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 60
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THOMAS SMITH, now living retired in Farley, was born No- vember 4, 1838, in Derbyshire, England, and when ten years old came with his parents, Thomas (after whom he was named) and Matilda (Hartshorn) Smith, to the United States. The family first resided in New Jersey, then moved to Pennsylvania, and from there, in 1872, removed to Dubuque county, Iowa, where the parents died. They had six children, of whom Thomas, the subject of this sketch, was the second. He left home when quite young and began for himself as a farm hand. He came to Iowa in 1856 and worked on a farm until the breaking out of the Civil war. In 1861 he enlisted in Company C, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served three years, being honorably discharged at East Point, Georgia, Sep- tember 24, 1864, by reason of the expiration of his term of enlist- ment. Mr. Smith participated in fourteen battles, the more im- portant being the siege of Vicksburg, Pea Ridge and Atlanta. Upon the conclusion of his military career he returned to Iowa and for seventeen years conducted a butcher shop in Farley, finally turning the business over to a son-in-law. In many ways Mr. Smith is one of the most widely known men in this section of the county. He served as township constable several terms, as mayor of Farley at different periods, treasurer of the school board, for the last thirty years as justice of the peace, and for two years as notary public. He is a Republican in politics, an Episcopalian in religion and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. February 11, 1860, he married Miss Mary Bazeley, who was born in July, 1842, in Wisconsin. Three children were born to this marriage, named Harriet, the wife of G. W. King, of Maquoketa, Iowa; Emma B., who is principal of the North Platte, Nebraska, high school, and Martha Matilda, who married Burton D. Heald, one of the well known men of Dubuque county. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
BURTON D. HEALD was born at Farley, Iowa, February 21, 1867. Alonzo K. Heald, his father, was a native of Ohio, came to Iowa in 1856, and after living near Manchester for a time came to Dubuque county and here resided until his death in December, 1909, at the age of seventy-five years. For a great many years he was engaged
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in merchandising here, and in this way became widely known. He was a man of unblemished reputation and character. In 1906 he retired from active business pursuits. After coming to Iowa he married Juliette Heath, a native of Ohio who is yet living, and they became the parents of eight children, the subject of this sketch being the fourth in order of birth. Burton D. Heald received his early education in the public schools and when twelve years old began clerking in his father's store. After attaining manhood he acquired an interest in the business and the firm name eventually became A. K. Heald & Son. After Mr. Heald retired the business was carried on under different partnerships until finally Burton D. Heald disposed of his interests therein, purchased a tract of land and has since followed general farming. He is the owner of the 160-acre farm known as the Cottonwood farm and here he special- izes in dairying and raising Jersey cattle. In August, 1889, he was united in marriage with Miss Tillie Smith, daughter of Thomas and Mary ( Bazeley ) Smith, who are appropriately represented else- where in this work. Mrs. Heald was born July 28, 1869, and to her marriage with Mr. Heald three children have been born: Ardo, born July 17, 1890, a student of the Chicago Veterinary College; Glenn, born November 8, 1896, and Imogene, born May II, 1905. Mr. Heald is a Republican, has served in various local positions of trust, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a stockholder and vice president of the Farley State Bank, and as one of the progressive farmers of the county erected the first silo in the community. Mr. Heald and family are Presbyterians in religion.
JOSEPH L. MEYER, vice president and manager of the Thomas J. Mulgrew Company, is a native of Buffalo, New York, and a son of George and Mary Magdalena Meyer. George Meyer was a veteran of the Civil war, having served as a member of the Thirty-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry. He moved to Delaware county, Iowa, when it was a new country, and there farmed for many years, subsequently coming to New Vienna, this county, where he lived a retired life until his death in 1903, at the age of eighty-three years. Mrs. Meyer died in 1910. Joseph L. Meyer was reared to manhood in Delaware county and was there educated in the public schools. In 1885 he began clerking in a general store at New Vienna, owned by Jacob Kerper, and from 1888 to 1893 was general manager of the establishment. In the year last mentioned he came to Dubuque and for a number of years represented the H. B. Glover Company in northeastern Iowa. In 1904 he became one of the organizers of the Thomas J. Mulgrew Company, with which concern he has ever since been identified. Besides his interests in this corporation Mr. Meyer is the owner of 320 acres of land in Minnesota. He is a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church, the Knights of
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Columbus and the Modern Woodmen of America. On May 14, 1889, he married Sophia H., daughter of Herman and Catherine C. Abeln, who were among the early settlers near New Vienna. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Meyer, named Anthony H., Rosalie and Herman Lewis.
