Biographical
Record of Linn County, Iowa
Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company,
1901.
M
Lewis P. Main submitted by Dick
Barton
Among the able representatives of the legal profession now practicing at the
bar of Cedar Rapids is Lewis P. Main, whose office is in Room No. 2, Union
block. He is a native of this state, born in Independence September 1, 1862, and
is a son of Lewis A. and Fanny (Loomis) Main, both of whom were natives of
Madison county, New York, and descendants of good old New England families, the
latter tracing her ancestry back to Elder Brewster and Governor William
Bradford, of the Plymouth colony. she died in Independence, Iowa, in 1899, at
the age of sixty-seven years. In early life the father was a merchant. During
the Civil war he enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and
served as corporal of Company C until the close of the war. He was inactive
service for three years, and after the cessation of hostilities was employed as
chief clerk of the purchasing commissary of the department of the Gulf for
eighteen months. On the expiration of that time he returned to Iowa, and soon
afterward was elected treasurer of Buchanan county, which office he most
creditably filled for six years. He then turned his attention to agricultural
pursuits, owning and occupying a valuable farm near Independence, which he
purchased upon his return from the army. He has always been a stanch supporter
of the Republican party since voting for John C. Fremont in 1856. He was
educated in the Madison University at Hamilton, New York, and is a very well
informed man, who has a large circle of friends and is held in high regard by
all who know him. His children are Helen, at home; Lewis P., our subject;
Willis, a farmer of Buchanan county; and Maurice and Merton, who conduct the
home farm.
Lewis P. Main received his elementary education in the public schools of
Independence and was graduated from the high school at that place in 1879. The
following year he entered the freshman class of Knox College, Galesburg,
Illinois, where he pursued the classical course for four years, graduating in
1884 with the degrees of A. B. and A. M. in course, and then took up the study
of law in the office of Woodward & Cook, of Independence, Iowa, and later
continued his studies along that line with Charles I. Vail, of Blairstown. While
at the latter place he also served as assistant superintendent of the Iowa
Seminary for two years.
In 1888 Mr. Main was admitted to practice before the supreme court of Iowa,
and the same year opened an office in Shelton, Buffalo county, Nebraska, where
he engaged in practice for two years. He then removed to Kearney, Nebraska, and
during the nine years spent at that place became one of its most successful and
prominent lawyers, as well as one of its leading citizens. He built up a large
practice in the local, supreme and federal courts and found a wide field for his
labors in that locality. He argued about fifty cases in the supreme court during
his residence in Nebraska, and met with marked success both professionally and
financially, becoming owner of some valuable property in Kearney, which he still
has in his possession.
Mr. Main was married, in 1887, to Miss Edith Borst, who was born in
Wisconsin, but was then living in Independence, Iowa. They have one daughter,
Grace H., born in 1893. While a resident of Kearney, Nebraska, he was
prominently identified with the Republican party, and as an orator he took a
very active part in campaign work, besides serving as a delegate to the state
conventions and as secretary of the county central committee. He never sought
political honors, though offices were several times tendered him, and he served
as president of the school board in Kearney. He was also quite active and
prominent in literary circles. In 1896 he was a delegate from Nebraska to the
Presbyterian General Assembly at Saratoga, New York, and for ten years was a
member of the board of trustees of Hastings College. He was also a member of the
Ancient Order of United Workmen at Kearney, and was quite active in lodge
matters.
Having always had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in Cedar Rapids,
he removed to this city in 1899, and has been engaged in successful practice
here ever since. Being a man of recognized ability, and having already won a
prominent place in his profession, he has already built up a fair practice,
which is constantly increasing. He now holds membership in the First
Presbyterian church of Cedar Rapids, the Masonic fraternity, Linden Camp, No.
145, M. W. A., of which he is now venerable consul. He is what the world terms a
self-made man for his success is due entirely to his own well-directed efforts,
his close attention to business and his natural ability in his chosen calling.
Alva Mann
One of the most progressive and successful agriculturists of Linn township, is Alva
Mann, who is the owner of a beautiful farm on sections 8, 16 and 17. His entire life has
been passed in this township, where he was born on the 11th of November, 1843, his parents
being Adam and Jennie (Whitlach) Mann, who were honored pioneers of Linn county. His
father was a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, and continued his residence in that
state during his boyhood and youth. When a young man he went to Ohio, where he lived for
four years, and then came to Iowa, crossing the Mississippi eight miles from Muscatine at
Pine Creek, August 8, 1837. On this trip he was accompanied by his prents, David and Nancy
Mann, who located on a farm in Greenfield township, Jones county, where they made their
home until death.
