USA > Iowa > Clayton County > History of Clayton County, Iowa : from the earliest historical times down to the present : including a genealogical and biographical record of many representative families, prepared from data obtained from original sources of information, Volume I > Part 33
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
The death roll of 1881 contains the following names:
Digitized by Googto
266
MEMOIRS OF CLAYTON COUNTY
Rev. Henry Glifford died on June 26. He was one of the pioneer preachers of the county. He was born in Vermont in 1809 and came to Clayton county in 1843, removing to Reed township in 1867. Six of the early settlers of the county acted as his pallbearers and Hon. Samuel Murdock pronounced the eulogy.
Mr. John M. Eberhardt died by his own hand, in October, 1881, despondency caused by extreme age and infirmity being the cause. He was one of the first settlers in the vicinity of Littleport. He was born in Bavaria in 1798, and passed nearly all of his manhood days in this country.
Joachim Balka of Reed township died November 8, 1881. He was born in Mecklenberg, in 1834, and settled at Clayton Center in 1856.
Henry L. Schuette of Garnavillo died December 16, 1881. He was born in Hanover, 1832, and located in Garnavillo in 1850. He was a prominent lodge man and his funeral was in charge of the Masonic order.
Dr. H. H. Hamilton died at McGregor March 17, 1882. He came to Garnavillo in 1852 and later became a resident of McGregor. He was in the legislature from this county in 1868 and, in 1877, was strongly urged by his republican friends as a candidate for lieutenant governor. He was eminently successful as a physician and was highly respected as a citizen.
James F. Campbell died March 20, 1882, at Volga City. He set- tled in Sperry township in 1853 and held many positions of trust in the township and in the Methodist church, of which he was an earnest member.
George Taft died April 23, 1882, at East Elkport. He was born in Vermont, in 1807, and came to Elkport in 1874. He was the owner of a large stave factory and was one of the most public spirited citi- zens of Elkport.
John Paul Thoma died May 2, 1882, at Garnavillo. He was born in Bavaria, in 1802, and located in Garnavillo in 1852. He was one of the men who helped to give Garnavillo such a substantial growth.
Carl Reugnitz, Sr., died August 14, 1882, at Monona. He was born in Mecklenberg, in 1822. He moved to Clayton county in 1864 and was dearly beloved by many of his German friends. He was father of Charles Reugnitz, who for many years was the treasurer of the county.
Alonzo Winkley died December 2, 1882. He was born in New Hampshire, in 1821, and was a member of the legislature of that state. He entered the produce business in McGregor in 1862 and later inoved to Monona. He was an ardent Democrat and a man highly respected in his community.
Otto Blaul died December 4, 1882, at Volga City. He was born in Bavaria in 1839, coming to the United States in 1854. He was a sailor and enlisted with the United States Navy. At the outbreak of the war he re-enlisted and was in a number of naval engagements, being wounded by the explosion of a torpedo. He came to Volga in 1872 and was a member of the mercantile firm of Meuth & Blaul.
Digitized by GoogTo
267
IMPROVEMENT PERIOD-1880-1900
C. W. Hagensick died February 14, 1883, at Huron, South Dakota. He was one of the Hagensick family so widely known in the county and for many years a merchant and postmaster at Clayton Center. He moved to Dakota about a year before his death. He was born in Ger- many in 1824, located in Garnavillo in 1852, engaged in the drug busi- ness and later studied medicine and became a physician.
A. M. Goddard died March 18, 1883, at McGregor. He was born in Wisconsin, 1854, and located in McGregor in 1861; was co-founder of the Elkador Register with C. H. Otis, in 1877, and died after a long illness.
Elder D. M. Sterns died April 13, 1883. He laid out the town of Strawberry Point, was born in Vermont in 1807, came to Strawberry Point in 1856, was known and loved throughout the south part of the county as one of the pioneer preachers.
Henry Schneider died August 5, 1883. Born in Germany 1810, settled in Giard township in 1847, residing there continuously and was one of the early farmers in the north part of the county.
Henry Kellner was found dead at the Schroeder House, in El- kader, October 22, 1883. He was born in Prussia in 1828 and received a good education in Germany. After much travel he came to the United States, in 1856, and located at Guttenberg, in 1857, being em- ployed by Fleck & Bros. until 1869, when he was elected treasurer of Clayton county by the Republicans. He served ten years in this capacity. After retiring from office he made two trips to Germany. The funeral was one of the largest ever seen in Elkader and H. S. Merritt, Dr. Hoffbauer and S. K. Adams pronounced eulogies at his grave.