COLONEL D. E. LYON, by reason of over half a century in the continuous and successful practice of law in Dubuque, and with due respect to all other lawyers, easily occupies a seat in the premier class of the bar of eastern Iowa. He was born in the state of New York in 1834, and, after attending the common schools, completed his literary training at Oberlin College. For four years thereafter he read law in the office of a practicing attorney, then took the state bar examination and stood fourth of nine successful applicants in a class of thirty-two, President Cleveland being a member of the same class. After visiting various parts of the United States he came to Dubuque in 1857, and for a period of fifty-four years has maintained offices for the practice of his profession at the corner of Fifth and Main streets. While his practice has been general, his success has been unusual, his unquestioned honesty, fairness, thor- ough knowledge of general law principles, and particular knowledge of the legal points involved in every case entrusted to him usually bringing a favorable decision to his cause. His energy, industry. patience, sagacity and intellectual compass and vitality made him an opponent to be both dreaded and respected in any case in which he was actively concerned. His legal career is indelibly stamped upon the records of Dubuque county, and his name is familiar in legal circles of this and neighboring states where he has been identified with many of the famous and important cases of the western courts.
Colonel Lyon has been a consistent Republican in politics, and, while in no sense an office seeker, has held the position of surveyor of the port of Dubuque. During the Civil war he was recruiting officer, and was aide de camp on the staff of Governor Kirkwood. Although well past the allotted period of three score years and ten, he still retains unimpaired his remarkable mentality, physical vigor and keen interest in his profession and public events that have characterized his career.
George T. Lyon, son of Colonel D. E. and Eunice A. Lyon, and associated with his father in the practice of law at Dubuque, was born in this city February 21, 1873, and is of English ancestry. His early education was obtained in the grammar and high schools of Dubuque, and his college training in the Upper Iowa University. In 1893 he entered the law department of the State University at Iowa City, and immediately upon his graduation therefrom, in 1895, embarked in the practice with his father, confining his work, largely, to corporation law. He is a Republican in politics and is now serving his second term as city attorney. Socially he belongs
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to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America. On June 10, 1896, Mr. Lyon wedded Miss Sarah J., daughter of John and Magdalena Boleyn, old residents of Dubuque, and to this union five daughters have been born, named Eunice T., Ruth B., Abbie, Georgia M. and Lois.
HARVEY HIRONS, farmer, residing on his farm of fifty acres on section 10, Taylor township, was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, August 31, 1858. His parents, William J. and Nancy J. ( Hartley ) Hirons, were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. They were married in the latter state and in the spring of 1858 moved to Dubuque county, Iowa, and here engaged in farming. In 1880 they removed to Sac county, Iowa, where Mr. Hirons died in 1910 when in his seventy-seventh year. He was an ardent Republican and a charter member of the Epworth Lodge of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Hirons survives him in Sac county and is seventy- five years old. They were the parents of nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the oldest. Harvey Hirons received his early education in the public schools, supplemented with six terms (two years) at Epworth Seminary. August 30, 1882, he married Miss Mary H. Briggs, daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Mann) Briggs, of whom appropriate mention is to be found in this publica- tion. Succeeding his marriage, Mr. Hirons engaged in fruit grow- ing for fifteen years, but since then he has followed general farming and stock raising. He is a Republican of the progressive class, has served as town recorder and a member of the council, and at the present writing is one of the executive board of Epworth Seminary. Mr. and Mrs. Hirons are actively identified with the Methodist Episcopal church.
