The members of the Legare, Bryan, McIntosh, Durham, Oxley, Belt, Mitchell, and other southern families who located in Linn county did much in changing the manners of this somewhat cosmopolitan community. These families pursued education. The members had traveled much. They were descended from some of the most cultured families in this country. They were social, interesting, and entertained much, and it is needless to add that the citizens of the county were not slow in receiving the southern settlers into their homes. The presence of such an influence in the formative period of the county's history wielded an influence which has not been entirely effaced after a period of half a century.
Some time later came the Hart brothers, Jacob A. and Caspar J., and for years the influence of these sturdy men was a power for good in the city and the county. It will be many years before these splendid representatives of the southland will be forgotten. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob A. Hart was a most hospitable one. It was always open to the new settler from the south, and especially to those who came from Maryland, their old home. Their commodious brick dwelling that stood so long at the corner of Second street and Fifth avenue, was a center for long years of true and genuine hospitality. Its doors were never locked against a Marylander, and all these felt free to "come early and stay late." To many a young son of the south Mother Hart was ever the best of mothers, caring for the sick lads, satisfying their hunger with fried chicken and Maryland biscuits—oh, who that once was welcomed there will ever lose the memory of it! Mrs. Hart is yet a resident of this city, spending a ripe old age in dispensing the same well-remembered hospitality, going about doing the deeds of kindness.
Mrs. R. C. Rock, herself a pioneer of 1850, has vivid recollections of beginnings in Cedar Rapids. She knew the Bryans intimately, and also the Legares. She says they were people of culture. Mr. Stoney, the husband of Miss Bryan, was educated abroad, and came to Cedar Rapids in 1852 or 1853. These people were led to locate in the city through the influence of Judge Greene, whom they met in Washington. Mrs. Rock states that at this day it is impossible to estimate what Judge Greene meant to the young city. Through his influence people of means, culture, and learning were induced to come to the city and county. He traveled a great deal, and something good for Cedar Rapids always resulted.
J. J. Snouffer was another Marylander who came to Cedar Rapids in 1850, and for nearly a half century his was a powerful influence in the community. He was prominent in business and political affairs, and was ever a loyal citizen.
Dr. Robert Taylor, one of the prominent early physicians, came from Virginia in 1851. After remaining here a few years he removed to Philadelphia.
[CHAPTER XXXIII]
Some Township History
BERTRAM TOWNSHIP
In the history of Linn county Bertram township has played a conspicuous part, and was at various times about to be the township in which were located some of the most enterprising towns in the county. Ivanhoe, Westport, also known as Newark, and other places are well known names among the early settlers. Their locations have been wiped off the map, so to speak, on account of changed conditions. The following sketch is taken largely from manuscripts and articles written by the late John J. Daniels, one of the old citizens of Linn county, one of the early county recorders, for many years a justice of the peace, and a well known and enterprising citizen, who was always interested in the old settlers and in the development of historical research in the county in early days. Mr. Daniels says: