The Daniels Families of Linn County, Iowa

JEREMIAH DANIELS, deceased, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., and was a son of Ebenezer Daniels. In early years he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade, and. removing to Columbiana County. Ohio, in early manhood, he there labored at his trade for several years, and subsequently engaged in mercantile pursuits. Our subject was married in Columbiana County, Ohio, to Miss Susanna Purkey, a native of Maryland. Thirteen children were born to them, only five of whom lived to attain the age of majority. Mary A. is the widow of W. II. Harrison, a distant relative of President Harrison, ami she is living in Stark County, Ohio; John J. married Martha Kinley, a Quakeress, and is living in Bertram Township; Rachel is the wife of Aquilla C. Campbell, of Greene County, Iowa; Catherine is the widow of Jacob Irey, and is living in Cedar Rapids; Samuel is Justice of the Peace at Marion, and his biography appears elsewhere in this work. Jeremiah Daniels is a pioneer of this county of 1844, emigrating here from Ohio, and taking up his above in Bertram Township, near Bertram, in which village he engaged in mercantile pursuits. At that time there was but little money in the county, and Mr. Daniels exchanged his g Is for wheat, which he stored at what was then West Port. lie built a flat-boat the following year, and shipped his wheat to St. Louis, realizing a g I price for it at that day. He also entered land in what is now Bertram Township, which he farmer, and in addition to the duties appertaining to a farm life, erected a sawmill and operated it. In 1852 he made a trip overland to Oregon, ami was there engaged in lumbering for a time, and returned home via San Francisco and New York, after an absence of two years. Selling his mill in 1857, he moved to Kingston, now West Cedar Rapids. In 1860 he purchased a mill site at Bertram, on which he erected a flouring-mill, and continued to make Bertram his home until his death, which occurred in August, 1883. His good wife had preceded him to the home beyond, her demise occurring in September, 1873. The father was a member of the Christian Church, and the mother of the German Baptist Church. Both were active laborers in the cause of the Master.

Mr. Daniels was a Whig in early life, but on the formation of the Republican party in 1856, he joined its ranks and continued to vote with it and uphold its principles until his death. He was an active, energetic business man — prompt in the discharge of every obligation, and, while he was exacting as to getting his own just dues, he was as equally sure to pay the last penny justly due from him to others. He possessed the confidence, respect and esteem of his neighbors and acquaintances, as a just and upright man.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SAMUEL DANIELS, Justice of the Peace and insurance and real-estate agent at

Marion, was a pioneer of this county of

1846. He was born in Columbiana

County, Ohio, May, 15, 1839, and is the son of

Jeremaih and Susanna (Purkey) Daniels. The father of our subject was born in Pennsylvania, of

Scotch-Irish descent, and his mother was a native of Maryland and of Holland-Dutch descent.

Samuel Daniels came to Linn County with his parents in the spring of 1846, and the family made their home in Bertram Township, within five miles of Marion City. There our subject assisted his father in the labors on the farm, and supplemented the education lie received in the district school by a course of training in the Cedar Rapids schools and Cornell College at Mt. Vernon. He entered " the college referred to in the winter of 1859-60, intending to take a regular course, but in the spring of 1 860 he became infected with the Pike's Peak gold fever, and, in company with another young man, started overland across the plains. They abandoned the trip before reaching the so-called gold regions and returned to this county.

On the breaking out of the late Civil War, our subject enlisted at Cedar Rapids, in the first call for troops for three months' service. The date of his enlistment was May 5, 1, sill, and he then became a private in-Co. K, ist Iowa Vol. Inf. His regiment was in active service from the very first, and at the battle of Wilsou Creek, on the loth day of August, 1861, our subject was wounded by a gun-shot in the right leg. The above accident happened just three or four days prior to his term of enlistment having expired, and our subject proceeded home without delay. His wound proved of a serious nature, resulting in the amputation of his right leg near the body.