Thomas G. Briggs (deceased) was one of the early pioneers of Dubuque county, Iowa, having settled here at the early date of 1844. He was born in Maine, March 4, 1817, and during his early career was a sailor on the ocean. He married Lois, the daughter of James and Annie (Akely) Mann, and after coming to this country when it was wild and in a primitive condition, commenced farming and continued that occupation throughout the remainder of his life. His wife died in 1859, leaving him three children, but one of whom is now living. In 1860 he married Rebecca Mann, a sister of his first wife, who was born in New York state, July 12, 1832, and came with her parents to Dubuque county in 1849. Six children were born to the second marriage, as follows: Mary H., now Mrs. Harvey Hirons; Theodore, died at the age of thirteen years ; Laura, died aged eleven years; Thomas Howard, see sketch following: Otis, died when seven years old, and Edwin, who died in early manhood when thirty-one years old. Thomas G. Briggs was one of this county's best and most deserving citizens. Honest, indus-
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trious and a good neighbor in all that the term implies, he died June 6, 1893, universally respected. Mrs. Rebecca Briggs, his widow, resides in Epworth, and is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Thomas Howard Briggs, son of the old pioneers, Thomas G. and Rebecca (Mann) Briggs, was born in this county April 29, 1868, and is now living on his farm of 104 acres on section 10, Taylor township. He was educated in the public schools and at Epworth Seminary. In September, 1891, he married Martha Dell Wilson. daughter of James and Margaret (Wilson) Wilson, who were natives of Ireland and immigrated to this country and Dubuque county in 1839. Mr. Wilson died in November, 1907, aged eighty- eight years, and is survived by his widow, seventy-nine years old, who makes hier home with a daughter in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs have three sons: Harvey H., George E. and Wilson. They have also an adopted daughter, Laura Opal, born October 9, 1903, and who joined them in 1906. Mr. Briggs is a Republican and he and family are Methodists.
JOHN E. MAGUIRE, M. D., has been actively and successfully engaged in the general practice of his profession in Dubuque since 1893. He was born in Dunleith, now East Dubuque, Illinois, on June 1, 1870, and is a son of Thomas and Ellen (Groff ) Maguire. pioneers of this section of the country. Thomas Maguire was a native of Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1849. He located in Dunleith, now East Dubnque, in 1860 and lias since been engaged in the mercantile business, being today one of the oldest active business men in that city. His wife died on February 21, 1896, aged forty-four years, and was laid at rest in East Dubuque. John E. Maguire, the immediate subject of this sketch, was educated in the Dubuque public schools, graduating from the high school in 1886. In 1893 he was graduated from the medical department of the State University of Iowa, at Iowa City. with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and since then has prac- ticed his profession in Dubuque with offices at 353 Fifteenth street. He is a Democrat in politics and from 1895 to 1900 served as county physician. Socially he is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters, Modern Woodmen of America, Modern Woodmen of the World, Court of Honor, and Royal Neighbors of America, and in religion is a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church. On January 8, 1901, the doctor was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Dever- eaux and they have one daughter, Ellen Marie. Mrs. Maguire is a daughter of Michael and Marie (Sullivan) Devereaux, natives of Ireland and residents of Iowa for many years. Dr. Maguire is one of the progressive members of his profession in Dubuque county.
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GEORGE W. STICHLER was but four years old when his parents came to Dubuque county, Iowa, and settled on a farm in Taylor township, and has always resided in this locality. He was born December 10, 1850, at Sandusky, Ohio, his parents being John N. and Mary M. (Dunbar) Stichler, to whom were born three chil- dren. The spring of 1854, at the time the family came to Dubuque- county, the country was for the most part wild and sparsely settled. The hardships and privations experienced by these early settlers was the common lot of all pioneers. The Stichlers were industrious and frugal and gradually prospered. In 1874, during an epidemic of typhoid fever, Mr. Stichler, his wife, his wife's mother who came with them from Ohio, and one son died from the ravages of this disease within six weeks' time. Upon arrival here Mr. Sticliler bought thirty acres of land, for which he paid $300, but at the time of his death had increased his holdings to 320 acres. George W. Stichler is the only surviving member of his family, a sister having been burned to death when thirteen years old by accidentally catch- ing fire at the old fashioned open hearth. He attended school when a boy and helped his father in the work of the home farm. He continued agricultural pursuits after his father's death, but in March, 1910, removed to Epworth where he now resides retired from the more active duties of life. September 19, 1872, he mar- ried Miss Julia Crane, who was born March 21, 1850, and died June 19, 1909, a daughter of Oliver Crane, who came to Dubuque county about the year 1847. To Mr. and Mrs. Stichler seven children have been born: Edith, wife of Frank Woods, of Jackson county, Iowa, the mother of two children: Walter, married Hannah Hinde and lives in Epworth ; John A., died at the age of fifteen years; Harry O., killed by lightning when twenty-five years old ; Orphea M., living with her parents and whose twin sister, Olive M., died in infancy, and George C., single, resides with his parents and is the owner of 320 acres of land in Dubuque county. Mr. Stichler is a Republican and for about thirty years has served as a member of the school board. He is a Methodist in religion and his wife is a Baptist.
