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 64
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Catherina Johanning. Her father died in Germany, and the mother, buried in St. Boniface Cemetery, passed away in April, 1909, at the age of seventy-three years. To Mr. and Mrs. Ovel have been born the following named children: Mary C., residing at home; Johan Gerhard, farming in Bremer township. Delaware county, Iowa: Johanna, married William Vaska, farming near Dyersville; Christina Josephine, the wife of Andrew Recker, farming the old Ovel homestead; Amelia Francisca, residing with Mrs. Recker; George, attending parochial schools; and Leonada, also in school. Mr. Ovel has always taken an active interest in any movement that tends toward the growth and development of his county, and is highly respected by all who know him.
WALTER G. Cox, of the Myers, Cox & Co. tobacco manufactur- ing concern, is one of the oldest of Dubuque's active and successful business men. He was born here on March 28, 1847, the son of Richard and Elizabeth Cox, at a time when Dubuque was little more than an Indian trading post and Indians were to be found in far greater numbers than whites. Mr. Cox remembers Dubuque as an old Indian trail and has seen as many as 1,500 half civilized mem- bers of that race in a single gathering. The average man of the present business generation has no conception of the strange sights that met the eye of an early pioneer like Mr. Cox. He attended the public schools until sixteen years old, and then for three years was a clerk for Stuart & Emerson, pioneer tobacco merchants. Succeed- ing this he went to Dunleith, now East Dubuque, Illinois, and engaged in the buying and selling of grain up to 1869. The follow- ing ycar, in partnership with Mr. D. D. Myers, he embarked in the manufacture of tobacco, and this association has continued very stic- cessfully down to the present time and has become one of the solid and substantial commercial institutions of the county. Mr. Cox is also a director of the High Bridge Company and is interested as a stockholder in various other enterprises. He is a Democrat in National political affairs, but in local matters is independent, voting for the best man regardless of party affiliation. Socially he has long been a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and in religious views is a member of the Episcopal church. On September 19, 1872, in Dubuque, he was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Myers, and to them the following named five daughters have been born; Maud, who married Clark J. Boynton and resides in Kansas City, Missouri; Mabel; Elizabeth, the wife of R. C. Holmes, of Newburgh, New York; Ethel, a graduate of the Dubuque High school residing at home; and Louise, the wife of C. D. Connolly, of Kansas City. Mr. Cox is one of Dubuque's best and oldest citizens and is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. He and family reside at 152 Fenelon Place.
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BERNARD A. NABOR, cashier of the Luxemburg Savings Bank at Luxemburg, Dubuque county, Iowa, was born at Guttenburg, Iowa, June 26, 1871, and is the son of Frank and Elizabeth Nabor. The father, a native of the Prussian Province of Westphalia, Germany, immigrated to America in 1868, and located at Guttenburg, Iowa, until the fall of 1872. He then removed with his family to New Vienna, this county, and with his brother, John Nabor, embarked in the manufacture of wagons and also operated a blacksmith shop. In 1882 he disposed of his interests and in partnership with Jacob Kerper of Dubuque embarked in the creamery business, which at that time was a comparatively new undertaking in Dubuque county. This business was continued very successfully until 1892, when, because of ill health, Mr. Nabor retired from all active participa- tion in business affairs. He died August 24, 1909, after a long and honorable life, preceded by his wife on October 16, 1876, aged twenty-eight years, and both are buried in St. Boniface Cemetery at New Vienna. Until fourteen years old Bernard A. Nabor attended the parochial school at New Vienna, then was employed in his father's creamery and also drove a cream route for five years In 1890 he went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and there for three years attended St. Francis Normal school. Succeeding this he went to South Dakota and until 1905 taught in the district schools. He then returned to New Vienna and served as a rural mail carrier until the organization of the Luxemburg Savings Bank, of which he was elected cashier. He has since retained this position and is also a stockholder in the institution. He is a Democrat in politics. a Catholic in religion, and a member of the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Association of the state of Iowa. On June 2, 1903, at New Vienna, Mr. Nabor was united in marriage with Miss Anna M. Burlage, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Burlage, pioneers of this locality, and to them five children have been born, as follows : Hilarius, born May 13. 1904: Elizabeth Dorothea, September 22, 1905: Bernard L., November 16, 1906; Dolorus M., October 2, 1908: and Alvina Louisa, April 24, 1910. Mr. Nabor is the owner of 320 acres of fine farm land, and is regarded as one of the repre- sentative men of the community.
