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 61
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THOMAS J. CONLIN, president of the Conlin & Kearns Company, dealers in ice and fuel, was born in Washington township, Dubuque county, Iowa, a son of James and Sarah Conlin. James Conlin was a native of Ireland and came to America in 1840, locating for a
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short time in Kentucky and then coming to Dubuque county. He was a farmer by occupation, and an honorable man as was attested by his refusal to accept a pension for service during the Mexican war on the grounds that he had not actually participated in any battles and therefore was not entitled to a pension. On September 6, 1899, he died, aged seventy-seven years, and was followed by his wife on September 16, 1910, aged eighty-six years. They are buried in the cemetery at Cascade. Thomas J. Conlin was primarily educated in the district schools and during this time also assisted his father with the work of the home farm. He completed his schooling with a course in Bayless Business College, which he left in his twentieth year, and succeeding this was for eight years employed by the American Express Company. He then bought a livery stable, which he conducted for nine years, and in 1900 was elected sheriff of Dubuque county, serving as such two years. Fol- lowing this he associated himself with Mr. Kearns in their present ice and fuel business and in 1907, owing to the growth of their business, was forced to incorporate. Aside from these interests Mr. Conlin is a director of the Dubuque Altar Manufacturing Com- pany, is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Columbus, Independent Order of Foresters, Modern Woodmen of America and St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church. On October 24. 1895, in Dubuque, he married Miss Mary Theis, who died July 16, 1898. Mr. Conlin resides at 14 Grove terrace, Dubuque.
JOHN C. KEHOE, one of the foremost farmers and stock-raisers of Dubuque county, was born in Brooklyn, New York, January 14, 1855, the son of Patrick and Ellen (Kelly) Kehoe, natives of Ireland. They came to America in the fifties, first settling at Brooklyn, and were there married. In 1853 they first came West to Dubuque county, and here the father for about two years was foreman in a saw mill, later moving onto and operating a farm in Dodge township owned by his former employer. Shortly after- wards he purchased eighty acres of partly improved land in Dodge township, and this was his home for a period of forty-five years. During this time he prospered and increased his holdings until he had 300 acres in this county and 320 in Floyd county. He was a general farmer and stock-raiser and also dealt extensively in dairy products, having some forty fine milch cows. He was a Democrat in politics and took a keen and active interest in local affairs of importance, and during his long residence liere served as justice of the peace, assessor, trustee and as a member of the school board. He died on the old homestead September 26, 1901, over seventy- seven years of age, and was followed by his wife two years later, aged seventy-five years. They were among the early settlers in this part of the country and with their passing Dubuque county lost two
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true and loyal citizens. Ten children were born to them, of whom John C., our subject, was the eldest. He received his education in the public schools and remained with his parents on the home place until twenty-six years old. For a time he then farmed on rented land, after which learned the blacksmith trade at Farley and con- tinued that business for about twenty years. He then moved onto the place where he now resides, having purchased it some time previously, made various improvements in the way of barns, shed, outhouses, etc., and in 1908 erected his fine, modern, ten-room house, which is furnace heated and thoroughly up-to-date. Since taking possession of this property he has cleared the land of nearly all standing timber, lias fenced in and divided same by strong barbed wire, and is thus enabled to carry on stock-raising on a large and profitable scale. He specializes in the raising of Aber- deen Angus cattle and Poland China and Duroc Jersey hogs, for which Dubuque county is noted. Mr. Kehoe is also interested in various business and residence properties in Farley, and shortly after building his own home erected also one for his son, modern and up-to-date in every respect. As a Democrat in politics he has taken an active interest in local civic affairs, being for four and one-half years mayor of Farley, a member of the city council thirteen years, chief of the fire department about six years, a member of the school board three years and also of the county central committee seven years, and is at present serving as constable. Socially he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Catholic Order of Foresters, being for the last seven years chief ranger of the latter organization, and Knight of Columbus. In religious views he is an adherent of the Roman Catholic faith and is a member and trustee of St. Joseph's parish at Farley. On October 25, 1881, Mr. Kehoe was united in marriage with Miss Mary Locher, daughter of John J. and Mary (Nigg) Locher, who were born and married in Switzerland. They came to America in 1861, locating at Dubuque, and there for six years engaged in the furniture business. They then moved onto a farm of eighty acres near Monticello which they farmed for about ten years, but then sold same and retired from the active duties of life into the city of Monticello. There the father died in 1885, at the age of sixty- five, and the mother in 1890, also aged sixty-five. Although always active in public affairs, the father never aspired to hold office. To them were born five children, of whom Mrs. Kehoe was the third, her birth occurring April 9, 1855. To Mr. and Mrs. Kehoe the following named three children have been born : Frances, wife of John Clement, formerly of Farley and now of Savannah, Illinois ; John Patrick, married Miss Gertrude Morgan, of this county, now residing in Farley, the parents of one child, and Joseph WV., married Miss Rose Schwendinger, residing in this county.