James McGuire died December 28, 1883, in Clayton township. He was born in Ireland in 1828 and arrived at Clayton in 1854. He served in various township offices and was president of the county agricultural society. He was buried at Garnavillo.
S. T. Woodward died at Independence, December 31, 1883. He was born in Vermont in 1828 and settled in Farmersburg township, in 1848. In 1858 he was appointed deputy county clerk, living at Gut- tenberg, then the county seat. He was admitted to the bar, in 1860, at which time he moved to Elkader. He built the handsome stone residence which commands Elkader from the bluffs on the west side of the river. He was one of the founders of the First National Bank and was a prominent factor in the life of the city for many years. Resolutions signed by R. Noble, S. Murdock and J. O. Crosby were passed by the bar association at the time of his death.
Christopher Hagensick died May 1, 1884. He was born in Bavaria in 1799. He came to this county, traveling overland from Ohio, with his friends, J. B. and Wolfgang Schmidt, in 1848, and preempted land near Garnavillo. He was the founder of the Hagen- sick family of this county. He was a successful farmer and a good citizen and died highly respected by all.
Norman Hamilton died by his own hand, June 13, 1884. His mental condition had been bad for some months previously and he was not responsible for the deed. He was born in New York, 1831, and purchased land in Clayton county, in 1854. He served as deputy sur-
Digitized by GoogTo
268
MEMOIRS OF CLAYTON COUNTY
veyor and was one of the first to import fine stock into the county. He was one of the founders of the agricultural society, was its first secre- tary and was secretary at the time of his death.
Peter Karberg died at Lincoln, Nebraska, July 2, 1884, as a result of an accident. He was a German by birth and came to Clayton county at an early date. He enlisted from this county and was after- wards commissioned as captain and organized the Fifty-First U. S. Colored Infantry, in Louisiana. He was best known as an editor and was connected with German journalism during his later days and at the time of his death was editor of the Staats Anzeiger of Lincoln, Nebraska.
John Downie died September 21, 1884, at Pony Hollow. He was of Scotch descent and was born in Canada, 1823, and moved with his parents to Clayton county in 1838, settling in Boardman township. Both he and his father were prominent in the life of the county.
Thomas Casey died at Cox Creek November 22, 1884. He was born in Ireland, in 1818, and moved to Clayton county in 1854. He was the owner of a fine farm of 320 acres. He was an ardent demo- crat and it was his anxiety to get .the news of the exciting election of 1884, which caused him to drive to Elkader, contracting a severe cold which caused his death.
Joseph B. Quigley died November 19, 1884. He was one of the very first settlers of this county, establishing himself near Millville in 1836. He was a man of great intelligence and mechanical ability, and was the father of a distinguished family, his son being the present sen- ator from this county. He resided in Highland township and he was a prominent figure in the county for many years.
Ambrose P. Cook died September 4, 1884, from heart disease. He was born in Vermont, 1808, and located in Highland, in 1885. He served as the justice of the peace and as a postmaster and moved to Elkader in 1869.
Thomas Flaherty died at Elkport, December 3, 1884. He was born in Ireland, 1808, and moved to East Elkport in 1855. He was known and loved as "Uncle Tom" and left a host of friends in his community.
S. K. Adams died at Independence, January 17, 1885. He was a young man, having been born in Virginia in 1850. He came with his parents to Farmersburg in 1856. He taught in the district schools and studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1871. He was deputy school superintendent under John Everall. He was a brilliant young lawyer and was prominent in democratic politics, stumping the county during several campaigns. He was married in October, 1884, and soon after was taken with an illness which developed insanity. He was taken to the hospital at Independence and there died. He was recognized as one of the most brilliant young men of Elkader; and his career would have been one of prominence but for his untimely death.
S. H. Oathout died, February 8, 1885, in Monona township. He was born in New York, in 1809, and located in Monona township in 1855. He was the father of a numerous family which was prominent in the county, his son, O. D. Oathout, being county superintendent at the time of his father's death.
Digitized by GoogTo
269
IMPROVEMENT PERIOD-1880-1900
James Tapper died February 25, 1885. He was born in England, in 1810, and came to America in 1828, engaging first in the fisheries of Newfoundland. He next went to Cuba, where he was engaged in mining. In 1840, he came to McGregors Landing and was employed by the government at Fort Atkinson. He pre-empted land in Giard township and in 1865 represented that township on the board of super- visors, serving for several years. He was one of the organizers of Giard township. He was noted for his honesty and fairness and his adventurous life made him a most agreeable companion.
