History of Linn County Iowa Part 70

There are only eight residents of this city at the present time whose names appear on the tax list of fifty years ago; the only ones we can remember are the following: James Bird, Isaac Carroll, E. Coulter, C.

Fordyce, Jos. Perigo, David Lighty, P. F. Randall, and Wesley Stephens.

Some of the above paid a poll tax only. David Lighty paid tax on lot 3, block 28, original town, and has paid taxes on this same lot all the years since and owns the property today. Isaac Whittam paid the taxes on lot 5, block 13, original town. This is the corner lot on which the Montrose Hotel is located. The lot was then valued at $550, and the tax was $1.10. Isaac Carroll paid the taxes on three city lots, the total value of which was $585; also on two horses, value $150; one carriage, value $75; his tax was $1.92, paid in script. E. Coulter paid on a stock of merchandise (drugs) valued at $800.

A few others who are listed on the tax books of half a century ago are known to be living, but have removed to other places.

W. W. Smith, of Minneapolis, who was an active business man at that time, owned five lots on Second street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues east, on which he built a large brick building, intending to use it as a hotel. It was, however, used as a residence property, and was known as the Wadsworth Block. This property was located where the Illinois Central railroad lately erected their fine new freight depot, corner of Fifth avenue and Second street.

S. D. Carpenter, now a resident of Chicago, paid the taxes on the south 280 feet of out lot 4, valued at $850, tax $1.90. This property is located on Third avenue, between Eighth and Tenth streets, and includes the homes of A. Sinclair, Rev. Burkhalter, Ed. Clark, and the late home of Robert Williams.

Geo. Greene was the largest individual taxpayer of that day. He was a.s.sessed with some 70 city lots. Many of them were in the business part of town, the total a.s.sessed value of these was $28,575, and the tax was $56.40.

In his list were lots 3, 4, 5, 6, block 24 original plat, property on which is now located the Allison hotel, the College Inn and the three business rooms to the west, all on First avenue. Also a lot at corner of Second avenue and Fourth street, now owned by Mr. C. Magnus; these four lots were valued at $2,200 and the tax was $4.40. He owned lots 4 and 5 block 42 a.s.sessed at $300 each. These are now the homes of Dr.

Geo. Carpenter and Mike Ford. He also paid the taxes on 125 feet on First street lots now occupied by the Rudolph block, the Gazette office, Geo. C. Haman drug store and Geo. Yuill farm implements. The total value of this 125 feet was $3,600, the taxes $7.20. At that time this property was occupied by a large three story hotel called Greene's hotel, and it is said by those who were guests of the house that it was one of the best west of Chicago. The next largest taxpayer was John F.

Ely, who was a.s.sessed on 38 building lots at an a.s.sessed value of $24,800 and on which he paid a tax of $51.16. Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, block 14, original plat, was valued at $3,500.00, tax on same $7.00. This was his home. A comfortable, unpretentious cottage occupied the center of block, surrounded by shrubbery, flowers and many apple trees. These lots are now occupied by the large business houses of Jones & Luberger, Martin Dry Goods Co., the Dows block on the corner of Second street and Second avenue, and also Snowden's, corner of Third street and Second avenue. He also was a.s.sessed with the property now belonging to the Churchill estate, corner of First street and Second avenue, value $1,150.00, tax on same $2.30. Lot 10, block 24, original plat, now occupied by the Cedar Rapids National Bank and for many years known as the old Baptist church corner, was a.s.sessed at $700.00 and the tax was $1.40.

Mr. Ely was also the owner of lots 4, 5, 8, 9, block 15, which is now the John H. Taft corner, and the store of Ludy & Taylor, all on First avenue, together with the property on which is located the "Oriel"

block and part of the next lot to the west, both on Second avenue.

These four lots now just in the most valuable part of the business district, were valued at $2,850.00, on which he paid the city tax of $5.70. The lot on the corner of Second avenue and Fifth street on which the Public Library is located, was one of his lots and is one that he continued to own up to the time it was condemned by the library board for the purpose of erecting the library building. This lot was a.s.sessed at $425.00, tax paid 85 cents. He was also the owner of lots 8, 9, 10, block 23, original plat. These are on First avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets. These three lots were a.s.sessed at $1,350.00, tax paid on same, $2.70.