Adam Mann remained with his parents in Jones county until 1840 when he came to Linn
county, and took up his residence on section 8, Linn township, where he entered one
hundred and sixty acres of land from the government. He at once commenced to break and
improve his land, and in his farming operations here he met with marked success, owning at
the time of his death nearly five hundred acres of valuable land in Linn township, though
he had already given some of his children farms. In connection with general farming he
carried on stock raising to some extent. He voted the Democratic ticket, and was an
earnest and consistent member of the Baptist church, as is also his wife. He died on the
old home place, October 6, 1889, at the age of sixty-five years, but she is still living
in Linn township at the age of seventy-six, and enjoys good health. She is a native of
Ohio, and a daughter of John W. and Annie (Mann) Whitlach. Her father was engaged in
farming in Linn township for a great many years, but shortly before his death removed to
Nebraska, where he passed away about twelve yeaars ago. His wife has been dead
twenty-three years.
The subject of this sketch is the second in order of birth in a family of seven
children, the others being as follows: Katherine married John A. Kearns, who died in June,
1900, and she resides on a farm in Linn township; Hamilton died at the age of two years;
William B. is a farmer of southern Kansas; Stephen married Lucy Coleman and died in Linn
township, this county, January 22, 1892, leaving a widow and three children, who reside on
the homeplace on section 10; Nirah is the wife of William Lacock, of Linn township; and
Addie is the wife of Abner Lacock, a farmer of the same township.
Alva Mann grew to manhood upon the home farm and was educated in the district schools
of Linn township. He started out in life for himself upon his present farm, a part of
which was given him by his father, it being a valuable and well improved tract of one
hundred and ninety-five acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultiation and
improved with good buildings. He has given considerable attention to the raising of stock,
and being a man of good business ability and sound judgment, as well as a systematic and
practical farmer, he has met with well-deserved success in his undertakings.
On the 24th of June, 1874, in Franklin township, Mr. Mann was united in marriage with
Miss Alicia Coleman, a daughter of Elisha and Rebecca (Carr) Coleman, both now deceased.
Her father followed farming in Franklin and Linn townships for a number of years, and then
moved to Nebraska, where he lived for some time, but his last days were spent in Kansas,
where he died at the age of seventy-three years. Her mother departed this life in Nebraska
at the age of sixty-nine. In the family were nine children of whom seven are still living.
One of these is Lucy, widow of Stephen Mann, previously mentioned.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mann were born five children, namely: Lena and Stella, both of whom
are at home; Bertie, wife of Otto Dunlap, a cooper of Springville, Brown township, Linn
county; Lillian, who died at the age of sixteen years; and Deverre, at home.
During Mr. Mann's boyhood Linn county was but sparsely settled, and he well remembers
when much of the land was still in its primitive condition and wild game of all kinds was
plentiful. He has seen the wild land transformed into highly cultivated farms, and in the
work of development and upbuilding has ever borne his part, being one of them who has
materially aided in making the county what it is today - one of the richest agricultural
districts in the state. In his political views he is a Democrat, and in religious faith is
Presbyterian, having long been an active and prominent member of the church at Paralta, as
well as one of its trustees. His fellow citizens hold him in high esteem on account of his
honorable and upright life, and he commands the confidence and respect of all who know
him....Pages 360/363. Picture on page 361.
Stephen Mann
On the 22nd of January, 1892, there passed away at his home in Linn township, this
well-known farmer, who had long been numbered among the foremost citizens in his
community. He was born in that town, November 19, 1849, and was a son of Adam and Jennie
(Whitlatch) Mann, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of Alva Mann on another
page of this volume. Our subject was reared on the home farm, his time being divided
between work in the fields and study in the neighboring schools.
On the 2nd of July, 1871, in Linn township, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Mann and
Miss Lucy Coleman, a native of Henry county, Iowa, and a daughter of Elisha and Rebecca
(Carr) Coleman, both now deceased. Her father followed farming in Franklin and Linn
townships, this county, for a number of years and then removed to Nebraska, where he lived
for some time, but his last days were spent in Kansas, where he died at the age of
seventy-three years. Her mother departed this life in Nebraska at the age of sixty-nine.
In the family were nine children, of whom seven are still living.
After his marriage Mr. Mann located on a farm of eighty acres on section 10, Linn
township, given him by his father. He made most of the improvements upon the place and
added to it a tract of forty acres which he purchased. He also bought land in other parts
of the township, and at his death owned over three hundred acres of fine farming land
under a high state of cultivation. He was quite extensively engaged in stock raising, and
being a man of good business and executive ability he met with success in all his
undertakings. He was public-spirited and enterprising, and always gave his support to the
men and measures of the Democratic party. After a lingering illness of five years he
departed this life January 22, 1892, and was laid to rest in the Paralta cemetery. In his
death the community lost one of its best and most highly esteemed citizens, and his loss
was deeply mourned.
