USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > History of Dubuque County, Iowa; being a general survey of Dubuque County history, including a history of the city of Dubuque and special account of districts throughout the county, from the earliest settlement to the present time > Part 59
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 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103
JOHN A. KERPER, secretary of the Peter J. Seippel Lumber Com- pany since its inception, was born near New Vienna, Dubuque county, on December 17, 1873, and is a son of Bernard and Mary Magdalena (Steil) Kerper. The father was the son of John and Mary Kerper and came with them to America in 1852, when they located on a farm near New Vienna, which he cleared and culti- vated ; he is at present residing in New Vienna at the age of sixty- four years. After attending the district schools John A. Kerper entered the Northern Illinois Normal School. He then completed his studies with a course in the Dixon Business College, which he left in 1891. The following three years he worked on his father's farm, then went to Farley and became a bookkeeper and salesman for the George McGee Lumber and Farm Implement Company, remaining thus employed until 1896. Succeeding this he was employed in a like capacity by the Meuser & Seippel Lumber Com- pany, East Dubuque, and when Mr. Seippel came to Dubuque Mr. Kerper came with him and they have been associated together in the lumber business ever since. The Peter J. Seippel Lumber Com- pany was incorporated on February 25, 1904, and Mr. Kerper was elected secretary thereof, and at present has an interest in the con- cern. He is independent in politics and is Grand Knight at the present writing of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of St. Raphael's Cathedral. To his marriage with Miss Angeline Mar- shall, solemnized in East Dubuque, September 26, 1891, three daughters, Bernice, Constance and Kathleen, have been born. Mrs. Kerper is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Marshall, who
540
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
were descended from old French families. Mr. Marshall is residing in Rock Island, Illinois, is a blacksmith by occupation and a very worthy man. The Kerper home in Dubuque is located at 206 Bluff street.
GEORGE L. HEIN, secretary and treasurer of the Thomas J. Mul- grew Coal, Wood and Ice Company since its incorporation in 1904, is a native of Dubuque, and the son of Thomas and Dora Hein. Thomas Hein primarily worked for a teaming contractor, and upon coming to Dubuque in 1854 engaged in that line of business on his own account. He also for some time conducted a buffet in this city. When civil war threatened the disruption of the Union in the early sixties he enlisted in answer to President Lincoln's call for volun- teers in the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. During one of his engagements he suffered a broken leg and was forced to remain in a hospital until again fit for service. At the conclusion of the war he was honor- ably discharged, and immediately returned to Dubuque, where he followed contracting until his death in December, 1906, aged sixty- five years. The Hein family originate from Germany but for gen- erations have resided in America. Mrs. Hein is yet living and makes her home at 732 West Fifth street. George L. Hein, the subject of this review, attended the Dubuque public schools and in 1891 graduated from a course in Bayless Business College. Two years later he became a bookkeeper in the Mulgrew & Phillips Ice, Coal and Wood concern and held that position until the reorganiza- tion of the firm in 1904 as the Thomas J. Mulgrew Coal, Wood and Ice Company, at which time he was elected secretary and treasurer. He has since been thus associated, being also a director of the con- cern. Socially he is a member of the Eagles, Modern Woodmen of America and the Dubuque T. & B. M. Association. In February, 1901, he married Miss Elizabeth Bedenbender, daughter of Freder- ick and Mary Bedenbender, and they have one daughter, Juanita. and one son, Elwyn, both attending the Irving school, in Dubuque. Mr. and Mrs. Bedenbender were pioneer settlers and farmers of Mosalem township, and there the former died in 1904. Mrs. Beden- bender is yet living and resides with Mr. and Mrs. Hein in their home at 492 Delhi street.
