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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
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HISTORY OF
LEE COUNTY IOWA
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2008 with funding from Microsoft Corporation
http://www.archive.org/details/storyofleecounty02robe
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BIOGRAPHICAL
GEORGE DEXTER RAND.
The record of George Dexter Rand, now deceased, is one which reflected credit and honor upon the commercial history of Keokuk. He figured prominently in business circles as a lumberman and also in connection with financial affairs, and he was equally well known as a factor in public life, cooperating in all of those activities which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He was born in Quincy, Illinois, February 9, 1838, and was sixty-five years of age when death called him.
His father, Hon. Elbridge D. Rand, was a distinguished citizen of Burlington, Iowa, who owned and occupied a beautiful residence, known as The Pines. He ranked with the leading business men of the state and to that position attained by reason of ability, close application and determined effort. He was born in Watertown, Mas- sachusetts, July 22, 1814, the eldest son of Samuel and Mary (Carter) Rand. The father died during the infancy of his son Elbridge, who from early youth was dependent upon his own resources. He was still a young lad when he went to Providence, Rhode Island, where he served an apprenticeship at the candle and soap manufacturing business. On attaining his majority in 1835 he removed westward to Hamilton, Ohio, where his ability secured for him the position of superintendent of the J. U. Fisher packing house. Two years later he removed to Lacon, Illinois, but in the same year went to Quincy, that state. In 1839 he arrived in Iowa and from that time forward until his demise was closely associated with the business development and substantial upbuilding of the state. He located on the Des Moines river, on what was known as the Black Hawk purchase, near Keosauqua, and after remaining there for a brief period traveled by wagon to Burlington. On reaching that place his horses gave out and he perforce must remain for a time. Therefore, he sought employment and, believing that the city offered good business oppor- tunities, he at length made arrangements for embarking in business on his own account by borrowing money and erecting a small pack-
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
ing house. The energy which he displayed in the conduct of his business and his sound judgment brought to him almost immediate success and a little later he purchased a sawmill. This was the begin- ning of the extensive and important lumber business with which he was long associated. In 1842 he became actively connected with the lumber trade and afterward established the Burlington Lumber Com- pany. In 1852 he formed a partnership with Messrs. Carson and Eaton for the conduct of a lumber business, with mills located in Wisconsin, and their trade grew to mammoth proportions. Mr. Rand was wide-awake, alert and enterprising and readily recognized and utilized opportunities. The careful conduct of his business led to its continuous growth and he became a foremost factor in connection with the lumber trade of the upper Mississippi. At length he organ- ized the Valley Lumber Company, a part of which corporation was the Carson & Rand Lumber Company of Keokuk. Moreover, he became a prominent figure in financial circles, owning stock in a number of banks.
Elbridge D. Rand was twice married. In April, 1837, he wedded Sarah A. Proud, of Centerville, Ohio, and unto them were born six children, all of whom are now deceased. This number included George Dexter Rand, who for an extended period was a leading lum- berman and financier of Keokuk. On the 13th of June, 1852, he wedded Mrs. Caroline A. Roberts and they became the parents of four children, only one of whom is now living, Horace S. Rand, a capitalist residing in Burlington. Elbridge D. Rand passed away on the roth of April, 1889, having, therefore, reached the age of almost seventy-five years. His political endorsement was given to the whig part in early life and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new republican party, which he continued to support through- out his remaining days. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and recognizing his loyalty to the best interests of the com- monwealth, elected him to represent his district in the state legisla- ture in 1856-7 and from 1860 until 1863 inclusive he was a member of the Burlington city council, at all times exercising his official pre- rogatives in support of the general good and ever placing public welfare befare partisanship or personal aggrandizement.
George D. Rand supplemented a course of study in the public schools by attendance at Asbury University in Greencastle, Indiana. from which in due time he was graduated. He entered upon his business career in Colorado, but during the Civil war all business and personal interests were put aside that he might aid his country. He was appointed paymaster in the volunteer navy-a position of high
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
honor and trust, in which he served until June 30, 1864. He was then made assistant paymaster in the regular navy, his commission being signed by Abraham Lincoln and Gideon Wells, the latter then secretary of the navy.