There were four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mann, namely: (1) Emmet, born on the home
place August 19, 1872, lives on a farm adjoining his birthplace in Linn Township. He
married Eva Dunlap and they have two children, Ivan and Beulah. (2) Franklin died at the
age of two months. (3) Nora is the wife of Frank I. McShane, a farmer of Paralta, Linn
township, who resides on property formerly owned by her father, and they have one child,
Ethel. (4) Edna was married, January 30, 1901, to Samuel Johnston, and they reside on the
home place with Mrs. Mann.
Samuel Johnston is a son of John and Mary (Kearns) Johnston, who reside on section 22,
Linn township, where his father owns a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred two
and a half acres. He was born December 27, 1822, in Ohio, where he continued to make his
home until coming to Iowa in 1850. Shortly after his arrival in Linn county he located on
the farm which he now occupies and has since successfully engaged in general farming and
stock raising. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious belief is a Presbyterian,
having been elder of that church for a number of years. He has been twice married, his
first wife being a Miss Hyland, who died, leaving one child, Ellen, now the wife of Thomas
Dumont, of Mr. Vernon. For his second wife he wedded Mary Kearns, a daughter of John and
Margaret (Grubaugh) Kearns, who were of German descent, and came to this country in 1853.
By this union were born nine children, of whom two died when young. The others were as
follows: (1) John E., a farmer of Linn township, married Ida Platner, of Mr. Vernon, and
they have three children, Hazel, Grace and Delbert. (2) Charles F., a farmer of Linn
township, married Annie Drach and they have two children, Marvin and Laura. (3) Ina is the
wife of Charles Meek, a carpenter of Mr. Vernon. (4) William E., a farmer of Black Hawk
county, Iowa, married Blanch Strother, of Linn township, this county and they have seven
children, Floyd, Helen, Forest, Gladys, Howard and Dorothy. (5) Henry Clyde, a farmer of
Linn township, married Nora Boxwell, daughter of Robert Boxwell, of that township, and
they have one child, George R. (6) George, a resident of Mr. Vernon, married Grace
Perkins, daughter of William E. Perkins, and is teaching in the district schools of this
county. (7) Samuel completes the family.....Pages 318/321 Picture of Stephen Mann on page
319.
William H. McMullen
Prominent among the railroad men of Cedar Rapids is William H. McMullen, who has made
his home here since February 1882, and during all this time has been connected with the
Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. He was born in Bordentown, New Jersey,
October 13, 1861, and is a son of J. C. and Mary (Cullen) McMullen, natives of
Pennsylvania and New Jersey respectively. On the maternal side he is of Irish ancestry,
and his father's people were members of the Society of Friends. The father has been
identified with railroad interests since a lad of thirteen years, being employed in
various capacities, and now at the age of sixty-five he is serving as yardmaster at Fort
Dodge, Iowa. For thirteen years he ran a train from Philadelphia to New York City on the
Camden & Amboy railroad, but has been a resident of Iowa and connected with the
railroads of this state since 1871. The mother of our subject died in January, 1884. Of
the nine children of the family William H. is the only one living in Linn county, though
three sons make their home in Iowa and the others reside in different parts of the
country.
In early life William H. McMullen lived for a time in Toledo, Ohio, and is mainly
indebted to its public schools for his educational privileges. On starting out in life for
himself he became a messenger boy on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad, and
on leaving that road came to Iowa and entered the employ of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids
& Northern railroad in February, 1882, being a switchman in the yards for some years.
He then went upon the road as fireman, firing for different engineers on the various
divisions for five years. In October, 1887, he was given an engine and was in the regular
freight and extra passenger service until 1897, when he was put on the regular passenger
service and in November, 1900, was given the fast passenger train running between Cedar
Rapids and Albert Lea. Since coming to Iowa in 1882 he has resided permanently in Cedar
Rapids. In 1890 he purchased a lot and erected a residence thereon, but has since sold
that place and built his present home, which has all modern improvements and is located at
729 F avenue west.
Mr. McMullen was married in January 1887, to Miss Joanna Green, who was born in 1862 in
Burlington, Iowa, where her parents both died. Her father, Michael Green, was a contractor
and builder by occupation. She has one brother, John Green, who is a boilermaker by trade.