The lots 1 and 2, block 4, was also included in his district. These are on the corner of First street and Second avenue. It was regarded as valuable property by the a.s.sessor of fifty years ago, as he has these two lots a.s.sessed at $3,700.00. No other two lots in the city were rated at so high a value as these. This must have been regarded as the best business location of that day.

The next Cedar Rapids tax payer who had to gather up the next largest amount of city scrip with which to pay his city tax was Mr. N. B.

Brown, who was a.s.sessed with 47 city lots the total value of which was $20,750. This with some personal property, as merchandise, horses, cows and bridge stock made his total property valuation $23,290.00 and on this amount he paid a city tax of $46.58. Mr. Brown was one of the owners of the original plat of the city and many pieces of property which are now very valuable was at that time set off to him as his share of the original town plat.

Lots 3 and 4, block 25, are two valuable pieces of property. These are on Second avenue between Third and Fourth streets and on which is located the Damour Grocery House, and some of the property on which the new government postoffice is erected. These two lots were a.s.sessed at $900.00 on which he paid a tax of $1.80. Mr. Brown also was the owner of lots 6, 7, 8, block 23. These were on the north side of First avenue and extended from Fourth street west to where the Grand hotel now is and included the Chicago & Northwestern freight depot, the Pullman House, the Delavan hotel and the property now owned by Mr. Lansing and used as a saloon. These three valuable lots were then a.s.sessed at $1,700.00 on which he paid the tax of $3.40.

Another fine piece of property was his home, which was the entire block 38. His fine brick residence was located in the center of the block and was at that day one of the finest dwellings in this part of the state.

These ten lots which were all included was valued at $3,250.00. This property has been sold and sub-divided until the only part left is the southeast corner of the block which N. E. Brown his son, now occupies with a fine modern brick dwelling, directly opposite Grace Episcopal church.

He was also the owner of the property on which Gorman's hotel is located. This hotel was built by Mr. Brown and a few years after it was considered the best hotel to be found in this part of the state. The upper story was finished for an amus.e.m.e.nt place and before the building of Greene's opera house this was the only place that could be used for that purpose.

Mr. Brown was largely engaged in milling at that time and owned and operated a woolen mill and also a flouring mill, the buildings of both are still standing but have not been in operation for some time.

Greene, Merritt & Co. were the bankers of that period and were a.s.sessed with one city lot, corner of First street and B avenue, value $700.00, together with their bank capital $20,000. Their city tax was $41.50.

The senior member of this firm was Geo. Greene, who was the largest real estate owner of that date and who has been mentioned before in this article. Mr. Merritt, the other member of the banking firm, was a brother-in-law of Mr. Greene. Messrs. Geo. Greene, Wm. Greene and Joseph Greene were brothers and together were largely instrumental in shaping the development and growth of Cedar Rapids. They had faith in its future and did not hesitate to give their money and their time to every effort made to advance, build up and beautify their home city.

Wm. Greene was a.s.sessed with some twenty city lots, the value of which was $5,625.00, which with some personal property a.s.sessed to him made his total valuation $6,360 and his tax paid in city scrip $12.72. He was the owner of the east 1/2 of out lot 6 and Mr. Merritt was the owner of the west 1/2 of the same out lot. This property was a.s.sessed at $19.00, for both Mr. Greene's and Mr. Merritt's part. This out lot is situated between Fourth and Fifth avenues and Eighth and Tenth streets and is now built up with some of the finest homes in the city.

A. C. Taylor, Luther A. Brewer, Mrs. N. Bourne, Henry S. Josselyn, Dr.

Ruml, Wm. H. Dutton, Geo. A. Mullin, John H. Taft, and many others have homes in this out lot.

Greene Brothers were a.s.sessed with eight lots, all well inside the business district, which were valued at $5,085.00; tax on same $10.17; lots 6 and 7, block 16, value $1,300.00; tax $2.60. These lots are on the corner of First avenue and Third street and are now occupied by Tony Naso on the corner for a fruit store and the balance of the lots by the "Fair Company."