Martin Brazil died, March 11, 1885, from accidental poisoning. He was born in Ireland, in 1801, and located in Clayton in 1841, and was one of the pioneer members of the Catholic church of the county.
P. C. Young died at Rock Rapids March 30, 1885. He was a resident of Elkader for a number of years and was very prominent both as a lawyer and as a politician.
William H. Stephens died at Garnavillo July 29, 1885. He was born in New Hampshire in 1802 and was Indian agent at Prairie du Chien, in 1838. He was a partner with John Deere at Grand de Tour, Wisconsin, and was connected with the manufacture of the first Deere plows. He located in Garnavillo in 1856. He was a man of high character and held many position of trust in his township.
W. A. Skinner died at Elkader, August 9, 1885. He was born in Virginia in 1821 and came to Iowa in 1843 and was employed as a printer on the Miner's Express at Dubuque, one of Iowa's first news- papers. He moved to Elkader in 1866 and for ten years was justice of the peace for Boardman township.
S. N. Bixby died May 13, 1886. He was born in Vermont in 1824 and came to Clayton county in 1847. He was principal of the Elkader school from 1873 to 1876. He then studied medicine and located at Strawberry Point, where he was a successful and highly popular physician and a prominent man in the community.
Luther Patch died, July 15, 1886, at Elkader. He came to Clay- ton county, in 1842, and for a time operated the lower ferry at Mc- Gregor. He was prominent in the affairs of the county in an early day. In 1876, he moved to Elkader, where he resided with his daugh- ter, Mrs. Samuel Murdock.
John Garber died, August 26, 1886. He was born in Virginia in 1818, and located in Elkport in 1848. He at once became prominent in the politics of the county and in 1852 was elected to the legislature. He served as county judge in 1860, being the last to hold that position. He was elected sheriff and, in 1866, he again served in the legislature. He was prominent in republican circles, was chairman of the county committee and was a strong Union man. Later in life he met with financial reverses, his large warehouse at Elkport burning down. His brother Martin was county auditor and state senator in 1882 and his brother Silas was governor of Nebraska. In many ways he was one of the strongest and best men that Clayton county produced.
F. W. Sherman died, January 1, 1887, born in New York in 1806. He located in Monona, in 1853, and the last years of his life were spent in Elkader. He was one of the founders of Monona. His death was sudden, following a stroke of paralysis.
Digitized by Google
270
MEMOIRS OF CLAYTON COUNTY
W. J. Gilchrist died at McGregor, April 7, 1887. He located in McGregor in 1857 and was connected with the organization of the First National Bank. He was a member of the legislature in 1863, was a republican in politics and was one of the strong Union men of the county.
B. F. Fox died at McGregor, April 21, 1887. His death came without warning and was caused by heart disease. He lived in Garna- villo from the early days until 1881, when he removed to McGregor. In 1857, he was recorder of Clayton county and he was prominent in the politics of that period, being all his life a member of the democratic party.
R. C. Place died May 19, at Elkader. He was born in Vermont in 1835 and located in Elkader in 1858. His brother, L. H. Place, was sheriff of the county and he was a member of the board of super- visors from 1864 to 1871. He was active in securing the building of the court house and was a leader in all the affairs of Elkader. He was a merchant and stock buyer and a man of great popularity.
Rev. Father J. J. Quigley died September 10, 1887. He was pastor of the Catholic church of Elkader for twenty years and was active in building up the fine property of that church. A more ex- tended mention will be found in the chapter devoted to the church.
Iro P. Winter died, May 14, 1888, near Monona. He was born in New York, 1818, and settled in Monona in 1852. He was justice of the peace and assessor for many years, and was known throughout the county as "Squire Winter." He served as deputy county treas- urer and was a man of great information and much native ability and was one of the most popular men in this county.
George Brinkhaus died, May 23, 1888, at Mederville. He was born in Cox Creek township, 1855, and was engaged in the mercantile business in the firm of Brinkhaus Bros. at Mederville for many years.
Fielding Snedigar died in Elkader, November 21, 1888. He was born in Illinois, in 1822, and came to Clayton county in 1851. In 1861, he became a general merchant in Elkader and in 1864 he formed a partnership with C. F. Stearns. He was postmaster of Elkader from 1861 to 1868 and was one of the strongest Union men of the county. He was a man of the highest integrity and was respected by the entire community.
William Hunt died in Mallory township, February 17, 1889. He was born in Pennsylvania, in 1817, and located in Mallory township in 1850, and was one of the leading men of his community.