BENJAMIN F. STEDMAN, superintendent of the City Waterworks. and bookkeeper since May. 1907, with offices in the city ball, was born in Lake county. Illinois, in November, 1845, the son of Benja- min F. and Hannah Stedman. The father, a farmer by occupation. was a native of Massachusetts, but in 1842 came West to Lake county, Illinois, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was a strong and prominent Republican in politics, and died in 1880 at the age of sixty-eight years, followed by his wife in 1884, when sixty-five years old ; both are buried in the cemetery at Millburn. Benjamin F. Stedman received his early education in the public
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schools of his native county, then attended the Waukegan High school, and later a commercial college in St. Louis, Missouri. Foi about six years thereafter he followed bookkeeping in Edwardsville and Chicago, Illinois, and then for a period of twenty-seven years traveled as a commercial salesman. He came to Dubuque in 1887, five years before he relinquished his road work. He then accepted a position as bookkeeper with the Ryan Packing Company, remain- ing until the plant burned down six years later, and then traveled for Parlin & Orendorff, of Canton, Illinois, and in other lines. This he continued until Jacob Haudenshield was appointed county auditor for Dubuque county, at which time Mr. Stedman was appointed deputy auditor and continued as such from 1905 to 1907. In May of the latter year he was appointed superintendent and bookkeeper of the city water works by the board of trustees, and this position he has since held. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Masonic fraternity. On February 24, 1869, at Millburn, Lake county, Illinois, he was united in marriage with Miss Bessie Lewin, and two daughters have been born to them, named, Cora, who mar- ried Charles P. Skemp, a contractor of Woodward, Oklahoma, and Bessie, chief operator for the Cedar Rapids & Marion Telephone Company. Mrs. Stedman was the daughter of Henry and Jane Lewin, who came from Oxfordshire, England, to this country in or about 1851 ; both died in Lake county, Illinois, at the respective ages of 78 and 70 years. Mr. and Mrs. Stedman and family reside at 1610 Rhomberg avenue.
HENRY EVERS, engaged in general farming and stock raising, was born in Dubuque county and is a son of Gerhard and Maria ( Bruns) Evers. The parents were natives of Germany and came to America and Dubuque county. Iowa, at a very early date. They were poor but possessed the sturdy thrift characteristic of the German people and eventually honorably settled debts incurred during their early life in this country, and accumulated a competency. When they arrived here Dyersville had not yet been founded. New Vienna was scarcely more than a few log cabins clustered together, and their farm was rough and unbroken. Dubuque was their nearest market place. They set to work with a will, clearing and improving, and when Mr. Evers died on August 7, 1888, he was the owner of 148 acres of fine, improved farm land. His wife survived him until February 19, 1901, and both are now buried at New Vienna. Henry Evers was born on the old home farm near New Vienna on Sep- tember 15, 1855, and during boyhood days assisted his father and attended the public schools. He has always followed farming and is at present operating the old home tract. He also owns 170 acres, of which but seventeen are in Dubuque county, but this he rents. Mr. Evers is a Democrat in his political views, is a director of the board of education and a member of the Catholic church. He is also a
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director of the Golden Star Cooperative Creamery at Dyersville. February 19, 1878, he was married at New Vienna to Miss Eliza- beth Luehrsman, a sister of Dr. Luehrsman, and to them these chil- dren have been born: Rose, who died in infancy ; Mary, wife of Joseph Gloden, merchant at Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Annie, married John Freyman, lumber dealer, at Dyersville; Herman, farming in Dubuque county ; Katie, married Harry Westmann; Bernhard, assisting his father : Josephine, at home ; Lilly, also at home ; Henry, student at St. Francis Academy, Dyersville ; and Edward, attending school.
