Vernon, and has since lived retired with a daughter, although he still looks after his farming interests. He has two sons and four daughters living.

Philip H. Kafer passed the days of his boyhood and youth on the old home farm, and after attending the public schools of that locality for some years, he was a student at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, for a time. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which was celebrated in Linn township, January 18, 1886, Miss Ida Catherine Deck becoming his wife. She was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Thomas Deck, a well-known farmer of Linn township, this county. Here she was reared and was educated in the common and high schools of Libon. Mr. and Mrs. Kafer have one child, Edith May.

After his marriage our subject continued on his father's farm until 1888, when he purchased the farm of eighty acres on section 20, Brown township, where he now resides, and has since engaged in its cultivation. He has erected thereon a good modern residence, heated by a furnace and supplied with hot and cold water, and has a bath room and cellar, and in fact all of the conveniences found in a city home, it being one of the best farm houses in the township. There is also a good barn and other outbuildings upon the place and it is adorned with beautiful shade and fruit trees. Well kept fences divide sixty acres of the land into ten acre fields, and there is one field of twenty-five acres. Mr. Kafer raises a good grade of cattle and hogs, and in all his undertakings is meeting with marked success, being a good practical farmer of sound common sense. His political support is given the Democratic party, but he cares nothing for official honors. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Springville, and is a man whose pleasant, genial manner has made him many friends. On starting out in life for himself he received no financial aid, but is now the owner of a valuable farm, and is entirely free from debt.

At the age of eleven years James Knapp accompanied his parents on their removal from Ohio to Indiana, and in the subscription schools of the latter state he acquired his early education. The school house was built of logs, with seats made of split logs with pegs for legs. In 1833 the family went to Michigan and located near Niles where they made their home for about twelve years. While there our subject learned the blacksmith's trade with his father who made that occupation his life work. In 1843 he came to Linn county, Iowa and took up a claim two miles north of Bertram, a part of which was wild prairie land and the remainder timber. He lost his property after residing there for a year, as the claim was entered under him and taken from him. The following year he operated a rented farm and then removed to the present site of Bertram, where he worked as a farm hand by the month for about three years. The following year he rented another farm and at the end of that time went to Illinois, his wife having died in the meantime. After two years spent in that state he returned to Bertram and worked for others for two years. He next bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 3, Bertram township, which at that time was all raw prairie and timber land, which he placed under excellent cultivation and improved with good buildings, including a comfortable home. In connection with general farming he raises cattle for market.

On the 7th of December, 1840, in Indiana, Mr. Knapp was united in marriage with Miss Mary Christman, who died in 1848. Of the four children born of that union, two are still living, namely: Lewis, a resident of Michigan; and Asa, who married Margaret Duncan and lives in Bertram, Iowa. Mr. Knapp was again married in Illinois November 22, 1849, his second union being with Miss Martha Christman, who died in 1896. To them were born five children: Mary, now the wife of John Stoneking, of Bertram; Henry, who resides at home with his father; Catherine, deceased wife of Colonel Mohler, of Bertram; George, who wedded Mary Johnvin and lives in Michigan; and Andrew, who married Birdie Banks and resides on the homestead farm.

Religiously Mr. Knapp is a member of the Methodist church, and politically is identified with the Democratic party. He has been honored with several local offices, having served as school director and trustee for a number of years and as justice of the peace and road supervisor for several years each. His official duties were always faithfully and conscientiously discharged, winning for him the commendation of all concerned.

L. B. Kramer

L. B. Kramer, who owns and operates a good farm on section 22, Bertram township, is one of Linn county's native sons, born February 22, 1841, and is a worthy representative of one of her honored pioneer families. His father, Louis A. Kramer, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, on the 7th of December, 1812, and was married in Fayette county, that state, September 31, 1834, to Rebecca Varner, a native of Virginia. In 1837 they removed to Ohio, and two years later came to Iowa, locating in Marion township, Linn county. This state was then a territory and was inhabited mainly by Indians, who were quite friendly to Mr. Kramer. He would allow them to camp on his land, and they often came to the house and slept on the floor. Deer and other wild game was also plentiful at that time and furnished many a meal for the early settlers. When Mr. Kramer first located here there was only one log house in the county, which was built by a Mr. Hahn. The Kramer family lived in true pioneer style, while the father, with the assistance of his sons, cleared, broke and improved his farm. He died September 18, 1896, at the age of eighty-three years, and his wife passed away March 12, 1887, at the age of sixty-nine years, eight months and twelve days.