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The Kehoe family are among the first in the locality where they reside and are highly respected by all who know them.
EMIL KIENE, proprietor of the Dubuque Rubber & Belting Com- pany, with offices and warehouse at 422 Main street, Dubuque, was. born in this city October 12, 1869, the son of Peter Kiene, Sr., appropriate mention of whom is made elsewhere in this publica- tion. He received his scholastic training in the local ward and high schools, leaving the latter in his seventeenth year. He then entered the concern of which he is now head, which was founded by his father and brother Paul, and thoroughly mastered the details of the rubber and belting business. In 1900 he bought out all interests in the company and has since conducted it alone. Aside from this he is interested in various other local enterprises. He is a member of the Dubuque Club and the Masonic fraternity, in which order he has attained the rank of Knight Templar. To his marriage with Miss Allye K. Knight, solenmized in Dubuque March 22, 1897, two daughters and two sons have been born, named Mabel A., Watkins K., Martha A. and George, all attending Fulton school in Dubuque. Mrs. Kiene is the daughter of the late W. J. and Mary Knight, the father at that time being district attorney for the Illinois Central Railroad Company. He died in February, 1908, preceded by his wife in 1888, and both are buried in Key West cemetery. Mr. Kiene and family reside at 73 Broad- way, the home in which he was born.
ARTHUR D. SCHIEK, of the Dubuque Advertising Company. with offices in the Bank and Insurance building, Dubuque, is a native of Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and the son of Peter W. and Mary A. (Daniels) Schiek, who were of German and Scotch descent, respectively. The paternal grandfather came to America in 1820, and the mother's people have been residents of this country for many generations. Peter W. Schiek served the Union cause during the struggle between the North and South and was honor- ably discharged at the conclusion of the war with the rank of corporal in the One Hundred and Sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania. Volunteers, Company D, which regiment under Generals Hancock, Howard, Sedgwick and others participated in most of the famous battles of the war, among them, 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fred- ericksburg, first and second Spottsylvania, Gettysburg and Appo- mattox. Arthur Daniels, a brother of Mrs. Schiek, also partici- pated in the Civil war as a northern soldier, acting as secretary and aide de camp to General Sibley during the Indian uprising in Minnesota and Dakota and afterwards was sent south to Memphis, Tennessee, where he died from the fever. Arthur D. Schiek was educated in the public schools of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and in his nineteenth year graduated from high school there. Shortly
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thereanter he entered the Pillsbury Flour Mills, serving a three and a half years' apprenticeship to the miller's trade, and then removed to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, as a representative for the International Correspondence Schools of Scranton, Pennsylvania, remaining in that territory about a year. He was then transferred to Dubuque, Iowa, where he continued his connection with the above named concern some two and a half years. In 1903 he established himself in the advertising business, with offices in the Bank and Insurance building, and has since been thus successfully engaged. On June 28, 1899, in Minneapolis, Mr. Schiek was united in marriage with Miss Ora B. Harter, daughter of H. D. and Marietta Harter. Her father was a decorative painter for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road and was accidentally killed on August 24, 1908, in a train collision. Mrs. Harter is yet living and resides in Minneapolis. To Mr. and Mrs. Schiek two daughters have been born, as follows : Dorothy M., September 7, 1903, attending Lincoln School, and Josephine M., born June 28, 1907. The family are communicants of the First Congregational church.