Mr. McMullen is identified with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, Crescent Lodge, No. 25,
A. F. & A. M. and Division No 159, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers in which he has
held office. Politically he is a Republican. He is one of the most competent engineers and
trusted employes of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad Company, and is
held in the highest esteem by railroad men and all others who have the pleasure of his
acquaintance.
Joseph Mekota, LL. B.
The subject of this review is the leading Bohemian attorney of Cedar Rapids, being a
member of the well-known firm of Bingham & Mekota, who have advanced to high and
honorable distinction in professional circles. He was born in Bohemia on the 17th of
April, 1866, but was only three years old when brought to this country by his parents,
Frank and Dorota (Petrik) Mekota. The family locted near Solon, Johnson county, Iowa,
where the father followed farming with good success for several years, and is now living
retired with a daughter in Cedar Rapids, at the age of sixty-eight. He is a self-made man,
his success in life being due entirely to his own unaided efforts. His wife died in Iowa
City in 1892. In their family were nine children, namely: John, who is now in the employ
of the Parlor City Fuel Company of Cedar Rapids; Anna, wife of Joseph Janko, who lives on
a farm near Western, Iowa; Frank, a business man of Solon; Mary, wife of V. Cuhel, a
farmer of Fairfax township, this county; Joseph, the subject of this sketch; Wesley, who
purchased the old homestead of his father in Johnson county; Fannie, wife of Frank Najt,
of Cedar Rapids; Bessie, wife of Fred Barta, of Cedar Rapids; and Emma. The children were
all educated in the common schools of Johnson county.
Joseph Mekota remained on the home farm with his father until 1890, assisting in the
labors of field and meadow during the summer season, while through the winter he attended
school. He began his education in the country schools of Johnson county, and in 1883
attended Iowa City Academy, and then entered the State University, after which he engaged
in teaching in order that he might complete the college course, and in the fall of 1890
returned to the Iowa State University, and in 1892 completed the regular course; he also
did the junior work in the law department, from which he was graduated in 1893 with the
degree of LL. B. He was married, on the 12th of June, that year, to Miss Mary B. Zika, and
began housekeeping in Cedar Rapids, but returned to Iowa City and was graduated on the
14th of the same month. they have one child, Vega, born in June, 1895.
The day following his graduation Mr. Mekota opened an office in Cedar Rapids, and was
not long in building up a very large and paying practice, which he still enjoys as a
member of the firm of Bingham & Mekota. It is one of the most flourishing firms in the
city, being engaged in general practice in the federal, supreme and district courts of
Iowa, and their patronage comes not alone from this county, but from Johnson and other
adjoining counties. Mr. Mekota commands a very large share of the Bohemian business, and
as counsel represents the largest Bohemian firms and lodges of Cedar Rapids. He has met
with most wonderful success in his chosen profession.
Mr. Mekota is a Democrat in politics, and is a party leader among his own people, but
has never sought political honors. fraternally he is a member of Jan Hus Lodge, I. O. O.
F., which is the only Bohemian lodge of tht order west of the Mississippi river, and is
also a member of the C. S. P. S. Lodge, and the C. S. B. P. J. Lodge. He belongs to the
Western Bohemian Fraternal Association, in which he is now serving as attorney of the
supreme lodge, and is a member of the Woodmen of the World. He was one of the organizers
and promoters of the Bohemian Mutual Fire Association of Cedar Rapids, of which he was a
director for five years; and is a member of the board of directors of the Bohemian
Building & Loan Association and attorney for the same. He is literary in his tastes,
is a well informed man and a good speaker, and is a campaign orator and active worker for
the Democratic party. Mr. Mekota was one of the promoters of the new Bohemian school of
Cedar Rapids, and is a member of the public library board, which is an appointive
position. He takes an active interest in sports of various kinds, and is an ardent
supporter of bowling, in which he is quite proficient.
Adair W. Minot
Adair W. Minot, one of the leading sign painters and
decorators of Cedar Rapids, was born in Rock Island, Illinois, in 1862, his
parents being Loomis A. and Julia E. (Rice) Minot, who were natives of New York
state, and removed to Rock Island in 1859. The father was also a painter
by trade, but eventually became interested in manufacturing and dealing in
shoes, gloves and mittens, which business he carried on at Rock Island until
called to his final rest in April, 1875, at about the age of forty nine years.
The mother died in Cedar Rapids in 1887. They had six children, three of
whom died in infancy, while those living are Adair W. and Homer S. (twins), the
later now a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas; and Grace D., also at Fort Scott,
Kansas.
During his boyhood Adair W. Minot attended the public
schools of his native city until 1878, when at the age of fourteen years he came
to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and was variously employed for the following two years.
In 1880 he commenced learning the art of decorating and sign painting, and has
since devoted his time and energies exclusively to that occupation.