JOSEPH J. ROWAN, JR., since 1905 engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery in Dubuque, is a native of this city, son of Joseph J., Sr., and Mary ( Keenan) Rowan, and grandson of James Rowan. Both sides of the family have been active in the early struggles of this country. James Rowan, before coming to Du- buque, was a soldier in the Mexican war ; the great-grandfather of the doctor's mother and six brothers served in one company during the War of the Revolution. Joseph J. Rowan, Sr., was born in Dub que, and here he became a well known clothing and dry goods merchant. The early education of Joseph J. Rowan, Jr., who was born August 20, 1878, was acquired in the Prescott public and St ..
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Patrick's parochial schools, and he later attended Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana. He decided that he would study medicine and surgery and accordingly entered the medical depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania, and in 1902 was duly graduated therefrom with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. For a term he served as resident physician in St. Mary's Hospital, Phila- delphia, and for two years was dispensary assistant, then returned to Dubuque and has here built up a large and lucrative practice. The doctor's offices are located at IIIO Main street. He is a member of the Dubuque County, Iowa State and American Medical associations, and of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church, the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters, Modern Wood- men of America, Independent Order of Foresters, Mystic Workers and the Woodmen of the World. To his marriage June 26, 1907. in Dubuque, with Miss Anna Cecelia Harrington, two daughters, Mary Virginia Rosanie and Charlotte Cecilia, and one son, George Robert, have been born. Mrs. Rowan is the daughter of Patrick M. and Anna (Morrow ) Harrington, the father being a director of the Iowa State Bank and a pioneer settler of Dubuque.
PROF. PERKINS S. SLOCUM, principal of the Epworth Seminary, comes honestly by his profession, his parents, William S. and Ruth (Perkins ) Slocum, both having had considerable experience in school teaching. He was born in Jones county, Iowa, in 1870, and after attending the public schools in early youth learned telegraphy at which he worked two years, and the succeeding three years was employed in a creamery at Wyoming. Having by this time suf- ficient money with which to complete his education, he entered Epworth Seminary in 1889, from which he was graduated in 1892. Succeeding this he at once entered the Upper Iowa Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church on probation, and was appointed pastor of the Grandview Avenue church of that denomination at Dubuque. While here he decided to better his education and accord- ingly, in 1893, entered Cornell College, from which he was grad- uated with the class of 1896. He then resumed his ministerial labors as pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church, at Clinton, Iowa. After about three years thus spent he became vice president of Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa, but two years later and for two years thereafter took special educational courses at the Boston and Chicago universities. For the next two years he was minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, at Monticello, Iowa. Since that time he has been principal of Epworth Seminary, which, under his management, has sustained the high reputation of learning which it has always enjoyed. Prof. Slocum married Miss Amanda L. Hosford on January 1, 1901, and they have one daughter, Sidonia Ruth.