THOMAS KELLY died in May, 1867. He had been the owner of the beautiful bluff and grove overlooking the city and bearing his name. For many years he had lived something of a hermit's life, but all respected him. He was well known by name to thousands who never saw him, and yet were his neighbors. He took no part in the prosperity of Dubuque, vet all had enjoyed his grove and bluff many times. He came here in 1833 and lived until death, a bachelor miner. He left several relatives in the county. He first came stealthily to Dubuque in 1832, as others did, and built a cabin,
54I
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
but was forced across the river by the soldiers. He first mined south of the ravine which became called Dodge street, but not meeting with success took possession of what became "Kelly's Bluff." It was the spot of an old Indian encampment. Alone he opened a shaft and in two days at a depth of fourteen feet raised 400 pounds of ore and the next day 1,000 pounds. He then staked off this "claim." He soon reached the main lode and it was sufficient to make him rich. In 1836 he brought his relatives on from Canada and in 1837 built a smelting furnace of his own on the bluff. It was yet standing in 1844. He lived partly in a cave or rocky shaft on his land and partly in one of his tenements. At the time of his death his property was variously estimated to be worth from $50,000 to $200,000. He was exceedingly eccentric, and many extremely interesting incidents connected with his life here are recollected by very old settlers. Reports that he had buried large sums of gold on his property caused the formation of searching parties after his death, but their trespassing was ordered stopped by the city authori- ties. Later considerable gold was found.
NICHOLAS M. SHAFFER, the well-known nurseryman and farmer on section 27, Cascade township, comes from an ancestry of which he may well be proud. He is a son of Christopher and Margaret (Widner) Shaffer, and a grandson of Nicholas Shaffer. Nicholas Shaffer was a native of France, his birth occurring near the German border, and served as a soldier under the great Napoleon and Louis XVIII for eighteen years. He married Mary Barbara Kline and with her and their three children, Christopher, then seven years of age, Nicholas, who died at Cascade, Iowa, twelve years ago, and Mary, who died in 1906 in Jones county, Iowa, emigrated to the United States by way of New Orleans. He first located in Ohio, but later removed to Indiana, where he died in 1850, at the age of seventy-two years. Christopher Shaffer grew to manhood in this country. In 1856 he came to Dubuque county and located on the farm now resided on by the subject of this sketch, and was here engaged in general agricultural pursuits until 1873, at which time, with the aid of his son, he established also the present nursery busi- ness. He became widely known throughout all this section by rea- son of his fine farm and nursery, his specialty being the grape. He died in 1908, aged eighty-five years, but his widow survives him at the age of eighty-three and resides in the village of Cascade. Their children were: N. M .; Hannah B., who married and lives in Kan- sas : Mary Jane, married, and resides in Kansas City ; George H., a resident of Cascade; Rosanna, married, and residing in Kansas City ; and Sarah Ann, married and making her home in Cascade. Nicholas M. Shaffer was born in Clinton county, Indiana, in 1848, and after attending the public schools in youth, learned paper mak- ing, and for five years traveled extensively. He then joined his
542
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
father in the nursery business, at which he has ever since been engaged. In 1874 he married Catherine Moran, born March I, 1854, at Dunkirk, New York, daughter of Patrick and Margaret ( Maddigan) Moran, who were natives of Ireland. Patrick Moran came to the United States when nineteen years old, was a car- penter by trade, married at Dunkirk, New York, located at Cascade in 1856, and died in 1899. His parents, Dennis and Mary Moran, came from Ireland, but because of sickness at the port of New York they became separated and Mary Moran was never again heard from. Patrick Moran and wife were the parents of Nellie, Cath- erine, Mary, Henry, Maggie, James, Patrick, Dennis and John. To the marriage of Nicholas M. Shaffer and Catherine Moran eleven children have been born, named, Margaret, Mary, Christopher, Wil- liam, Calista, Rose and Caroline (twins), Catherine, Sadie, Nichi- olas and Isabella. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer and their children are members of the Roman Catholic church.
JOSEPH A. MEUSER, lumberman, is one of the city's representa- tive business men. He is a son of William and Margaret Meuser, natives of Germany, and was born at Warren, Illinois, August 16. 1865. In 1855 the father emigrated to America and located at Mineral Point, Wisconsin. In 1875 the family removed to Dubuque, the father engaging in business and being active in the affairs of the city to the time of his death, December 22, 1882. Hs widow yet survives him and resides at 2328 Couler avenue. After coming to this country in 1855 the father, William Meuser, became actively identified with its institutions and when the disruption of the Union was threatened he volunteered his services for its preservation. His military career was conspicuous for bravery and strict obedience to his superiors. He was a member of Company I, Second Wisconsin Infantry, which was a part of the historical "Iron Brigade." A tes- timonial of bravery, testifying that at the battle of Gettysburg he "advanced beyond any other and captured five prisoners" is prized very highly by the family as, indeed, it should be.
After he removed to Dubuque in 1875, Joseph A. Menser, the immediate subject of this sketch, attended St. Mary's parochial school, continuing his studies at St. Joseph's College, Dubuque, and also taking a course at Bayless Business College.