JOHN B. HELES, engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery at 2114 Couler avenue, Dubuque, Iowa, since 1903, was born in the village of Worthington of this county, June 25, 1874, the son of John and Paulina Heles. After attending the public schools, John B. Heles entered and in 1895 was graduated from St. Jolin's University, of Minnesota. He then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at St. Louis, Missouri, and in 1899 was granted the degree of Doctor of Medicine from that institution. Immediately after his graduation, he was appointed interne to the Jefferson Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, a dispensary of the college. After serving as interne for one year lie was appointed assistant superintendent for the same institution. During this time he also held the chair of Experimental and Imperative Surgery and was one of the physicians to the free dispensary of the college. Owing to other business interests in his home state and a desire to practice medicine there, he resigned his positions at the college and hospital in 1902, and in 1903 he located in Dubuque and has here been actively engaged in the general practice of his profession. Dr. Heles is a member of the Dubuque county, Iowa State and American Med- ical Associations. On January II, 1910, at Chicago, he was united in marriage with Miss Clara Tschudi, daughter of Frederick and Lillian Tschudi of Dubuque.
JOSEPH SCHEMMEL, for many years one of the foremost men in the western portion of Dubuque county, was a native of Munster, Province of Westphalia, Germany. He came to America in 1842 and for six years, in partnership with his three brothers, Henry, Anton and Christopher, operated a woolen mill at Hamilton, Ohio. In 1848 he came to Dubuque county, and with his brothers engaged in flour and woolen goods manufacturing. Here he was joined in wedlock with Miss Elisabeth Vente, a native of Oldenburg, Ger- many. To them were born ten children, three daughters and seven sons. Subsequently the flour mill burned, but the woolen mill con- tinued to be operated many years and was a notable institution in the western part of the county. Joseph Schemmel was well known for his activity, his upright life, and the prominence he attained in
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local affairs. He conducted the postoffice at New Vienna for a number of years, served as a member of the board of supervisors, also as township assessor and as a justice of the peace. He died in 1898, at the age of seventy-one years, and his wife in 1907, aged seventy-one years. Both are buried at New Vienna.
William Schemmel, son of Joseph Schemmel, whose biography immediately precedes this, was born at New Vienna, New Wine Township, Dubuque county, on January 16, 1858. He was here brought up to manhood, educated in the public schools, worked in his father's mills and at various other occupations, and for the most part has always resided in the county of his nativity. For a num- ber of years past he has lived in Dyersville, where he is at present engaged in business. On May 5, 1891, Mr. Schemmel married Miss Margaret Fromm, daughter of the old settler, Dr. L. Fromm, and to this mariage have been born five children, as follows: George, manager of a coal mine at Red Lodge, Montana; Alvina, a graduate of St. Francis Academy for Teachers; Alfred, a graduate of the Brothers of Mary College, of Dyersville, and Atala and Martha, the last two named being students at St. Francis Academy. In addition to his business premises and residence in Dyersville, Mr. Schem- mel is the owner of a well improved farm of 160 acres. He is a Democrat and one of the enterprising men of Dyersville.
Dr. Lawrence Fromm ( father of Mrs. Wm. Schemmel), a prominent physician and surgeon of Dubuque county, was born in Prussia, Germany, in the year 1826. He came to America in 1856, settling at Jamestown, Wisconsin, where he practiced for twelve years. Here he married a practical nurse, Miss Margaret Gaebel, also a native of Prussia, Germany. To this union were born four- teen children, seven daughters and seven sons. They then journeyed to Dyersville, Iowa, where they resided up to the time of their deaths. Dr. Fromm was known far and wide, for not only his practice but also his honesty and intelligence. His wife preceded him to the grave on July 26, 1894, at the age of sixty-one, he dying on October 20, 1903, at the age of seventy-six years. Both are buried at Dyersville, Iowa.
JAMES LEVI, president of the James Levi & Company department store, one of Dubuque's solid and substantial business houses, was born near the village of Saar Union, Province of Alsace (Elsass). Germany, March 24, 1841. His parents, Solomon H. and Minette Levi, both natives of that country, brought our subject to America and Dubuque at an early date and here he was educated in the Third Ward (now Prescott) School. Upon the completion of his educa- tion Mr. Levi entered the dry goods store of C. W. Arthur and here remained for a period of two years. He attended strictly to business and carefully mastered the details of the dry goods line. The succeeding three years he acted as salesman for his uncle,
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Alexander Levi, and in 1862 embarked in the dry goods business on his own account at the corner of Eighth and Main streets. Later he changed his location and organized the firm of James Levi & Company which, under his able management, has become one of the largest and best of its kind in the city. The concern occupies five spacious floors and has a separate basement of large dimensions for storerooms. Mr. Levi is a Republican in his political views and is recognized as one of the progressive and successful business men of the county.