After the war Mr. Rand engaged in business for a time in Ala- bama and the year 1880 witnessed his arrival in Keokuk, where he became an active member of the Carson & Rand Lumber Company, managing the local branch of their business until the withdrawal of the corporation from Keokuk. He had become acquainted with the lumber trade under the direction of his father, and in control of the Keokuk interests Mr. Rand displayed marked ability and undaunted enterprise, formulating his plans carefully and carrying them for- ward to successful completion. Into other fields of labor he also extended his efforts and became a leading figure in financial circles as vice president of the State Central Savings Bank and as director of the Keokuk National Bank and of the Iowa State Insurance Company.
Mr. Rand was united in marriage to Miss Sara McGaughey, a daughter of Edward W. and. Margaret (Matlock) McGaughey, the former a distinguished lawyer of Putnam county, Indiana, who was also a member of the state legislature and a member of the twenty- ninth and thirty-first congresses. He was thus actively identified with the law-making bodies of his state and nation. Mr. and Mrs. Rand had one daughter, Mary, now deceased, and the father passed away November 12, 1903, his remains being interred at Greencastle, Indiana. Sometime before his death he became a member of the Roman Catholic church and Mrs. Rand is still a communicant of St. Peter's Catholic church.
In his political views Mr. Rand was a republican, with an earnest belief in the principles of the party, and at one time he served as city treasurer of Keokuk. In 1883 he was chosen mayor of the city and made an excellent record in that office but declined to serve for a second term. It was during his incumbency in that position that Rand Park was completed and named in his honor. He belonged to the Loyal Legion and he was ever as true and loyal to his country and its best interests as when in the service of the government he aided in promoting the Union cause. His contemporaries and colleagues knew him as an able business man, as a progressive and public-spir- ited citizen and as a true and loyal friend. At his death the Keokuk Gate City said :
"Mr. Rand was a large-minded, generous-hearted, public-spirited citizen. In every relation in life-as a man, husband, neighbor,
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
friend and fellow townsmen-he was above reproach and commanded the highest respect. In his dealings with his fellows in the commer- cial world he was ever high-minded and honorable and enjoyed, as he deserved, the confidence of everybody. In public life-he was mayor of Keokuk in 1883-he made a record for himself that is greatly to his credit. During his entire residence in Keokuk Mr. Rand took active interest in everything of a public nature and exerted himself earnestly and efficiently for the common good. He was especially interested in communal affairs and gave unsparingly of time and effort to advance the moral and material welfare of the city. His ambition was to bring Keokuk, already a good city, still nearer to the plane of his own ideals. To Rand Park, named in his honor, he gave much valuable thought and time. Ever since its establish- ment he has served as one of the three commissioners to whom its gen- eral supervision has been entrusted and the city is greatly indebted to him, with others, for making it what it is. Mr. Rand also advanced liberally of his private means for the upbuilding of Keokuk in secur- ing the location of new industries here. In addition to all this he made numerous semi-public and private benefactions. He was a generous contributor to the cause of religion and education and was never called upon in vain in the interest of charity. It is an open secret that St. Peter's school building was largely made possible through his liberality. There are scores of people in Keokuk who, if permitted to testify, would gladly tell of aid extended to them in time of trouble and need. If still living Mr. Rand would seriously object even to so much as this indefinite allusion to his benefactions, but now that he is gone from us it is not improper that the loss entailed by his death should receive at least the recognition here given it. His was a lovable character and the keynote of it, as all who know him will agree, was to live aright and to endeavor to make right living as logical and natural to others as to himself. In pursuance of this ain he used his means with great good judgment and gratifying results."
WILLIAM AUGUSTUS BROWNELL.
William Augustus Brownell was for years identified with the banking interests of Keokuk and was one of the prominent men of the city. He was a native of the state of New York, his birth occur- ring at Penyan, July 24, 1836. When about thirteen years of age he was brought to Lee county by hi parents, William and Clarissa
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
(Brooks) Brownell, and here the father followed contracting until his death. He was a man of estimable character and good business ability and held the respect and warm regard of all those with whom he came in contact.