After leaving school he entered the employ of C. W. Robison. the lumberman, as bookkeeper, continuing thus about eight years. In 1887, in conjunction with Peter J. Seippel, he established the firm of Meuser & Seippel, doing a wholesale and retail lumber busi- ness at East Dubuque, Illinois. Prosperity crowned the efforts of the proprietors and from a small beginning it developed into one of the large lumber concerns along the Mississippi river.
In 1896 the firm of Ott, Meuser & Co. was established at Dubuque, Iowa, doing a wholesale and retail lumber business, and
543
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
the firm of Meuser & Seippel, operating at East Dubuque, was dissolved. The business was continued under this ownership until 1906, when Mr. Ott retired from the firm, the business being con- tinued by Meuser Brothers, operating, in addition to their Dubuque wholesale plant, a string of retail yards. In 1908 the firm consoli- dated their wholesale plant at Dubuque with that of the Peter J. Seippel Lumber Company and incorporated the Meuser Lumber Company, which company continues to operate the retail yards in Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. Mr. Joseph A. Meuser is president of the Meuser Lumber Company, and treasurer of the Peter J. Seip- pel Lumber Company. Besides being active in these companies, Mr. Meuser is interested in other Dubuque enterprises and his policy has been to aid and build them up. He is also one of the organizers of the East Dubuque Savings Bank and holds the position of vice president. Mr. Meuser is a Democrat but does not take an active part in party politics and invariably votes for the man rather than the party.
He is a member of St. Mary's congregation of the Roman Cath- olic church and is a member of the Dubuque Club and several benev- olent organizations. October 4, 1893, he was united in marriage with Rose Mary Beck, daughter of William and Mary A. Beck, early settlers in Dubuque. They have three sons, named, William Beck. Joseph A., and Alfred Francis. Mr. Meuser is one of the open, frank and whole-souled men it is a pleasure to meet. He is active in business, of untarnished reputation and a commanding figure in the civic and commercial affairs of the city. .
WILLIAM B. ONEILL, a veteran of the Civil war and a farmer and stockraiser of Cascade township, was born in New York city in 1840. His parents, William and Margaret ( Byers) Oneill, were natives of County Dublin and County Cavan, Ireland, respectively. They came to America separately and were married in New York city and there Mr. Oneill worked at his trade of blacksmith for a time. He then with his family moved West, going by canal from Albany to Buffalo, thence by boat to Milwaukee and Chicago, and from there by stage to Galena. After a short stay at the latter place in a tavern kept by a Mr. Burns they continued by stage to Dubuque, and finally, in June, 1843, located on a farm near Garry Owen, in Jackson county, Iowa, where Mr. Oneill died in 1845. aged thirty-eight years. Mrs. Oneill married Nahum Green and bore him one daughter. Everetta, who married Henry Gill. In 1852 the family moved to the place in Cascade township, now owned by the subject of this sketch. Mr. Green died in 1853. and his widow, for her third husband, married James B. Kittler, who died in 1869. Mrs. Kittler was born in 1815, and died December 12, 1886, a Presbyterian in religious belief. William B. Oneill has passed the greater part of his life in Dubuque county, where he is
544
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
universally respected. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H. Four- teenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served until honorably dis- charged. He participated in the reduction of Fort Donelson and at the battle of Shiloh, on the first day's fight, was captured by the enemy and held a prisoner fifty-two days. He was paroled and passed to the Union lines at Chattanooga, and upon being exchanged rejoined his command July 12, 1862. He received a furlough to recuperate, and then was engaged in garrison duty and on detached service, mostly in Kentucky, until the beginning of 1864. He took part in the Red River expedition under General Banks, and was engaged in numerous encounters with the enemy in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, and on the 17th of November, 1864, was discharged after serving three years and one month. Returning to Dubuque county after his military service, Mr. Oneill resumed farming. He married Mary Jane Breakey, daughter of John and Martha (Robinson) Breakey, in 1872, and to them have been born these children: Eliza (Mrs. George Wall) ; George: Mabel (Mrs. Jesse Green) : William, married Blanche Sparks and resides in Washington, and Samuel, now in the Eightlı United States Infantry. The parents of Mrs. Oneill were born and mar- ried in Ireland and came to the United States in 1846. They had these children : James ; Mary ; Andrew, a Civil war veteran ; Sarah ; Margaret, and Martha. James Breakey was a Civil war veteran ; he enlisted in Company E, First Minnesota Infantry, in 1861. Mr. Breakey came to Dubuque at an early period in its history and here engaged in lead mining. In 1855 he moved to a farm in Cascade township and there died in 1886, and his wife in 1880. He was one of thirteen children born to Isaiah and Jane ( Hayden) Breakey. Martha (Robinson ) Breakey was the daughter of James Robinson, who, with two brothers, Joseph and George, was engaged in tan- ning. William B. Oneill was engaged in farming near Fillmore twelve years, but after his marriage moved to his present place in 1885 and has here resided ever since. He is a Presbyterian in religion, a Republican in politics and a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Grand Army of the Republic.