Maurice Fleck died at Guttenberg, June 8, 1889. He was born in Germany, in 1821, and came to Guttenberg in 1850. He was a prominent merchant of that city for many years, the firm being known as Fleck, Bleidung & Co. But a few months before his death Mr. Fleck was forced to make an assignment and financial troubles hastened his death. He was known as an honest and honorable man and was sincerely mourned by many friends.
Richard Everall died, April 27, 1890, at Farmersburg. He was born in England, in 1805, and came to Clayton county in 1851. He was one of the organizers of the Congregational church at Farmers-
Digitized by Gosto
271
IMPROVEMENT PERIOD-1880-1900
burg and was the father of John Everall, one of the most prominent citizens of the county.
L. D. Davis died at Pickwick, Minnesota, August 18, 1890. He was the son of Hon. Timothy Davis and came to Elkader with his father in 1846. He lived in Elkader for many years and was con- nected with the Elkader mill. He was noted for his public spirited- ness and generosity. He met with business reverses and died in com- parative poverty.
James M. Hill of St. Olaf died, September 15, 1890. He was known throughout the county as "Yankee Hill." He was born in New York, in 1820, and moved to Clayton county in 1858. He was widely known throughout the county and his tavern at St. Olaf was one of the most popular places of public entertainment.
J. C. Rounds died, February 6, 1892. He was born in Massa- chusetts, in 1818, and settled in Marion township in 1855. He helped to organize the township and was responsible for its receiving the name Marion after having first been christened Morasser. He was prominent in democratic politics and was a member of the legislature in 1873, and prior to that time was a member of the board of super- visors. Although living in a strong republican community he never failed to receive a majority of votes from his township. His record as a citizen and as an official was above reproach.
Edward Sherman died, February 6, 1892, at National. He was born in New Hampshire, 1813, and was a continuous resident of Farmersburg township from 1847 to the time of his death.
Alexander Falconer died, February 9, 1892, at Communia. He was born in Scotland, in 1805, and came to this country in 1833. He served eleven years in the army, being a veteran of the Seminole and Mexican wars. He came to Clayton county in 1844 and was a promi- nent farmer of Communia.
Adam Hofer died, February 17, 1892. He was born in Baden, in 1821, and made Clayton county his home in 1854. He was the father of Edward and Frank Hofer, for many years editors of the McGregor News.
William F. Huntting, president of the Huntting Elevator Com- pany, of McGregor, died suddenly of heart disease, April 29, 1892. He was one of the most prominent grain operators in the northwest and was a man of large means, his estate being estimated at $500,000. He was closely connected with Diamond Jo Reynolds in his business enterprises, and his death was a distinct loss to the business circles of McGregor. He was born in Long Island, 1828, and settled in Mc- Gregor in 1857. He was known at all times for his business ability and great public spirit.
Rufus Richardson died, May 2, 1892. He was born in Vermont, 1818, and located at Monona in 1856, where he ran the Egbert House, a noted hostelry of that day. He lived in Wagner township until 1874, when he moved to Elkader, where he spent the remainder of his days.
Dr. William Hoffbauer died, July 27, 1892. He was born in Den- mark, attended the university of Wurzburg, was a revolutionist and was in prison. After his release from prison he pursued his studies
Digitized by GoogTo
272
MEMOIRS OF CLAYTON COUNTY
and graduated from the University of Berlin. He was a member of the German parliament and was so outspoken in his views against monarchy that he was forced to leave the country. He came to Amer- ica in 1851, and to Guttenberg the same year, where he resided until 1875. The remainder of his life was passed in Guttenberg and Du- buque. He was a man of splendid education and eminent in his pro- fession, a fine orator and a very public spirited citizen. His son-in- law, Alexander Bleidung, represented this county in the legislature.
Charles Schoch, Sr., died at Elkader, November 28, 1892. He was born in Wurtemburg in 1821, came to America in 1844, and to Clayton county in 1853, locating in Elk township, and afterward establishing a blacksmith's shop at Communia. He moved to Elkader in 1863. He acquired a competency and earned the esteem of all.
Joseph Bradshaw died in Sperry township June 15, 1893. He was born in Indiana, 1825, and settled in Clayton county in 1849. He was a member of Company E, Ninth Iowa Volunteers and was a man highly prized by his community. His funeral, at Volga, was attended by a large concourse.