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ISIDORE J. PLAMONDON, JR., secretary, treasurer and manager of the Dubuque Tanning & Robe Company, with factory and offices at 32-38 S. Main street, was born in this city August 16, 1875, the son of Isidore, Sr., and Emily (Bordeaux) Plamondon. The family originally were natives of France and over 200 years ago two brothers immigrated to North America and located in Canada. Isidore, Sr., was born and reared in Quebec, Canada, and in 1865 came South to the United States. first locating at Benton, Wis- consin, where he met and married Miss Bordeaux. She was a native of that place, and in April, 1884, when but thirty-nine years old, passed away. The elder Plamondon is a carpenter by trade and is at present employed in the Carr, Ryder & Adams sash, door and blind factory. Until thirteen years old Isidore J. Plamondon attended the Dubuque parochial schools, and then for four years worked for the Standard Lumber Company. He then became stock clerk in the James Forester overall factory, and succeeding this served four years as messenger boy, call boy and assistant book- keeper for the Illinois Central railroad. He then took a course in bookkeeping in Bayless Business College, and in April, 1898, went to Montreal, Canada, and for three years was employed by the Dominion Corset Manufacturing Company. About this time he returned to Dubuque and became a solicitor for the Chicago Record- Herald, later serving as carpenter in the frame department of Carr, Ryder & Adams Company. For four years thereafter he was head bookkeeper for the Peaslee Brewing Company, and in May, 1905, went to Denver, Colorado, and accepted a position as special report clerk and solicitor with the Denver Gas & Electric Company. Eight months later he returned to Dubuque, because of his wife's ill health, experimented in the raising of chickens and also accepted a position with the Dubuque Altar Manufacturing Company. In 1906 he began traveling for the H. H. Mehlop Cigar & Tea Company, but eighteen months later purchased an interest in the Dubuque Tan- ning & Robe Company, and has since remained with this concern, acting as secretary, treasurer, manager and a director. Mr. Plamondon is a member of the Knights of Columbus. the Catholic Order of Foresters and St. Columkill's Roman Catholic church. To his marriage with Miss Nellie McQuillan, solemnized in Du- buque, September 16, 1901, six children have been born, as follows : Zita M., born November 18, 1902, attending Visitation Academy ; John J., born September 18, 1904: Adjutor J., born October 5, 1906, died when ten weeks old : Edward J., born October 12, 1907; Charles J., born October 25, 1908, and Eleanor M., born December 14, 1909. The family residence is located at 484 Alta Vista street, Dubuque. Mrs. Plamondon is the daughter of John and Margaret McQuillan, the mother dying May 26, 1903, aged sixty years. Mı. McQuillan is yet living and resides in Dubuque.
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JOHN S. SMEAD, for many years actively and prominently iden- tified with affairs in and around Epworth, was born just across the river from Dubuque in Grant county, Wisconsin, February 14, 1838. His parents, Horace and Cornelia (Farley ) Smead, were natives of Vermont and Tennessee, respectively, and to their marriage, which occurred at Galena, Illinois, thirteen children were born, John S. being the sixth in the family. Horace Smead was a soldier of the War of 1812 and of the Black Hawk war, and was engaged in mining and smelting in Grant county. He was a wheelwright by trade and in 1868 moved from Grant county, Wisconsin, to Dubuque, where he lived eight years. He then bought 240 acres of land near Peosta, to which he moved in 1875, and there passed the remainder of his days, death occurring on December 27, 1876, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was one of the well known and substantial men of his time, a Whig in politics and after the disintegration of the party a Republican. His widow died August 13, 1884, aged seventy-seven years, and both are buried in Linwood cemetery, Dubuque. John S. Smead obtained a liberal education in the public schools, Dubuque Academy, Alexander College, Sinsinawa College and was graduated from Plattville Academy in 1859. He taught school three winters, then read law in the office of Adams & Robinson. Dubuque. In 1872 he married Miss Mary Rider, succeeding which he removed to his father's estate and engaged in farming for twenty years. In 1895 he moved to Epworth, which has since been his home, with the exception of a three years' residence in Iowa City, where he had temporarily made his home to educate his children. Mr. Smead is a Democrat, has served in practically all the offices of the township, has acted as a member of the common council of Epworth and for thirty years has been justice of the peace. He is a member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities and he and wife attend the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Mrs. Smead was born in April, 1851, the youngest of the children of Hubert and Catharine Rider, who were born, reared and married in Luxemburg, Germany, and came to America and settled in Dubuque county, Iowa, at the early period of 1846. Mr. Rider died in 1852, aged forty-two years, and his widow in 1894, aged seventy-seven years. To Mr. and Mrs. Smead four children have been born, as follows: Cornelia B., the wife of E. J. Delaney, of Dubuque, and the mother of three children : Horace H., who married Celia L. Edwards, is the father of one child and resides in Epworth : Helen, who died at the age of sixteen years, and John R., single and a practicing lawyer at Boise, Idaho.
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