In the family of this worthy couple were ten children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being as follows: William Andrew, the oldest, married Elizabeth Bell, now deceased, and resides in Cedar Rapids; Ann Elizabeth is the widow of John Higgins and lives north of Marion; L. B., our subject, is next in order of birth; Rachel M. is the widow of William Garnett and resides in Montezuma, Iowa; Scott married Elizabeth Wildman and makes his home on a farm in Linn Grove; Zachariah Taylor married Haley Todd and lives near Waverly, Iowa; Margaret E. is the wife of John Miller of Avery, Oklahoma; and Edward H. married Catherine Harkness and resides at Paris, north of Marion, Iowa.

During his boyhood L. B. Kramer aided in the work of the farm and pursued his studies in the district schools of Linn Grove until eighteen years of age, after which he devoted his entire time and energies to agricultural pursuits. A month before he attained his majority, he was married in Bertram township, January 19, 1862, to Miss Margaret Paul, who was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, September 29, 1841, and is a daughter of Jonathan and Dorcas (Wilson) Paul, also natives of that county, the former born at Davistown, October 24, 1817, the latter September 26, 1817. Her parents were married December 20, 1840, and in the spring of 1843 came west to Linn county, Iowa, locating on a farm in Linn Grove, now known as the Jake McShane farm. After residing there four years they sold out and removed to Dubuque county, Iowa, where Mr. Paul owned and operated a farm for nine years. At the end of that time he returned to this county and purchased two hundred and forty acres on section 22, Bertram township, to which he subsequently added. He made the journey to this state from Pennsylvania by the river route, and landed at Muscatine in limited circumstances, his property consisting of one horse, a set of harness, a half interest in a wagon, a few household goods, and twenty-five dollars in money. Loading his wagons with provisions at Muscatine, he started overland for Linn county, and encountered many difficulties on the journey, as all streams had to be forded and there were but few roads. He first located on a squatter's claim, but as time advanced he prospered in business, and became extensively interested in breeding, feeding, buying and selling cattle. He was widely known as a stock buyer and an excellent judge of cattle. He continued that business until 1890, when failing health compelled his retirement, and he was succeeded by his son, J. T. Paul. Politically he was a life-long Democrat, believing the principles of that party to be for the best interests of the people. Although not a member of any church or religious society, he was a firm believer in the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God. He was temperate and a man of strict integrity, and had the confidence and respect of all who knew him. He died January 12, 1901. Of his seven children Mrs. Kramer is the oldest; William S., the second in order of birth, married Susan Campbell and resides in Lake City, Calhoun county, Iowa; George married Ann Ford and lives on a farm near Springville, this county; Wilson married Lair Derr, now deceased, and also resides near Springville; Rachel M. is the wife of Preston Dean, a farmer near Bertram township; Alexander H. lives on the old homestead farm in this county; and Jonathan T. married Susan Daniels, and also lives on the home farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Kramer became the parents of the following children: Andrew J., born November 16, 1862, died January 13, 1887; Dorcas E., born May 31, 1864, was married April 5, 1889, and died April 12, 1890, leaving one child, Ethel K.; Rebecca J., born December 12, 1865, was married September 24, 1884, to John H. Berry, of Johnson county, Iowa, and they have three children, Charles K., Robert and Mary M; Abraham L., born Marach 19, 1868, died February 15, 1893; George L., born April 13, 1870, assists his father in the management of the farm; Anna E., born November 4, 1872, died March 1, 1898; and Isaac L., born March 18, 1876, Robert C., born June 21, 1878; Rachel M., born June 27, 1889, and Alexander H., born January 24, 1883, are all at home.