John Larkin died July 16, 1893, at Elkader. He was born in Illinois, 1840, and was educated at Sinsinawa college, coming to Clay- ton county immediately after his graduation. He taught school for some time and studied law under J. O. Crosby and was admitted to the bar. He was married to a daughter of Patrick Uriell. At Elkader he was in partnership with Samuel Murdock and he became a lawyer of the first rank. He was a profound student and an eloquent orator. At his funeral Reuben Noble, Thomas Updegraff, S. Murdock, D. D. Murphy, J. E. Corlett and T. M. Davidson acted as pallbearers.
Fred Thoma died, July 17, 1893, in Grand Meadow township by his own hand. He was born in Germany in 1832 and located at Garna- villo in 1848. He removed to Grand Meadow in 1866. He was in good financial circumstances and no reason was known why he should have ended his life.
J. M. Leach, postmaster of Elkader, died September 19, 1893. He was born in Massachusetts, in 1838, and came to Monona, in 1857, engaging in mercantile business. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-seventh Iowa and in 1863 was appointed quartermaster sergeant of the First West Tennessee Infantry. He was mustered out with the rank of first lieutenant. He returned to Monona in 1867, and, in 1872, was deputy auditor under Martin Garber. He was appointed postmaster of Elkader in 1889, which position he held at the time of his death.
H. F. W. Bothmer died at Clayton, September 23, 1893. He was born in Germany, 1813, and settled at Clayton in 1851. He was one of the pioneer millers of the county.
G. A. Appleman died November 4, 1893, at Elkader. He was born in Connecticut in 1817. He was a sailor and circumnavigated the globe and had sailed all over the known world. In 1854 he left the sea and settled at Garnavillo. His wife was a sister of Hon. E. H. Wil- liams and his daughters were Mrs. H. J. Grotenwohl and Mrs. Wil- liam Larrabee. He was a man of the kindliest disposition and his
Digitized by Googto
273
IMPROVEMENT PERIOD-1880-1900
vast experience, from sailor boy to sea captain, made him a most delightful companion.
Rev. W. B. Smith died at Osterdock, November 13, 1893. He was born in Vermont, 1811. He began his career as a preacher in 1832. He lived in Elkader and vicinity for many years and was the friend and counsellor of all. He served three years in the Union army and during this time his health was greatly impaired. He was the youngest brother of Joseph Smith, the great Mormon prophet, and he was a believer in his brother and in the Mormon faith. His brothers, Joseph and Hiram were shot at Nauvoo, Illinois, while he was in Philadelphia on a mission for his church. Returning to Nauvoo, he found that Brigham Young had seized the leadership of Mormonism and had announced the doctrine of polygamy. Mr. Smith refused to accept this and never affiliated with the polygamist branch of the church. He was buried at the church of the Latter Day Saints of Osterdock and he was beloved by all who knew him.
William A. Penfield, for many years one of the leading citizens of Volga, died, December 2, 1893. He was born in New York, in 1819, and first settled in Iowa, in Sperry township, in 1864. He established a furniture and undertaking business in Volga, in 1874, and held many township offices and was coroner of Clayton county. He was an ardent Republican and was conspicuous in political and fraternal circles. He was a man of considerable literary ability and his writings appear frequently in the newspapers of the county.
Edward Dickens died, January 17, 1894, at McGregor. He built the first log cabin in Clayton county, and he was one of the most popular of the pioneers. At reunions he was a conspicuous figure and his stories of the early days delighted the people. His funeral was attended by large numbers of pioneers from all over the county and Judge Murdock pronounced a eulogy at his grave.
Judge L. O. Hatch died at McGregor, July 19, 1894. He was born in Ohio, in 1826. He had few school advantages but was a great student and was able to teach school when but 18 years of age. While teaching he studied law and was admitted to the bar, in 1849. For eighteen months he travelled for the American Anti-slavery society, distributing literature and delivering addresses in opposition to slavery, at a time when that was a dangerous occupation. He came to Iowa in 1853, taught school in Delaware county and, in 1854, located at Waukon. Here he practiced law until January 1, 1869, when he removed to McGregor, forming a partnership with Reuben Noble, the firm being Noble, Hatch & Frese. This partnership continued until 1874, when Mr. Noble became judge. Mr. Hatch continued to practice law in McGregor until 1882, when he was elected to the judgeship, which position he was filling at the time of his death. In politics he was a Republican until his later years, when he became an ardent Democrat. He was one of the ablest jurists this county has known. His death resulted from an accident which occurred in January, 1894. Going from North McGregor to McGregor he was carried by the station. He attempted to make a short cut to Main street and fell off the trestle, a distance of fifteen feet, to the rocks below. Both legs were broken, and from this injury he never recovered.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.