JAMES E. REDDING, born May 10, 1866, in Somersetshire, Eng- land, and now living in Farley, Dubuque county, Iowa, is the son of John and Sarah (Toomer) Redding. When six years of age his father died and three years later he was compelled to go to work to earn a livelihood. Upon attaining his majority he came to the United States, and the same year as his arrival (1887) located at Dyersville, Iowa, and for a time worked at various employments. In 1892 he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Maria Walter, who was born September 29, 1866, the daughter of Joseph Walter, one of the well-known men of Dubuque county, whose biographical sketch is given elsewhere in this work. Suc- ceeding his marriage Mr. Redding farmed for eleven years on rented land, belonging to Mr. Walter, then purchased eight acres within the corporate limits of Farley. Four years later he ex- changed this property as party payment on a tract of 480 acres in Brown county, South Dakota, which he sold in 1910. Mr. Red- ding is one of the progressive and enterprising men of Dubuque county. He is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are mem- bers of the Episcopal church. To them have been born the follow- ing named children: Albert J., Frederick J., Myrtle Florence and Frank Leroy. John B. Walter is a brother of Anna M. Redding.
DR. E. LINCOLN CLARKE, who died in Dubuque on October 7, 1903, was a man of more than ordinary learning, intelligence and prominence. Born at Conway, Franklin county, Massachusetts, November 2, 1822, he was a son of Eben and Sally (Griffith) Clarke, who died when he was but a small lad. His early life was passed on a farm. Possessing natural mechanical qualifications,
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he learned the jewelry trade of a Mr. Cook, but abandoned this to take up the study of dentistry and medicine under the tutelage of Dr. Walker, an old-school, old-time physician. He practiced den- tistry at Westfield and Springfield, Massachusetts, but in 1861 came to Dubuque, Iowa, first being associated in partnership with Dr. J. L. Porter, then with his brother Rodolphus, and finally with his son, Dr. Frank B. Clarke, who survives him in the practice here. He was twice married, first in 1845, to Emily Canfield, who died in 1863, and second, in 1865, to Sarah Walker, sister of M. M. Walker, and yet living. While in the East, Dr. Clarke formed the acquaintance of the noted author, John G. Holland, which ripened into a warm friendship. Together they took up the study of mes- merism, then in its early stages, for scientific purposes, and in which Dr. Clarke became wonderfully proficient. As this was at a time when chloroform and ether were but little used by surgeons to produce anæsthesia, he performed many minor operations after having subjected the patients to hypnotic influence. In his later years, owing to the extreme nervous strain of practicing hypnotism, he gave up that custom. In connection with Mr. Holland he also went into the old daguerreotype business, not as a means of livelihood, but for scientific purposes, when it was first brought to the attention of the public. When young, he contracted tubercu- losis, the scourge of New England, which progressed so rapidly that his life was despaired of by physicians. He treated his ailment himself on hydropathic principles and with a specially devised breathing tube, and in this way attained sound health and lived to the ripe old age of eighty-one years. This remarkable discovery and recovery attracted wide attention, and he was urged by his old friend, Dr. Holland, Dr. Graham (of graham bread fame), and others to specialize his practice on consumption and to lecture on the cure of that dread disease. He declined to do so, however, owing to the fact that nurses and physicians generally were insistently opposed to such a new innovation in the accepted theory of practice. As a dentist he not only attained renown, but had many students under his direction. Three of his pupils at the same time were presidents of the dental societies of Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri. Three brothers of Dr. Clarke, Asa and Albert, of Independence, and Rodolphus, preceded him to Iowa. Asa made the trip to California in 1849, and so entertainingly wrote of his journey that these let- ters are valued as family keepsakes by his descendants. Half a century later Dr. Clarke also made this trip to the Pacific and his letters are prized by his relatives as a supplement to those of his brother. Dr. Clarke possessed great nervous energy, vitality and endurance. He was of medium size, spare, alert, and was always abreast of the times. He was a great lover of home, nature, flowers and animals, and was one of the first to introduce Jersey cattle in this locality. His scientific studies and his habits of life filled his mind
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with the great truths of Christianity, and for many decades he was a member and a deacon of the First Congregational church. His mind was unclouded up to the time of his death, and he was fond of recalling the events of his early days. In politics he was a Republican in principle and an ardent supporter of Senator Alli- son from the time the latter entered poliitcs. His widow and chil- dren are all living, the latter being: Hattie A. and Mrs. Emma Hanna, of Chicago; Dr. Albert L., of Brooklyn; Dr. Frank B., Mrs. Nellie Lieben, Jessie A., and Fred M., of Dubuque.