Mr. Daniels was another large owner of Cedar Rapids real estate, fifty years ago. The a.s.sessor for that year had him listed with 38 city lots besides four entire out lots, together they were a.s.sessed at $17,025.00, and the tax on the entire property was $34.05, all paid in the usual city script. Some of this property lying in and near the business part has become quite valuable. Lot 2, block 5, being a lot on Second street between Third and Fourth avenue, was listed by the a.s.sessor at $500.00. This piece of property was sold to John Murray some two years ago for some $12,000.00, or thereabouts. This is now occupied by the interurban railway as their depot. Another piece a.s.sessed to the same party, lot 6, block 12, corner of Third street and Fourth avenue, the rear part of this lot is being improved this present season by the Bohemian Turners. This lot was a.s.sessed at $425. Tax on same, 85 cents. Mr. Daniels was also owner of lots 8 and 9, block 14.

These lots are on Third avenue between Second and Third street and are owned by Sam Armstrong and John S. Ely, the a.s.sessed value of the two lots was $1,250.00 and tax on lots $2.50.

Lot 10, block 42, value $375.00. This is the corner lot on which the Methodist church is located. Lot 1, block 43, value $350.00. This is the corner on which the Christian church was built.

Lawson and Lowell Daniels, under the firm name of L. Daniels & Co., were a.s.sessed with 19 city lots, value of which was $8,775.00.

Merchandise, $1,000; five horses, $375.00; three carriages $150.00. The total tax was $21.40.

Lot 5, block 2, is the lot on which the Masonic Temple is now located, and was valued at that time at $2,400.00. They used it then and for many years after as a store room and did a very large business. They sold about everything to be found in a well regulated country store, and were known for many miles around as reliable and enterprising merchants. They were also owners of lot 3, block 15. This is the lot on which the Reps Dry Goods Co. is located and was valued at $700.00. They were also owners of out lot 16, valued at $350.00. This is located between Third and Fourth avenue and Twelfth and Fourteenth streets, is now nearly all improved with fine homes, the new Westminster church is on this block, corner of Fourteenth street and Third avenue.

Harvey Higley and his brother, Henry Higley, under the firm name of Higley & Co., were large owners of city real estate, the larger part of which was in the district now given up to business. They were owners of the lot on which the Granby Block now stands, which at that time was only valued at $700.00. They were also a.s.sessed with the property on which the Denecke Dry Goods store is now located. This was a.s.sessed at a value of $80.00. On this lot was a large livery stable of which the Higleys were the owners, and which they conducted for many years after.

They were also the owners of the lot, corner of First avenue and Second street, now occupied by Oscar Solomon, and ten years after erected the store building now standing thereon. This piece of property was valued at that time at $725.00. They were also a.s.sessed with lot 3, block 2, at a valuation of $1,700.00. This is on First street and is now occupied by Kubias & Son, as a harness store.

Sampson C. Bever was a.s.sessed with real estate to the value of $9,480.00, and personal property $515.00. On this a.s.sessment he paid a tax of $19.99. The most valuable piece of property held by himself that time was the homestead which was located on First avenue and between Fourth and Fifth streets. These five lots were a.s.sessed at $2,325.00; the house, which was a large brick structure, stood about where the old B., C. R. & N. Railway erected their general offices a few years since.

The Milwaukee railway depot is also located on one of the lots of the Bever home property.

Mr. Bever was also a.s.sessed with lot 1, block 3, original town, at a valuation of $1,875.00. This is the lot on which the banking house of the Commercial Savings Bank is located and is a property which the Bever family have paid taxes on for over a half century. A large part of Mr. Bever's property was in lands lying outside of the city limits and which the writer of this article is not able to correctly describe.

Mr. Bever located in Cedar Rapids in April, 1852, and for a number of years was engaged as a merchant, after which he became interested in banking and was the head of the private banking house of S. C. Bever & Sons. This bank afterwards became the City National Bank and was the first national bank to be established in Cedar Rapids.

H. G. Angle & Co. paid on a valuation of $4,700.00 real, $3,000.00 personal. They were largely interested in milling and also conducted a large store. The building in which they operated is still standing on the corner of A avenue and First street and is now occupied as a saloon. The company was a.s.sessed with twelve city lots.

A. M. Mekeel was a.s.sessed with personal property only, value $6,000 and paid into the city treasury the sum of $12.00. He paid the largest tax on money of any one in Cedar Rapids except the bankers on their bank capital.

Geo. Ohler, lot 8, block 11, value $375.00. He paid a tax of 29 cents.

This was his home and was located on Sixth avenue and here he and Mrs.