Becoming an expert in his line he was not long in building up the excellent
trade which he now enjoys. His place of business is at 320 Second avenue,
while his home is 124 North First street west, which residence he owns.
In 1887 Mr. Minot led to the marriage altar Miss Mary A.
Bojanorsky, who is of Bohemian origin, though born about five miles south of
Walford, Iowa. Her parents, John and Anna Bojanovsky, were both natives of
Austria, and came to America in 1866 or 1867. In their family were
thirteen children, and all but two are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Minot
have two children, namely: Adair W., born November 1, 1887; and Lillian, born
April 28, 1890. Fraternally Mr. Minot is a member of the Woodman of the
World and the Order of the Sphinx.
George E. Mohn
Among those successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Franklin
township is George E. Mohn, who operates a fine farm of one hundred and
sixty acres on Section 1. He was born in Jones county, Iowa, May 9, 1871 and
is a son of Philip Mohn, who is represented elsewhere in this work. During
his childhood, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Missouri, but
after residing there a short time they returned to Jones county, Iowa, and
four years later came to Linn county.
Our subject attended school in his native county for four years, and
later pursued his studies in a school house located on the boundary line
between Linn and Cedar counties, his education being completed at the age of
twenty years. He worked with his father on the old homestead until his
marriage, and then took full charge of a part of the farm, consisting of one
hundred and sixty acres, which he now occupies. This he has improved and
brought to a high state of cultivation. He seems to have inherited the
thrift and energy as well as the economy of his father, and is one of the
most esteemed young farmers of Linn county. He raises a high grade of
horses, cattle and hogs for market and feeds all his grain to his stock.
Religiously he is a member of the Evangelical church, and politically is
identified with the Republican party. He is now efficiently serving as
school director in his district.
In Jones county, August 9, 1893, Mr. Mohn married Miss Lena A. Muller,
who was born in Shelby county, Iowa, November 9, 1873. Her parents, Conrad
and Minnie (Fisher) Miller, were both natives of Hanover, Germany, and were
young when they came to the new world, their marriage being celebrated in
Clayton county, Iowa, where they lived upon a farm until 1870. Since then
they have made their home in Shelby county. Fifteen children were born to
them, namely: Annie, wife of Fred Strunk, of Yankton, South Dakota; August,
who wedded Mary Dreyfall and resides in Adair county, Iowa; Tena, wife of
Samuel Smith, of Manheim, Pennsylvania; Carl, deceased, who married Sarah
Smith, now a resident of Cass county, Iowa; Dora, deceased, wife of Andrew
Rigger of Jones county, Iowa; Paul, who married Lula Kevan and lives in
Shelby county; Ida, wife of John Heiden, who resides near Denison, Crawford
county, Iowa; Lena, wife of our subject; Herman, a farmer of Shelby county;
David, who married Anna Fillenworth and lives in Adair county, Iowa; Gotleib
and Julius, both residents of Shelby county; Martin, who died in infancy;
Clara, a resident of Shelby county; and Hugo, who died at the age of six
years. To Mr. and Mrs. Mohn have been born two children, namely: Ira J.,
born June 25, 1895, and Carl Edward, born November 25, 1899.
Richard A. Moses
In January, 1896, there came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, this bright and able
lawyer, who has already won a prominent position at the bar of Linn county,
and is enjoying a large and lucrative practice. He comes from the far-off
state of Connecticut, his birth having occurred in Unionville, August 13,
1850. His father, Richard Moses, was also a native of that state, which was
the home of his ancestors for many generations, the family having been
founded there in 1641 by John Moses, who came to this country from England,
and after residing in New Hampshire for a short time removed to Connecticut.
Our subject's great-grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and
at one time owned the land on which the Brooklyn navy yard stands. The
grandfather, Joshua Moses, was one of the defenders of the country in the
war of 1812. Richard Moses, the father of our subject, who was one of the
leading farmers of Hartford county, Connecticut, and a miller by trade, died
in 1860, at the age of fifty years. He married Rachel Norton, who was born
in Connecticut of Scotch ancestry and long survived her husband, dying in
Minnesota February 13, 1900. The family to which she belonged was founded in
Massachusetts in early colonial days. Unto Richard and Rachel (Norton) Moses
were born nine children, but one died in early childhood, another at the age
of fifteen years, and two daughters after they were grown and married. Those
of the family still living are Adrian, a contractor of Connecticut; Emerson,
a farmer and dairyman of Minnesota; Bernard, a professor in the University
of California, who is now in the Philippines on the Taft commission; Richard
A., of this review; and Lucius H., a farmer and stock man of Minnesota. All
were educated in the common schools of Connecticut.