RICHARD D. MULLEN, extensively engaged with his brother, Daniel P. Mullen, in the plumbing business in Dubuque, with offices and warehouse at 1036 Main street, is one of the well known and successful business men of this city. Michael and Ellen Mullen, his parents, were of Irish ancestry, and the father, who died in 1889, at the age of sixty-five years, was a well known railroad contractor. His widow died in 1900, aged seventy-five years, and both are buried in Mount Olivet cemetery. Richard D. Mullen attended St. Patrick's Parochial School until twelve years of age, and at that youthful period began learning the plumbing business with Mor- rison Brothers. After completing his apprenticeship he continued
545
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
with this firm four years, and with its successor an additional three years. In 1892 he organized the firm of Mullen Brothers, four brothers constituting the partnership, viz .: Richard D., John, Michael and Daniel P., and this continued unchanged until 1899, when, owing to the retirement of John and Michael, the present arrangement has obtained. The firm furnishes employment for about fifteen men and is one of the largest establishments of its kind in Dubuque. Mr. Mullen was born in this city January 16, 1867. His entire life has been passed here and has the commenda- tion of all who know him. He is an adherent of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church, is a member of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks and a Knight of Columbus. In politics he is a Democrat.
AUGUST L. GLASER, for the last ten years engaged in the floral and nursery business at Dubuque, was born in Stein, near Leipsic, Kingdom of Saxony, Germany, on December 15, 1850. Johann and Caroline Glaser, his parents, were also natives of that country, where they conducted a hotel, and there died in 1885, aged seventy- two years and sixty-nine years, respectively. Until his nineteenth birthday August L. Glaser attended the German public schools and then immigrated to America, landing at New York city. Shortly after landing he came West to Chicago and for about four years worked on a farm in the vicinity of that city. In 1876 he went to Des Moines, Iowa, and took a position in the greenhouse of a Mr. Peter Lambert, learning the profession thoroughly with a view to entering it on his own account. In 1886 he bought a farmi near Grinnell, Iowa, but shortly thereafter disposed of same at a price far less than he had paid for it, and came to Dubuque, which he thought an unusually good commercial town. This was in the year 1889. He was appointed by the board of directors of Linwood cemetery superintendent of the burial grounds, and satisfactorily held this position until 1901. He then bought a large tract of land in the city, having previously purchased an adjacent lot, and erected suitable hothouses and embarked in the nursery and floral business. By good management Mr. Glaser has succeeded in making his establishment the second largest of its kind in the city, and he enjoys a large and profitable local business. Politically he affiliates with no particular party, and socially is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and numerous other organiza- tions. May 2, 1879, in Dubuque, he married Miss Clara Riedl, daughter of George and Clara Riedl, pioneer settlers of Dubuque. Her father died in October, 1890, aged seventy-two years, and the mother in 1896, aged sixty-nine. To Mr. and Mrs. Glaser tlie following family of five sons and one daughter have been born: Leonora Frances, at home : Charles J., with father; Louis A. J.,
546
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
assisting father; Leo J., same; Julius G., attending Sacred Heart Catholic school; Clarence A. The family home is at 817 Windsor avenue.