Ohler resided for over fifty years. Mr. Ohler died about four years ago and Mrs. Ohler more recently. The only member of the family remaining is Mr. Frank Ohler.

S. Nyere paid on merchandise value of $100.00. Mr. Nyere was a tailor and continued in that business for many years after. He was the father of Geo. Nyere, late candidate for mayor, also of John and Louis Nyere, plumbers, all successful and pus.h.i.+ng business men.

Philip Otterbein, one city lot valued at $250.00, tax paid, 50 cents.

Henry Otterbein of the west side is a son of Mr. Otterbein.

S. L. Pollock was the owner of a number of city lots, the value of which was $2,340, and on which he paid a tax of $4.58. He owned lot 8.

block 2, on which is located Greene's opera house, and valued at that time at $700.00. He also owned a lot on First street about opposite the auditorium valued at $375.00, and also a part of the land on which the auditorium now stands.

Wm. Pa.s.smore was a.s.sessed with one business lot on First street about the middle of the block on the east side between First and Second avenues, and which was valued at $600.00. This with $535.00 of personal property, made his city tax $2.27.

G. A. Reichenecker was a.s.sessed with lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, block 48, which were valued at $1,575 on which he paid a tax of $3.15. These five city lots are located on Second avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets, and on which are located the homes of the late Isaac Shaver and U. B. Sanders and Mrs. Lawson Daniels.

Mr. Sanford, a non-resident, was a.s.sessed with out lot 5 at a value of $1,700.00. This out lot is situated between Eighth and Tenth streets, Third and Fourth avenues, and contains the homes of J. S. Frick, David Blakely, Mrs. G. Carpenter, E. E. Pinney, all on Third avenue, and L.

Benedict, E. J. Carey, Mrs. L. Wallace, J. C. Pickering, R. M.

Garrison, David Lighty and Jas. W. Wiley, all on Fourth avenue. This property at that time contained nothing but native timber and a luxurious crop of sand burrs.

John Weare was the owner of out lot 2 and which was valued at $1,700.

This property is on First avenue and between Eighth and Tenth streets, and on which is now located the homes of Col. Clark, John M. Redmond, E. E. Rothrock, Jno, B. Henderson, Henry Soutter, Chas. J. Fox, Wm. J.

Greene, and a number of others. Mr. Weare paid taxes on several other lots and also some personal property.

Geo. Parr paid the tax on lot 2, block 21, value $300.00. This was his home lot and on which he had a good brick house. This was on C avenue and has now been entirely taken up by the Quaker Oats mill plant.

C. B. Rowley was the owner of several pieces of city property. Lots 1 and 2, block 31, which was valued at $875.00, was owned by him. The Perfection Manufacturing Company is located on lot 1. He was also the owner of lots 1 and 2, block 47, corner of Third avenue and Sixth street. The Sisters of Mercy now own lot 1 and Jos. F. Kouba resides on and owns lot 2, these two last lots were valued at $575.00. Mr. Rowley was engaged in buying grain and other farm produce. The warehouse was located on ground now occupied by the Quaker Oats plant. He was for a number of years a member of the school board of this city.

S. A. Shattuck was a.s.sessed with lots 4 and 5, block 29, which were valued at $650.00. On these two lots he paid a tax of $1.30. Mr.

Shattuck built his home on lot 5 over fifty years ago and here he and his wife lived until his death. Mr. Shattuck was one of the pioneer business men of Cedar Rapids. He came here in 1852, and was active in a business way until a very recent date. He was a partner of Geo. Dewey under the firm name of Shattuck & Dewey, and together they had a store on First street. Mr. Shattuck built the three store brick building now standing on First avenue between the alley and Second street and then known as the Franklin block. Frank Kilborn owns one of the store rooms today.

Wm. Stewart became a taxpayer in Cedar Rapids at a very early day. He came here in 1847. Fifty years ago he was the owner of lot 9, block 16, valued at $700.00. This is on First avenue between Second and Third streets, and is now occupied by Russell Confection store. He was also owner of part of the property on which the Y. M. C. A. building is now located. Mr. Stewart was a blacksmith, plowmaker, and had a shop on A avenue. Ex-Alderman Jas. Hughes is now engaged in nearly the same business and in the same building that Mr. Stewart built and occupied fifty years ago.