Richard A. Moses first attended the public schools of his native state
and later took a preparatory course at Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham and
Williston Seminary at East Hampton, Massachusetts. Subsequently he entered
Michigan University, Ann Arbor, where he pursued a literary course and was
graduated in 1872 with the degree of A. B. During the following six years he
taught in the state high school at Mantorville, Minnesota, and in the
meantime commenced the study of law, to which he devoted considerable
attention for ten years, and in 1882 was admitted to the bar in Minnesota.
He then engaged in practice at Kasson, that state. He served as county
superintendent of schools in 1879 and 1880, and in 1882 was elected county
attorney. He engaged in the practice of law in partnership with another
gentleman, which connection was continued until his removal to Woonsocket,
South Dakota, in 1887. During his residence there he served as county
superintendent of schools, in connection with his professional duties. On
first coming to Linn county, Iowa, in 1895, Mr. Moses located in Marion,
where he worked up a fair practice, but believing that Cedar Rapids
furnished a better field for his labors he removed to this place in January,
1896, and as a man of ability and enterprise has always built up an
extensive practice.
On the 11th of February, 1877, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Moses
and Miss Florence M. Russell, whose mother was a sister of Judge Lord, of
Minnesota, who was a very prominent man politically in that state. By this
union were born two children, one of whom died in infancy, the other being
Bernice E., at home. The family are attendants of the Episcopal church, and
Mrs. Moses is quite an active worker in the ladies' societies. Mr. Moses has
purchased residence property in Cedar Rapids, where he intends making his
permanent home. He was one of the organizers of the Fraternal Bankers'
Reserve, which was started in January, 1901, and has its main office in
Cedar Rapids. It is a fraternal organization, incorporated under the laws of
the state of Iowa, and has supreme and subordinate lodge system, admitting
both men and women on equal terms. It issues certificates in the sum of six
hundred, twelve hundred and twenty-four hundred dollars on the graded
assessment plan. The officers of the supreme lodge are J. W. Roe, of Cedar
Rapids, president; George F. Johnson, of Des Moines, secretary; William
Bierkamp, Jr., of Bennett, Iowa, banker; R. A. Moses, of Cedar Rapids,
attorney; and Dr. Richard Lord, of Cedar Rapids, medical examiner. As an
attorney Mr. Moses represents some of the large business concerns of his
adopted city. Fraternally he is a Master Mason and a member of the Modern
Brotherhood of America and the Mystic Workers of the World, while
politically he is prominently identified with the Republican party, and
takes an active interest in public affairs.
George T. Munn
Among the self-made men who have successfully followed railroading through-out the
greater part of their active business life is George T. Munn, of Cedar Rapids, who has
been in the employ of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad since March,
1873. He was born in Cliff, county Kent, England, February 16, 1852, and is a son of
Frederick and Sarah (George) Munn. The father, who was a shepherd by occupation, died in
that country in August 1854. In 1870, the mother accompanied by some of her children,
crossed the broad Atlantic and came direct to Cedar Rapids, where she died in 1880, at the
age of sixty-four years. She was a member of the Episcopal church and a most estimable
lady. She had eight children, of whom one died in childhood, and Eliza died in England,
and Walter in Joliet, Illinois, in 1893. Those living are Benjamin B., a resident of Cedar
Rapids; Mrs. Sarah Munn, whose husband is a stationary engineer in California; Ann, widow
of Daniel Street and a resident of England; Frederick, a farmer of England; and George T.,
our subject.
During his boyhood George T. Munn attended the public schools of his native land until
eleven years of age, and then started out to make his own way in the world, working as a
farm hand to assist in the support of the family. He was eighteen years of age when he
came to this country with his mother and took up his residence in Cedar Rapids, where he
was employed as a section hand for a short time. For two years he engaged in farming for
Hon. George Greene, and in March 1873, entered the employ of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids
& Northern Railroad as a car repairer, and also followed various occupations in the
shops until 1883, when he went upon the road as fireman for four years. In 1887 he was
given an engine and has since had a train, running over nearly the whole system. For nine
years he ran between Burlington and Cedar Rapids and made his home in the former city for
eight years of that time. He then returned to Cedar Rapids, and since January 1901, has
had a fast freight, making daily runs between Cedar Rapids and Iowa Falls. During his
entire railroad career he has been very successful and fortunately has met with no
personal injuries, though in 1885 his train ran into a snow plow at Grundy Center, but no
one out of the two crews was hurt.