HENRY MUELLER, associated with August A. Schilling in car- penter contracting, Dubuque, since 1904, was born here on July 14, 1876, and is a son of Andrew and Christine Mueller. Andrew Mueller was a native of Germany and came to America and Dubuque about 1860, and here for years followed his trade of cooper. On April 23, 1909, he passed away and was buried in St. John's cemetery, Dubuque. His widow still survives and is at present residing in Chicago. Henry Mueller received his scholastic training in the Fifth ward (now Audubon) and German public schools, leaving in his fifteenth year, and then for a time worked with his father at the coopering business. He then learned carpen- tering and for ten years worked at the trade as a journeyman and was in the employ of F. W. Brunkow, of Dubuque. In 1904, in partnership with August A. Schilling, he embarked in the contract- ing business on his own account and has met with unusual success. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Modern Brother- hood of America and of the German Methodist church. October 16, 1900, in Dubuque, he was united in marriage with Miss Ella May Roschi, daughter of Adam Roschi, and to them have been born one daughter and one son, named : Helen, eight years old and attending school, and Ralph, five years old, attending kindergarten. The family residence in Dubuque is located at 395 Eagle Point avenue.
MOSES H. MARTIN, president of the Martin-Strelau Storage & Transfer Company, of Dubiique, is a son of George and Mary Martin, who came from Ireland to New York city and to Dubuque in the year 1854, at a time when this city was but fairly emerging from a small, unpretentious village to the more important position as one of the growing and promising cities of the great West. Here George Martin started in the teaming business in a small way, pros- pering and increasing in importance as time passed, and this was the foundation of the present business carried on by his son. Hc dicd in 1892, when seventy-four years old, followed by his widow one year later aged seventy-one years. Moses H. Martin was born in New York city on April 10, 1854, and came with his parents to Dubuque when an infant. He was here educated in the public schools and at the age of nineteen years began clerking in a hard- ware store. When free mail delivery was first established in Dubuque, Mr. Martin was appointed one of the carriers and this position he filled for eight years and four months. In 1881 he bought out his father's teaming business which he conducted alone until 1889, materially increasing the volume of business and to
547
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
which he added various other important departments. So extensive had the business become that in the year last mentioned Paul E. Strelau became a partner under the present firm name and this condition has obtained up to the present. Mr. Martin is one of Dubuque's active and enterprising business men. He is a Presby- terian in religion, a Republican in politics, and a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Iowa Legion of Honor. On Christmas day, 1880, he married Miss Gussie E. Stelan, daughter of John and Emily Stelan, who were among the early settlers of this county. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin, as follows : Florence A., a high school graduate; Frederick D., the publisher of a newspaper in New York city; Mabel Harriet, a kindergarten teacher in the schools of Dubuque, and Harold Paul, now attending school.
JOHN RANKIN, who died in Epworth, November 5, 1905, was deserving of much credit for the success he achieved in life through his own unaided efforts. He was born in 1833, in County Donegal, Ireland, the only son of James and Mary Rankin. When twenty years of age he immigrated to the United States and for three years made his home in Philadelphia. In 1856 he came to Dubuque county, Iowa, and engaged in farming and in buying and selling stock until August, 1861, when he enlisted in Company I, Second Iowa Cavalry. He was an active participant in all the movements and engagements of his command, and during his entire service of three years was off duty but three weeks, then being in the hospital. He was mustered out of service at Davenport, Iowa, in 1864 with the rank of corporal. Upon his return home he bought forty acres of land in North Dubuque, which he farmed and resided on for fifteen years. He then bought 200 acres about three miles east of Epworth, known as the Johnson farm, upon which he lived eight years. In 1902 he moved to Epworth, where he made his home until his demise. Mr. Rankin was a man of strong mentality and possessed the happy faculty of making and retaining friends. He was buried in Highview cemetery under the auspices of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. to both of which orders he belonged. January 25, 1861, he married Miss Jessie Miller, who was born April 6, 1844, in Glasgow, Scot- land, the youngest of ten children born to Michael and Margaret Miller. Michael Miller died in the old country about the year 1848. His widow married Robert M. Mckinley and in 1849 the family came to America. They resided briefly in New York and Chicago, and in 1851 came by wagon to Dubuque county, Iowa. Mrs. Mckinley died in 1873 at the age of sixty-seven years. To Mr. and Mrs. Rankin two children were born: Margaret, single and residing at home, educated at and graduating from the Dubuque high school in 1884, attended Bayless Business College, and for nine years a
548
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
teacher in the Dubuque schools; David, the second child, attended the public schools of Dubuque in boyhood, graduated from Epworth Seminary in 1902, graduated from Cornell (Iowa) College in 1906 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, then took a two years' course in the law department of Harvard University, removed to the state of Washington, successfully passed his state bar examination in 1909, and is now practicing his profession in that state. Mrs. and Miss Rankin are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Epworth.
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.