SAMUEL L. STRIEF, one of Dubuque county's most progressive and up-to-date farmers, was born in this locality November 19, 1863, son of Peter and Fredericka (Strief) Strief, both of whom were natives of Switzerland. They came to America in 1854, and for seven years the father was engaged at various occupations in different parts of the country. In 1861, however, they came to Dubuque county, settled on a tract of land in Taylor township, and followed farming and stock-raising until their respective deaths. The father was a Republican in politics, and, although always taking an active interest in public affairs, he never was an office-seeker. He passed away in 1903, at the age of seventy-two years, being preceded by his wife January 5, 1892, aged fifty-eight years. Both now lie at rest in Farley cemetery. Their son, Samuel L. Strief, the immediate subject of this memoir, attended the public schools dur- ing boyhood and remained with his parents until twenty-one years old. For three years he rented 160 acres of his father and then purchased same and continued to farm it two years longer. He rented his farm for one year and then sold it, also disposing of forty acres which he had improved just west of Farley, after which he removed to the Sioux valley, South Dakota, and farmed 320 acres which he had purchased there. After seven years spent there, he disposed of his property and rented land one year near Coffey- ville, in Montgomery county, Kansas, after which he went west and resided about nine months in the State of Washington. He then spent four months at Sioux City, Iowa, after which he re- turned to Dubuque county, purchased 140 acres in section 7, Tay- lor township, and has remained here ever since.
Mr. Strief has improved his land, fenced it in, and erected various outhouses, and in 1904 built his present fine, modern, brick resi- dence. He bears the reputation of having one of the finest of the modern farms in the entire county, and also owns several other larger tracts in Iowa township, which he improved. He is well known as a breeder of fine Herefordshire cattle, Duroc-Jersey hogs and Norman and Clyde horses, and also engages extensively in dairying. He has thirty-two fine milch cows and a separator on each farm, separating his own milk and cream, and sends the cream to the Co-operative Creamery at Farley, of which concern he is a
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stockholder. He is also a stockholder in the Farley State Bank. Mr. Strief is a Republican in his political views, but, like his father before him, has never aspired to hold office. In 1886 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Durst, the second of a family of four- teen children born to Gabriel and Christina (Hosli) Durst, who were both natives of Switzerland. Her parents immigrated to America in the spring of 1870, settling in Tennessee, and in 1875 came to Dubuque county. In 1893 they removed to Blackhawk county, Iowa, where they resided five years, and then went to Coffeyville, Kansas, where they passed away, the mother in 1899, aged fifty- five, and the father in 1907, aged sixty-three. Both are buried at that place.
To Mr. and Mrs. Strief twelve children have been born, named as follows: Peter, unmarried, operating one of his father's farms in Iowa township; Emma, wife of Christopher Bartmann, of Du- buque county ; Ida; Laura; Rosa; Glenn; Mabel; Bert, who died in infancy, aged twenty months; Lawrence, who died at the age of six; Samuel; Robert; and Mary. Mr. Strief is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and he and family are com- municants of the Presbyterian church at Farley. They are highly respected in the community where they reside.