Soon after Mr. Daniels had recovered from the loss of his limb and was able to be about, he was appointed Station Agent for the C. & N. W. R. R. at Bertram, and was also commissioned Postmaster by Mr. Lincoln in 1862. He continued at Bertram as Agent and Postmaster until Jan. 1, 1865, when he came to Marion to accept the position of Deputy Recorder of Linn County, under his brother, J. J. Daniels. He continued to hold the position under his brother for about eight years, and also under his successor, Mr. C. E. Putnam, until 1876, when our subject was elected Auditor. This latter position Mr. Daniels held for three terms (six years), when lie retired and was appointed Justice of the Peace to fill a vacancy. He has been twice elected to the same position, and is the present incumbent of that office. While serving as Deputy Recorder Mr. Daniels was appointed Deputy United States Revenue Collector for Linn County, and held that position for three years.

Samuel Daniels was married at Marion, Nov. 27, 1872, to Miss Mary E. Hayzlett, daughter of Captain John G. and Eleanor (Hattfield) Hayzlett. She was born in Hancock County, Ind., and came to this county with her parents in 1N54. Her father was ex-Sheriff of this county and one of its most prominent citizens, lie now resides at Kenesaw, Neb. The union of our subject with Miss

Hayzlett has been productive of three children, of whom two are yet living — Charles E. was born at Marion, Jan. 19, 1875; Samuel was born Nov. 25, 1878, and died in infancy; Dollie, only daughter, was born July 29, 1880. Mrs. Daniels is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics our subject is a Republican, and one of that class who never scratches a ticket; having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln and for every Republican nominee for President since that time. Socially he is a member of the Legion of Honor of Iowa; of the A. O. U. W. and Robert Mitchell Post No. 106, G. A. R. Mr. Daniels has talent for invention, and has in his possession some models of curious and useful things which he has invented, among which may be mentioned one for a system of projecting ladders for use at fires, that is very simple and complete in its workings. Mr. Daniels is a genial gentleman and a practical business man, whose counsel and advice are often sought and valued.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

LAWSON DANIELS. Among the names of the early settlers of Cedar Rapids, familiar to the people of that city both in business and social circles, we find that of the subject of this sketch. Lawson Daniels, Vice President of the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank, is a native of North Brookfield, Mass., where he was born Oct. 4, 1827, and is an offspring of Otis and Jerusha (Day) Daniels, natives of Massachusetts also. The father of our subject was engaged in tilling the soil, and followed that calling in his native State until his demise. His good wife also died in that State. They had a family of nine children, only two of whom are living at the present time: Preston and Lawson. The former is a retired merchant, living in Marion, this State.

Our subject remained at the old home until he had attained the age of fourteen years, when he went to Springfield, Mass., and attended school for two years. He then accepted a position as clerk in the book-store and publishing house of, (. Merriam, and after two more years spent in their employ, returned to North Brookfield and acted as clerk in a general store, where he remained until 1848. At this time his three surviving brothers and only surviving sister being in Iowa, he decided to make that place his future home, and in the fall of the same year, came West and settled at Cedar Rapids, where he has since resided. On arriving here he engaged in the mercantile business with hi> brother Lowell, and continued the same until 1880.

In 1883, in company with others, he organized and established the Cedar Rapids Savings Hank. He became one of the heaviest stockholders, and has aeteil as Vice President since its organization. Mr. Daniels has invested heavily in city property with a view to improve and help build up the city. He is a stockholder and Secretary of the Oak Hill Cemetery Company.

Mr. Daniels was united in marriage with Mrs. IlarrietteS. Daniels, a native of Vermont ami a daughter of John and Cynthia (Ashly) Weare, natives of the same State. Their residence is at No. 179 First avenue. Mr. Daniels held the office of Postmaster of Cedar Rapids from the year 1850 to ls.">4. He is a stockholder in the Water-Works, and on the building of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Hailroad from Clinton to Cedar Rapids, he and his brother took stock to assist in carrying out the works. He was Secretary of the Cedar Rapids Bridge Company, and also of the Cedar Rapids Transportation Company, during their existence. He purchased and still owns a large amount of land in several counties of Iowa.

Politically our subject is a Republican, and religiously he and his wife arc members of the First Presbyterian Church. His life, thus far, has been one long, financial success, and while fortune favors him, he is not unmindful of the prosperity and happiness of others. No meritorious scheme was ever advanced for the improvement of the town of his adoption, but Mr. Daniels was found ready to place his shoulder to the wheel and help the enterprise along to the best of his ability, lie is truly one of the leading men of Cedar Rapids.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.