Lawson Daniels

As printed in 1887

AWSON 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 jj 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 hinative 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 Portrait and biographical album of Linn County, Iowa (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.