MARSHALL M. WALKER was one of the noteworthy characters of Dubuque half a century ago. He was a native of Dummerston, Windham county, Vermont, born on a farm in 1832, a son of Reuben Walker. When eighteen years old he went to Boston, but in the early fifties came west and operated a sailing barge on the river north of Dubuque, transporting and trading. His father and brothers, Horatio and Chester H., and sisters, Mrs. Lucretia Mar- tin, Mrs. Julia Taft and Mrs. E. L. Clarke, came to Dubuque sub- sequently, and all became well known throughout this locality. Mr. Walker was of striking personality, over six feet tall, broad in pro- portion, genial, easily approached, optimistic and enthusiastic, sym- pathetic, a staunch friend of the deserving regardless of politics, religion, wealth or official position, a liberal contributor to all deserving projects, a profound student of men, and a great lover of home and country. Such is the pen picture of Marshall M. Walker. In 1860 he organized the M. M. Walker Company, pio- neers in the oil, produce, grain and fruit business, operating as far west as Sioux City, and north into Minnesota, and of this Mr. Walker was president. His activities, however, were not confined to this line of endeavor. For years and until his death he was a director of the First National Bank, and in a like manner was con- nected with the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad. He served as president of the Dubuque Board of Trade, and as an official of the Young Men's Library Association, which has since become the Carnegie-Stout Library. In politics he was a Republican, was active
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in the ranks of his party, served as alderman from the Fourth ward, and a number of years ago was part owner of the Dubuque Times. To itemize his connection with the various commercial, industrial and social affairs of the city would alone fill a volume. It can be briefly stated that he was the original operator of the Dubuque Tank Line, handling light oils, which was later sold to the Standard Oil Com- pany ; a member of the Dubuque Jobbers' and Manufacturers' Union, of which he was vice-president in 1901; operated the Key City Barrel Factory in the days of heavy pork packing; for years was the ruling factor of the feed and flour mill, occupying the present site of Armour & Company; was one of the organizers, vice-president and a director of the Western Fruit Jobbers' Asso- ciation ; a member of the National Credit Men's Association, and a member of the advisory committee of the National Business League; was one of the organizers and vice-president of the first Upper Mississippi River Improvement Association; was one of the promoters and officials of the Dubuque & Northwestern Railroad, now the Chicago & Great Western; an honorary member of the Dubuque Traveling Business Men's Association; a member and one of the founders of the Dubuque Club; an active promoter of the old Dubuque county fairs and encampments, so successful in past years ; for years an official and director of the Linwood Ceme- tery Association ; a trustee, supporter and tenor singer in the choir of the First Congregational church from its inception. It is thus shown that Mr. Walker was one of the most active men ever in Dubuque. In 1858 he married Cornelia Fairbanks, of Worcester, Massachusetts, daughter of Josiah E. Fairbanks, who moved to Dubuque about the time of his daughter's marriage, and died at the advanced age of ninety-five years. Mrs. Walker was a bril- liant woman of striking appearance and carriage; of great vivacity and energy; a leader in social and church circles, and a charming entertainer in her beautiful home on Grove Terrace. They had no children. Both Mr. Walker and wife were so well preserved and full of energy and interest in the affairs of the day that when they died, Mr. Walker in 1904, and Mrs. Walker in 1908, at very advanced ages, they seemed to be stricken prematurely, and their many friends and the entire community felt their loss with a keen sense that their places might never be filled.
JOHN A. PITMAN, engaged in the retail furniture business in Farley, is of English parentage. Samuel Pitman, his father, was a native of Somersetshire, as was also his mother, whose maiden name was Eleanor Wilkins. They each came to the United States when young, were married at Buffalo, New York, and the spring of 1852 came from Freeport, Illinois, to Dubuque, Iowa, the former place then being the terminus of the Illinois Central Railroad. They had arranged for a friend at Dubuque to meet them with a con-
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veyance, expecting to go with him to their new home in Dodge township, where Mr. Pitman had entered eighty acres of govern- ment land. They were disappointed in the appointment, however, and therefore walked the remainder of the distance-twenty-five miles. The courage and fortitude thus displayed is typical of the character of the early settlers of Dubuque county. Mr. Pitman was a farmer by occupation and followed that vocation throughout life. He died in 1881, preceded by his wife in 1864, both when comparatively young in years, and are buried in Johns Creek ceme- tery in Cascade township. John A. Pitman, the subject of this sketch, was born in Dubuque county, March 12, 1853, the eldest of four children. He was educated in the public schools and at Bayless Business College, Dubuque, and resided with his parents until twenty-four years old. He inherited 100 acres of fine farm land from his father, bought an additional 220 acres adjoining and on this resided and engaged in agricultural pursuits and the raising of Percheron horses, short-horned Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs until he was forty-four years of age. In 1897 he leased his farm for a term of years, and, moving into Farley, has since made this place his home. Mr. Pitman is a Republican and has served in the town council and is the present president of the town board. He is a member of Iowa Lodge, No. 324, I. O. O. F., of Epworth, and Catalpa Camp, No. 179, M. W. of A., at Farley. March 12, 1889, he married Miss Cora Heald, daughter of A. K. and Juliette (Heath) Heald, who was born in October, 1865, and died January 5, 1898, without issue. On May 15, 1901, Mr. Pitman married Miss Edith J. Wall, who was born in November, 1875, the fifth in a fam- ily of twelve born to Arthur and Mary (Wall) Wall. They have one daughter, Florence Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Pitman are Episco- palians in religion, but owing to the infrequency of the services of their church, they attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
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