JAMES M. WALSH, principal of the Irving School, Dubuque, Iowa, was born a subject of the British Crown, his birth occurring in Lancashire, and was reared and educated in his native country. He came to the United States in the early seventies and for a time taught in the rural schools of Dubuque county, Iowa. About five years later he was appointed principal of one of the local institu- tions, and has been thus engaged ever since, being at present prin- cipal of the Irving School. Mr. Walsh was united in marriage with Miss Betsey Jane Leaver, and to them nine children have been born, two deceased and seven yet living. Those living are: Joseph L., painter and decorator, married and residing in Dubuque; Emma, making her home with her parents; Daniel W., married, the father of one child, a fresco painter by occupation and residing in Chicago, Illinois; Ford Cooper, married, a physician and surgeon residing and practicing his profession in Chicago; Sydney H., unmarried, real estate dealer, residing in Dubuque ; Harriet M., at home; and William Thomas, single, and living in Chicago. William Thomas Walsh is an associate-editor of the Technical World, a well known magazine, and is also the author of the "Mirage of the Many," pub- lished by Henry Holt & Company, of New York, which has re- ceived favorable criticism from many prominent authors and book- men and which has had a very successful sale. James M. Walsh is independent in his political affiliation, voting for the man rather than the party, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He and family attend the Congregational Church, Dubuque, and reside at 560 Julien Avenue.
MILTON F. WILLNER was born at Burlington, Iowa, November 3. 1874, and is the youngest of seven children born to the marriage of Bernard Willner and Pauline Blahd, both of whom were natives of Germany. The parents came to America when young, and were married at Cleveland, Ohio. When our subject was four years old his father died; his mother is yet living and resides at Burlington, Iowa, aged seventy-eight years. Milton F. Willner was educated in the public schools of his native city and at Elliott's Business Col- lege. When fifteen years old he began clerking at Cedar Rapids in a clothing store, which was one of a chain of stores owned and oper-
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ated by Stern & Willner, the junior member of the firm being his brother. After seven years thus employed he was sent to take charge of the concern's branch at Freeport, Illinois, and thus con- tinued three years. Stern & Willner dissolved partnership in 1892, and Willner Brothers continued the business at Freeport. Mr. Willner became a member of this firm in 1896, and three years later came to Dubuque as resident manager of the store at this place, the business being established here in 1889. He has since been located in Dubuque and under his management the local concern has be- come one of the leading establishments of its kind in the city. The firm is composed of three brothers: Louis J., Otto F. and Milton F. The latter, since making his home in Dubuque, has become actively identified with the commercial welfare of the city. He is a member of the Dubuque Club, the Dubuque Motor Boat Club, the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks and is independent in his political affiliation.
CHARLES VAN HORN, deceased, was the only child born to the marriage of John Van Horn and Mary Van Winkle, who were natives of New Jersey, and, as indicated by the name, of Holland descent. Charles Van Horn was born July 27, 1857, and died March 13, 1906, at Dubuque, Iowa, when in the prime of life. In youth he received a good, practical education, and by trade was a blacksmith. For some considerable time he was engaged in the buying, selling and repairing of bicycles, but the last eight years of his life was employed as a traveling salesman. He was a man of excellent judgment, moral and upright in life, a loving husband and father and commanded the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the sad rites of his burial being conducted by this organization. In 1883, at Downers Grove, Illinois, he married Miss Adel Cole, who was born February 22, 1863, the third in a family of seven chil- dren born to David and Susan (Nash) Cole, who were natives of New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Cole moved to Illinois about the year 1860, and from which state Mr. Cole enlisted and served two years for the suppression of the rebellion. He died in August, 1893, at the age of sixty-six years, but his widow survives him and resides in Illinois. The following named five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn: Roy, who attended the public schools and for three years the high school at Dubuque, the Bayless Busi- ness College, married, and is now a ranchman at Port Angeles, Washington ; Clara, who was educated in the Dubuque schools, then learned dressmaking and is successfully following that occupation at the present time and is living at home; Helen, a graduate of the Dubuque High School in the class of 1905, and now a teacher in the public schools of this city; Mabel, educated in the Dubuque schools
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and with special courses in the normal schools at Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Plattville, Wisconsin, and is now a school teacher at Hazel Green, Wisconsin; and Elmer, who, like his brother, attended the public and high schools of Dubuque and the Bayless Business Col- lege, and now resides in Seattle, Washington. Mrs. Van Horn is a member of the Shiloh Circle, and of the Eastern Star, the ladies' auxiliary order of the Masonic fraternity, and the Congregational Church, as is also each member of the family.
