Born in Bern, Switzerland, May 20, 1845. When he was 4 years old has father came to America and went first to Cleveland Ohio. He was a stone mason by trade. From Cleveland he went to Newton Falls Ohio were he engaged in quarrying and bridge contracting, and in 1856 when the son of whom we write was 11 years old and arrived in Iowa City to take charge of the stone work at the Capitol quarry ten miles up the river. Elmer assisted his father in quarrying and in bridge building and for a time on the farm. Long before he attained his majority he did a man's work; about the only compensation he received was the privilege of attending school during the winter season, but he learned while he worked and in 1862 when but 17 years of age, he did some contracting on his own account. In 1884 he opened up the Cedar Valley quarry. He has been an officer and director of not a few local enterprises. For a long time he was the leading spirit of the Cedar Rapids Canning company. Mr. Bealer was married to Mrs. Mary C. Erb, October 26, 1867. Three children were born to this union. From the time he reached his majority he was an interested, active, effective citizen of the United States. He was a Patriot by nature, his service in the Civil war made it a passion with him, He never missed an election. He never failed to make his influence felt before the election was held, and he rendered public service of the highest order For three sessions of the general assembly he represented Linn county in the legislature. He was chairman of an important committee on railroads and there stands to his credit a bill known as House File No. 155 which passed both house and senate without a dissenting vote, which bill provided for the erection of monuments and tablets in the Vicksburg National Military park to mark the positions occupied by Iowa brigades, regiments and batteries, and to commemorate the valor and services of Iowa soldiers in the campaign and siege of Vicksburg.

Born in Bern, Switzerland, May 20, 1845. When he was 4 years old has father came to America and went first to Cleveland Ohio. He was a stone mason by trade. From Cleveland he went to Newton Falls Ohio were he engaged in quarrying and bridge contracting, and in 1856 when the son of whom we write was 11 years old and arrived in Iowa City to take charge of the stone work at the Capitol quarry ten miles up the river. Elmer assisted his father in quarrying and in bridge building and for a time on the farm. Long before he attained his majority he did a man's work; about the only compensation he received was the privilege of attending school during the winter season, but he learned while he worked and in 1862 when but 17 years of age, he did some contracting on his own account. In 1884 he opened up the Cedar Valley quarry. He has been an officer and director of not a few local enterprises. For a long time he was the leading spirit of the Cedar Rapids Canning company. Mr. Bealer was married to Mrs. Mary C. Erb, October 26, 1867. Three children were born to this union. From the time he reached his majority he was an interested, active, effective citizen of the United States. He was a Patriot by nature, his service in the Civil war made it a passion with him, He never missed an election. He never failed to make his influence felt before the election was held, and he rendered public service of the highest order For three sessions of the general assembly he represented Linn county in the legislature. He was chairman of an important committee on railroads and there stands to his credit a bill known as House File No. 155 which passed both house and senate without a dissenting vote, which bill provided for the erection of monuments and tablets in the Vicksburg National Military park to mark the positions occupied by Iowa brigades, regiments and batteries, and to commemorate the valor and services of Iowa soldiers in the campaign and siege of Vicksburg.

Born in Bern, Switzerland, May 20, 1845. When he was 4 years old has father came to America and went first to Cleveland Ohio. He was a stone mason by trade. From Cleveland he went to Newton Falls Ohio were he engaged in quarrying and bridge contracting, and in 1856 when the son of whom we write was 11 years old and arrived in Iowa City to take charge of the stone work at the Capitol quarry ten miles up the river. Elmer assisted his father in quarrying and in bridge building and for a time on the farm. Long before he attained his majority he did a man's work; about the only compensation he received was the privilege of attending school during the winter season, but he learned while he worked and in 1862 when but 17 years of age, he did some contracting on his own account. In 1884 he opened up the Cedar Valley quarry. He has been an officer and director of not a few local enterprises. For a long time he was the leading spirit of the Cedar Rapids Canning company. Mr. Bealer was married to Mrs. Mary C. Erb, October 26, 1867. Three children were born to this union. From the time he reached his majority he was an interested, active, effective citizen of the United States. He was a Patriot by nature, his service in the Civil war made it a passion with him, He never missed an election. He never failed to make his influence felt before the election was held, and he rendered public service of the highest order For three sessions of the general assembly he represented Linn county in the legislature. He was chairman of an important committee on railroads and there stands to his credit a bill known as House File No. 155 which passed both house and senate without a dissenting vote, which bill provided for the erection of monuments and tablets in the Vicksburg National Military park to mark the positions occupied by Iowa brigades, regiments and batteries, and to commemorate the valor and services of Iowa soldiers in the campaign and siege of Vicksburg.