In 1879 Mr. Munn married Miss Elizabeth Ott, who was born in Quincy, Illinois, May 13,
1856, and was living in Cedar Rapids at the time of their marriage. Her parents are both
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Munn have three children, Otto W., Sadie and Eva B., all at home.
The parents are members of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Munn also belongs to the Odd
Fellows Lodge, No. 141, of Cedar Rapids. His course has also been such as to commend him
to the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.
Thomas E. Munholland
The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success in life has been
worthily achieved and who has won for himself a high position in the business world. This
is a progressive age and he who does not advance is soon left far behind. Mr. Munholland,
by the improvement of opportunities by which all are surrounded, has steadily and
honorably worked his way upward, and is now at the head of an important and paying
industry as proprietor of the Boston Dye Works of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mr. Munholland, by
the improvement of opportunities by which all are surrounded, has steadily and honorably
worked his way upward, and is now at the head of an important and paying industry as
proprietor of the Boston Dye Works of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
A native of New York, he was born in Dutchess county, October 29, 1860. His father,
Robert Munholland, was born on the Rock of Gibraltar, the only child of Robert and Mary
(Powers) Munholland. Robert Munholland, Sr., was a native of Manchester, England, while
his wife was born in Dublin, Ireland, of English parentage. While sergeant in the Queen's
service at Gibraltar, he was killed while trying to capture a band of smugglers, who were
smuggling liquor into the camp of the soldiers. His wife died while returning to England,
leaving the father of our subject an orphan at the age of nine years. From that time on he
worked in Duffy & Company's print (calico) works at Manchester, England, until
twenty-two years of age, becoming manager of the same. When the works were destroyed by
fire he came to the United States, landing at Boston, where he established the Boston Dye
Works. He was so successful there that he established another plant at New York city. He
was married February 5, 1859, to Miss Kate Gibbon, a daughter of John Gibbon, who was born
in Manchester, England, and was manager of the Dutchess Print Company at Wappinger's
Falls, New York. By this union were born four children, namely: John, a retired business
man of Los Angeles, California; Josephine, a teacher in the public schools of Cedar
Rapids; May, wife of Charles Stevenson, an operator on the Chicago & Alton Railroad at
Sedalia, Missouri; and Thomas, our subject. After his marriage the father sold his
business in Boston and New York City and removed to ______county, Illinois where he
secured a section of land, making it his home for two years prior to the Civil war. He
joined the Fifth Illinois Cavalry, being the first of his company to enlist, and with his
regiment went to Missouri, where they were engaged in fighting guerrillas. He was badly
injured by being thrown from his horse, and was sent to the hospital at Camp Butler,
Springfield, Illinois. While there the smallpox broke out in the hospital and he was
appointed as a physician to care for the patients, having studied chemistry in his early
days. He was so successful in his treatment of the disease that he was appointed by
Governor Yates, of Illinois, as hospital steward at Camp Butler, and was given charge of
all supplies. He then sent for his wife and two sons and remained there three years. At
the close of the war he was honorably discharged and returned to New York, but after
spending a short time there he located in Bloomington, Illinois, where he started a steam
dye works. He made his home there until his death, which occurred July 22, 1887.
Thomas Munholland was educated at Poughkeepsie, New York, and Bloomington, Illinois,
attending school in the latter place until fifteen years of age, when he returned to New
York and commenced learning calico printing in the dye department of the Dutchess Print
works. He spent two years in tht factory and then returned to Bloomington, where he was
engaged in business with his father, remaining there until his marriage. At the age of
twenty-two he wedded Miss Lillian Preble, of Lexington, Illinois, a daughter of Charles
Preble, who was a large stockman and a member of the Chicago Board of Trade.
On the 17th of March, 1886, Mr. Munholland removed to Cedar Rapids and established the
Boston Dye Works, his first location being where the postoffice now stands. Later he
bought the place where he is now located. On coming to Cedar Rapids he had only
thirty-three dollars in cash, but he has prospered in business here through his
perseverance, capable management and determination to succeed. At the age of sixteen he
went to Michigan where he had charge of a system of pumps in the iron mines for a year,
and during that time saved enough money to buy a piece of land, which he sold for one
hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Munholland is the breeder of some of the finest spaniels in
this country, and is a lover of sport with the rod or gun. For seventeen years he has been
a member of the Iowa National Guards, and has held office from first corporal to first
lieutenant. He has received three honorable discharges, and has served three years in
Company C, of Cedar Rapids. In his political views he is a stanch Republican. Fraternally
he is a member of Crescent Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M., Trowel Chpter, No. 49, R. A.
M., the Knights of Pythias, the Sons of Veterans, and the Modern Woodmen of America, and
is a liberal contributor to church and kindred work.
Joseph Mutchler
For a period of over thirty-four years the subject of this review was prominently
identified with the farming interests of Linn county, owning and operating a fine farm of
three hundred and twenty acres near Center Point, but he has now laid aside active labor
and is living retired in that village. He was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, on
the 5th of July, 1840, and is a son of Jacob Mutchler, a native of Germany, who came to
the
new world with his father, Mathias Mutchler, and located in Lycoming county Pennsylvania.
On reaching manhood Jacob Mutchler was married there to Miss Elizabeth Birch, who
was born in that state of German parentage. He owned and operated a farm and
sawmill, being engaged in the manufacture of lumber for some
years. In 1849 he removed to Crawford county, Ohio, where he followed agricultural
pursuits until coming to Linn county, Iowa, in 1864. He located on a farm in Grant
township and continued to make his home here until about twelve years before being called
to his final rest in the spring of 1894, at the age of eighty-four years. His wife
had passed away some years previous, dying in 1877.
Joseph Mutchler was fourth in order of birth in a family of six
children born to Jacob Mutchler and wife, the others being: Sophia, deceased, was the wife
of John Herely, and they made their home in Grant township; Benjamin was killed by an
accident at the age of nine years; Mary, deceased, was the wife of Rev. J. S. Schneider
and were residents of Ohio; Our subject was next in order of birth; Rosie, wife of Fred
Herely, resides in Center Point, where he is living retired; Sarah, widow of John Leonard,
makes her home in Center Point.
Joseph Mutchler spent the days of his boyhood and youth on his
father's farm in Ohio, and attended the district schools of that locality. When the
country became involved in civil war he laid aside all personal interests and in August,
1862, enlisted in Company K, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to
the Army of the Tennessee, under the command of General Dodge, and later under General
John A. Logan, being transferred from the Sixteenth to the Fifteenth Army Corps. His
first engagement was a skirmish in Mississippi, and was followed by the battles of
Corinth, Mississippi, Tuscumbia, Alabama, Lay Ferry, Georgia, and Rome Cross Roads, where
he received a gunshot through the left thigh and was in the hospitals at Nashville,
Tennessee, Louisville, Kentucky, and other places for about two months. After
rejoining his regiment at Atlanta he went with Sherman on the memorable march to the sea,
and took part in the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, which was the last engagement
of the war. The army then marched north through Richmond to Washington, D. C., and
participated in the grand review. Mr. Mutchler's regiment was then sent to
Louisville,
Kentucky, and was finally mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio, being discharged in July,
1865.
In the meantime our subject's parents had removed to this county,
and on leaving the army he rejoined them here, remaining under the parental roof one year,
while he commenced to break and improve an eighty-acre tract of land which he had
purchased. In 1866 he located upon his farm and successfully engaged in its
cultivation for over a third of a century. He has added to his property from time to
time until he now has three hundred and twenty acres, and has made many useful and
valuable improvements upon the place, including the erection of good buildings.
Besides this farm he owns another in Linn county, and one hundred
and fifteen acres of land partly in Benton county and partly in Linn county, Iowa.
Renting the homestead in 1900 he has since lived a retired life in Center Point,
where he built a good brick residence in the summer of 1900.
On the 15th of November, 1866, Mr. Mutchler was married, in Linn
county, to Miss Ella Rogers, who was born in Ohio, but was reared in this county, her
father being one of its pioneer settlers. By this union were born five children,
namely: Jacob S., who holds a position as pharmacist in Iowa City; Edwin F., who is now
successfully engaged as principal of the school in Manley, Iowa, and has held a state
certificate for four years; John A., who has been engaged in the practice of medicine at
Swea City, Iowa, for two years; Ira, at home; and Jennie Belle, who died at the age of
three yers. The mother of these children died May 28, 1889, and for his second wife
Mr. Mutchler married, Februry 25, 1891, Miss Florence Gilchrist, a sister of Lawrence
Gilchrist, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. She was born
and reared in Linn county. To this marriage was born one child, Margaret Josie, who was born May 2, 1893, and died August 8, 1897, and
interred in the Center Point cemetery.
Mr. Mutchler cast his first presedential vote for Stephen A.
Douglas, the "little giant" but since then has been a stanch supporter of the
Republican party and its principles. He takes an active interest in educational
affairs and has served as a member of the school board. He is a member of Dennison
Post, No. 244, G. A. R., of which he is past commander, and he has been a delegate to the
state encampment and also to the national encampment at Milwaukee. Both have held membership in the Evangelical church.
As a business man he has been eminently successful, and the prosperity that has
come to him is certainly well deserved, as it is due entirely to his own industry,
perseverance and good business ability.
|