William Augustus Brownell acquired his education in the public schools of this city and then turned his attention to the study of teleg- raphy. He later, however, learned the tinner's trade in a local hard- ware store, after which he removed to Muscatine and there con- ducted a stove establishment until 1865. At that time he moved his business to Keokuk, where he met with gratifying success. In 1872 he first became interested in banking, in which field he continued during the remainder of his life. For almost three decades he was vice president of the Keokuk National Bank and it was due in no small degree to his splendid business judgment and his ability to make and retain friends that the bank attained such notable success. He gave his personal attention to many details which some might have thought beneath their notice, but he realized that slackness in small things often leads to carelessness in greater affairs. Not only was he in close touch with the details of procedure within the bank itself, but he was a close student of the general tendencies in the com- mercial and financial world. He used his knowledge of general conditions in making the Keokuk National Bank one of the most progressive banks in the city, serving the inhabitants of Keokuk in the many ways possible for an up-to-date bank to render service. His death occurred on the 20th of February, 1901.
On the 13th of February, 1861, Mr. Brownell was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary J. R. Higbie, a daughter of Silas and Hester A. (Ross) Higbie, at Penfield, New York. To their union the follow- ing children were born: William Winthrop, who was born Novem- ber 6, 1861, at Muscatine, and died September 2, 1862; Clara Belle, whose birth occurred June 18, 1865, at Muscatine and who passed away in Keokuk, May 18, 1870; Ralph Brooks, who was born July 15. 1868, and died at Hailey, Idaho, from accidental poisoning on the 20th of February, 1903; Edwin Higbie, who was born April 8, 1872, and is now a resident of Beverly, Washington; Emma Frances, born March 4, 1874, who died at San Diego, California, April 2, 1875; Francis Raymond, born January 30, 1877, living in Hailey, Idaho; and Marion Harold, born June 3, 1884, also a resident of Hailey, Idaho.
Mr. Brownell was a member of the Congregational church and was a generous contributor to the various branches of church work. He was a republican in politics and was for years chairman of the
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
local republican committee. He was intensely interested in all public affairs of importance and took part in many movements for the wel- fare of his city and county. His advice was often sought upon ques- tions of public policy. He attained high rank in the Masonic order, being a Knight Templar, and was well known in that fraternity. His death was mourned not only by his personal friends, but by all with whom he had come in contact in the course of his business or through public service. He was a man of high principles and cast himself heart and soul into any movement which he believed to be for the general welfare. He held the respect and esteem of his fellowmen and in his death Lee county lost a valuable business man and an exemplary citizen. His widow survives and is one of the most highly regarded matrons of Keokuk. She is much interested in social affairs and is a leader of the Daughters of the American Revolution, being past regent of that organization. She manifests the patriotic spirit of her Revolutionary ancestors in many ways, being ever ready to assist the forces of civic progress and righteousness. Her beautiful home is often thrown open to her many friends and none speak of her save in terms of greatest esteem.
HON. WILLIAM GUSTAVUS KENT.
Hon. William Gustavus Kent, farmer, educator and legislator, left the impress of his individuality for good upon the history of the state in various connections. Ever honorable and upright, he commanded the respect of those with whom he came in contact and his ability, too, was of a character that made him a leader in public thought and action.
A native of Pennsylvania, he was born at Bellefonte, Center county, on the 10th of August, 1837. His father, Josiah Kent, also a native of Pennsylvania, was a farmer and mechanic, and in early manhood he wedded Anna M. Rothrock, who was likewise born in the Keystone state. The year 1842 witnessed their emigration west- ward to Iowa, at which time they took up their abode in Fort Madi- son. Josiah Kent was one of the early horticulturists of the state, being among the first to take up the work of fruit cultivation and demonstrating by his success what might be accomplished along that line. He, too, took an active part in shaping the history of the state during its formative period, was a member of the second constitu- tional convention and also represented his district in the first general assembly which held an extra session at Iowa City in 1846.