J. J. LINEHAN was born June 24, 1842, in Ireland. When a lad eight years old his parents immigrated to the United States and settled in Dubuque, Iowa. Here J. J. Linehan grew to manhood, attending the public and parochial schools and working at any hon- orable employment that presented itself. He became a contractor and followed that occupation a number of years; subsequently, in January, 1876, he purchased a half interest in the Dubuque Street Railway Company and acted as superintendent until his death in 1888. He was active in civic affairs and served in the official po- sition of city alderman, two terms as mayor, and a member of the Iowa State Legislature for several terms. In May, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret O'Hare, daughter of Ed- ward O'Hare, one of the early settlers of Dubuque county, and the names of the six children born to them who grew to years of ma- turity are Edward, John, Mary M., Charles M., James and Clara.
Dr. Charles M. Linehan, one of the foregoing named children, and the present city health physician, was born in Dubuque, No- vember 4, 1876. Until twelve years of age he attended the paro- chial schools of this city, then entered the Christian Brothers' Col- lege at St. Louis, where, in addition to completing the academical and collegiate courses of that institution and receiving the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, he achieved distinction as one of the foremost athletes of the school. Succeeding this, he en- tered the Medical Department of the University of Michigan, but subsequently completed his medical training at Rush Medical Col- lege, Chicago, from which institute he was graduated June 21, 1901. Through successful competitive examination he was then appointed interne at St. Elizabeth Hospital, and served as such two years. He then returned to Dubuque, where he has since been engaged in the active and successful practice of his profession. Dr. Linehan is a member of the Dubuque County Medical Society, the Jo Daviess (Illinois) County Medical Society and the American Medical Asso- ciation. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Dubuque Club, the Golf Club, the Dubuque Gun Club and a number of fraternal and insurance organizations of which, in many instances, he is medical examiner. He is a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church.
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NICHOLAS J. SCHRUP, since 1883 secretary and general manager of the Dubuque Fire & Marine Insurance Company, is a member of one of the old pioneer German families of the county. John Schrup, his father, was a native of Luxemburg, Germany, and there married Maria Palen. In 1852 they immigrated to the United States, and, coming to Dubuque county, Iowa, located on a tract of land in Mosalem Township and engaged in farming after the prim- itive manner of the time. In the old country they were reared to habits of industry, honesty and sobriety, and these exemplary char- acteristics they carried with them to their new home in America. They participated in the hardships of the transitory period from pioneer times and commanded the respect and esteem of all with whom they came in contact. Here Mr. Schrup died February 21, 1868, when fifty-eight years old, and Mrs. Schrup on August 10. 1897, aged seventy-six years. They were devout members of the Catholic church and reared their children in the same religious faith.
Nicholas J. Schrup was born on the home farm in Dubuque county, August 23, 1853. His education was acquired in the dis- trict and city schools and at the Wisconsin Normal School, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1870. For a time thereafter he followed the profession of school teaching and was stationed in this work at Mattoon, Illinois, and Cascade, Iowa. He became deputy auditor of Dubuque county in 1880, a position he relinquished in 1883 to accept the position of secretary and manager of the Dubuque Fire & Marine Insurance Company, organized in that year. He has ever since occupied this position. Through hard work and intelligence Mr. Schrup has been more than ordinarily successful in business. In religion he is a Catholic, in politics a Democrat. He has served as a member and president of the Board of Education, is the present president of the German Savings Bank, and is otherwise identified with the civic and commercial in- terests of the city and county. In 1910 he was elected state senator from Dubuque county by the largest majority ever given a candi- date for that office in Dubuque county. Socially he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
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