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
William G. Kent was a little lad of but five summers when he came to Iowa with his parents, so that he was practically a lifelong resident of the state and with its development and progress along many lines he was closely associated. He earned his first money by working as a farm hand at twenty-five cents per day and much of life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. In his youth he pursued his education in one of the old-time log schoolhouses common in Iowa in pioneer times. When eighteen years of age he took up the pro- fession of teaching, which he followed continuously for eight years, and during a part of that period he was principal of the school at Fifth and Pine streets in Fort Madison. He utilized every oppor- tunity for advancing his own education and spent three terms of fourteen weeks each as a student in the Denmark Academy at Den- mark, Iowa. The ability which he displayed in educational fields led to his selection for the office of county superintendent of schools of Lee county and he remained in that position for two terms of two years each. His party would have again made him its nomince for the office had he not declined to become a candidate. His inter- est in the cause of education never ceased throughout his entire life and for more than a quarter of a century he was a member of the board of school directors in his home district. He stood at all times for progress and advancement along the lines of practical educa- tion, but did not believe in wasting time upon features of instruc- tion which would have little influence upon the later life of the student. In addition to the important educational and agricultural interests which at times claimed his attention and energy Mr. Kent also figured in financial circles, being one of the organizers of the Lee County Savings Bank, which was formed in 1888. He was elected a director and vice president and remained in that connec- tion with the bank for many years, his counsel proving a valued ele- ment in shaping its policy.
In December, 1863, Mr. Kent was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Shephard, of Lee county, a representative of one of the most prominent pioneer families of this section of the state. Her parents were George and Phebe (Hodgson) Shephard. The latter, a native of Yorkshire, England, was brought to the United States by her parents when twelve years of age and on the 14th of Febru- ary, 1826, in Indiana, she became the wife of George Shephard, who was also a native of England. In 1836 they removed westward, settling in Lee county, Iowa, when this state was still a part of the territory of Wisconsin. Mr. Shephard was a miller by trade, but after coming to this state turned his attention to agricultural pur-
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
suits, in which he continued active to the time of his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Shephard were born seven children who reached adult age, while three passed away in early life.
Throughout the entire period of their married life Mr. and Mrs. Kent resided in Lee county, and here he passed away on the 20th of February, 1905, when in the sixty-eighth year of his age. His life had been one of intense activity and usefulness. He exemplified in his career the beneficent spirit of the Masonic fraternity and was a prominent member of Delta Commandery, No. 51, K. T., of Fort Madison.
When age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Kent announced himself a supporter of the democratic party and never faltered in his allegiance thereto as the years went on. At various times he filled public positions, the duties of which he ever dis- charged with promptness and fidelity. In 1885 popular suffrage made him a member of the house of representatives of the twenty- first general assembly of lowa, in which position he served until 1886, when he resigned to accept the democratic nomination for state senator to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of the late Judge J. M. Casey. Endorsement of his first term service as senator came in the fall of 1889, when he was re-elected for a full term. He represented his district in the upper house of the state legislature during the twenty-second, twenty-third and twenty-fourth general assemblies, gave careful consideration to cach question which came up for settlement and was connected with much important construct- ive legislation. He championed many measures which found their way to the statute books of the state and he was also a capable mem- ber of various important committees. In 1892 he suffered defeat with the entire democratic ticket when a candidate for railroad commissioner. However, other important public honors came to him. In 1894 Governor Jackson appointed him a member of the commission to plan, locate and erect a hospital for the insane in northwestern Iowa and following the death of General Ed. Wright he was made secretary of the commission, whose labors resulted in the erection of a splendid state hospital at Cherokee. Through ap- pointment of Governors Larrabee, Boies and Jackson, Mr. Kent served as a delegate to the national farmers congress, the commercial convention at Kansas City and the trans-Mississippi convention at St. Louis.
His ideals of public service were high and he bent every energy toward their fulfillment. A contemporary writer said of him: "He was a man of deep thought and conservative action, who made every
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
move count." There are few men who have held so prominent a place in public regard as did William Gustavus Kent, the warm esteem of his fellow townsmen being given him regardless of party or creed. He never deviated from what his judgment sanctioned to be right between himself and his fellowmen, and his position upon any important question was never an equivocal one. He stood firmly for what he believed to be for the best interest of county and state and his labors were far-reaching and beneficial in effect.
REV. FATHER WILLIAM JACOBY.
Rev. Father William Jacoby, pastor of the Catholic church of the Assumption at West Point since 1877, was born at Ettelbruck, in the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, and celebrated the seventy-ninth anniversary of his birth on the 14th of June, 1914. His parents were Peter and Catherina (Berg) Jacoby, the former a successful shoe merchant.
Their son William had little financial assistance as a young man and helped pay his way through college by instructing younger stu- dents. He was for seven years librarian of the Luxemburg public library, containing over one hundred thousand volumes. He com pleted his classical and philosophical studies in Luxemburg and came to this country unaccompanied by relatives or friends. Here he entered a theological seminary at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he spent two years as a student, and was then ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Hennesy, of Dubuque, Iowa. His first appointment was Lansing, Iowa, and missions, where he worked nine years, building two churches, schools, etc. He also answered sick calls in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. He came to West Point in 1877 and the result of his thirty-seven years' pastorate is truly remarkable. The parish now includes over two hundred families, the church was remodeled and redecorated in 1903-1904 at an expense of twenty-four thousand dollars. A school had been established in early years, taught by the Sisters of St. Francis. The work of the church in all of its departments is carefully planned and its influence is strongly felt among the Catholic population of this section of the country.
When Father Jacoby's pastorate began there were only one hun- dred and thirty-six families on the parish rolls. The history of the church as given in the West Point Bee is as follows: "The beautiful location of West Point on the southern border of Pleasant Ridge
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
attracted Catholic settlers in the early days. They were visited the first time by a Catholic priest in the spring of 1838, when Rev. August Brickwedde came here from Quincy, Illinois, and from that time until 1841 attended West Point as one of his out-missions, generally making one visit in the year, during the Easter season. In 1839 he made this visit at West Point on April 17, and on that day baptized Mary E. Groner, Gerard H. Hellman, Mary E. Rump and Barbara Ritt. During these days the double log house of Joseph Strothman was generally used as chapel. Until 1851 the priests used to make their home with this family and his son, Casper Strothman, and with Dr. Daniel Lowrey, who arrived in 1845. In 1840 Rev. J. G. Alle- man took charge of West Point as an out-mission and attended it till 1851. During 1844 and 1845 he spent much of his time here, teaching a school for a while and making his other parochial visits from this place. In 1842 Father Alleman built the first church, a frame structure, about twenty-one by forty fect in size, with fourteen feet posts. At this time also a clear-toned church bell was procured and placed on trestles near the front door. This bell was a gift from Bishop Loras, and is the same bell which now marks time in the paro- chial schools. The site of the old church was near the west end of the present building, fronting north. West Point continued to be attended by the Fort Madison pastors until the close of June, 1855. when Rev. B. Wolterman was appointed resident pastor, and he continued until February, 1856. He opened the oldest baptismal register now existing in St. Mary's church. The original name of this congregation was St. Philip's church. About the year 1853 the West Pointers sent to the old fatherland in Hanover and secured a teacher for their parochial school in the person of Henry Krebs, a well educated, thoroughly Catholic young man, and an excellent teacher. In 1858 several families emigrating to Minnesota induced him to accompany them-to teach their schools. There remains in his handwriting, at this time, a beautifully written and complete census of the West Point parish in 1854. During March, April and May, 1856, Father Hattenberger visited here. In June Father Michel came, and then, until January, 1857, Father Hattenberger continued. In the summer of 1857 Father J. G. Reffe made visits here, and from October, 1857, until April, 1858, Rev. Eusebius Kaiser was the resi- dent pastor, but his infirmity and advanced age induced him to re- sign. Rev. A. Hattenberger again attended until December, 1858, when Rev. J. G. Reffe arrived as the resident pastor. He improved and extended the frame cottage which had been previously pur- chased for a parsonage. Then he began the erection of the new
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