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 66
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TRIBUTE TO THE LATE FRID. HEER, SR.
True son of old Helvetia thou ! Yet thy adopted land, Claimed as her own, that generous heart, And strong, courageous hand.
Her future was thy anxious care, Her history, thy pride, Her heroes, beacon lights, whose flame Should flash forth far and wide.
Still for the Hero of the Cross And Mary, Mother sweet, Was thy most strong endeavor spent, Thy effort most complete.
Farewell, true-hearted, noble friend ! And may thy service loyal In Heav'n, thy soul's own country find Its recompense right royal. Prairie du Chien, Wis., Sept. 22, 1910. A FRIEND.
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DORRANCE DIXON MYERS, SR., is one of the oldest native born citizens of Dubuque now living, his birth having occurred Novem- ber 3, 1841. So closely interwoven is the history of the Myers family with the early history of this locality that a record of one could scarcely be made without that of the other. William and Susan L. Myers, the parents of the subject of this sketch, came to Dubuque at the early period of 1832 through the solicitation of the wife of General George W. Jones, who was an intimate friend of Mrs. Myers. William Myers was a native of Missouri, his people having moved there from Pennsylvania. He was engaged in buy- ing furs from the Indians in the early days, and when the present Kansas City was but an Indian trading post he was stationed there for that purpose. Upon coming to Dubuque he followed mercan- tile pursuits for six years, then retired to a farm, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was a notable character, a man of strong will and iron determination. During the troublesome times with the Indians, fully set forth in other departments of this pub- lication, he bore a conspicuous part and attained the rank of major.
The early life of Dorrance D. Myers was passed on his father's farm, assisting in the general work during the summer months and in winters attending the district schools provided at that early day. The meagre education thus procured has since been greatly ampli- fied by extensive readings and careful study of selected subjects. When nineteen years old he left the farm and for two years was clerk in the office of William G. Stewart, who at that time was county treasurer and county recorder. He then became a clerk in the office of the master mechanic of the old Dubuque & Sioux City Railway, now the Illinois Central, a position he held until 1867, when he organized the Dubuque Tobacco Works. This concern first started in a small way on Main street, between Third and Fourth, occupying a back room on the second floor as a factory and the front room as an office. From this unpropitious beginning, and under the wise and careful management of Mr. Myers, the con- cern gradually prospered and grew in commercial strength until it is now recognized as one of the substantial business houses of Du- buque. It now owns and occupies a one hundred foot front on Iowa street, on which is erected a substantial four-story factory, and, aside from the clerical help, furnishes employment for nearly three score hands. Mr. Myers, by careful and good business manage- ment, has prospered and become one of the foremost citizens of the city. He is president of the Dubuque National Bank, vice-presi- dent of the German State Bank of Dyersville, a director of the Cas- cade State Bank, director and chairman of the Board of Managers of the Dubuque Bridge Company, director of the Julien House Hotel Company, and trustee and director of Mount Olivet Cemetery. He is a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church, and in his political views is a Democrat, having served as chairman of the
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Democratic County Central Committee. May 17, 1865, Matilda Pratte became his wife, and ten children have been born to this marriage, the following named seven now living: Mary, George W., Emily I., Dorrance D., William B., Joseph and Nathalie. The names of those deceased are Louise, Charles and Josephine.
CHARLES E. LOIZEAUX, M. D., practicing his profession at 975 Locust street, Dubuque, since 1904, was born at Vinton, Iowa, De- cember 2, 1874, the son of Charles J. and Olive A. (Roberts) Loi- zeaux. The father was a native of France and immigrated to America in 1849, locating first at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, two years, and later removing to Des Moines, Iowa, where for many years he practiced medicine and surgery. Charles E. Loizeaux received his early schooling at Dysart, Iowa, and later graduated from the East Des Moines High School. He then decided to take up the study of medicine and accordingly entered the State University of Iowa, from which institution he graduated in 1904 with the degree of Doc- tor of Medicine. His expenses in acquiring an education were de- frayed by working in the advertising department of the Des Moines Daily Capital. On June 29, 1904, Dr. Loizeaux came to Dubuque and has here since been actively and successfully engaged in the general practice of his profession. He is a member of the Iowa State and American medical associations, the Dubuque County Medical Society, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, the American Institute of Homeopathy, and in politics is a Republican. On October 8, 1908, he was united in marriage with Miss Retta Mullany, daughter of John I. and Agnes Mullany, her father being a prominent lawyer and historian in Du- buque. Dr. and Mrs. Loizeaux are members of St. Raphael's Ca- thedral.
THOMAS HENRY HEFFERNAN, M. D., has for the past fifteen years been actively and successfully engaged in the general practice of medicine in Dubuque. He is a native of the State of Wisconsin, his birth occurring April 15, 1868, and is the son of Maurice and Elizabeth Heffernan. The family came originally from Ireland, the doctor's grandfather leaving that country and settling in Canada at an early date, and there Maurice Heffernan was born and reared. Later he came to Wisconsin and there followed farming for many years. His wife was of English nativity and was brought to this country by her parents when but three years old. After attending the public schools Dr. Thomas H. Heffernan entered and in 1891 was duly graduated from the State Normal School at Platteville, Wisconsin. He was then for two years principal of the Mount Hope (Wisconsin) High School, but at that time decided to take up the study and practice of medicine and accordingly entered the Northwestern Medical School at Chicago, from which institution he
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was granted the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1896. He then came to Dubuque and has since been actively identified with the medical profession in this city. He enjoys a large and lucrative practice and has attained prominence as a surgeon among local prac- titioners. Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in religious views affiliates with the St. Luke's Methodist Episcopal church of this city. On December 17, 1902, the doctor was united in marriage with Miss Bernie A. Hogan, daughter of Dennis and Ann Hogan, pioneer settlers and farmers of Grant county, Wis- consin, both of whom are now deceased. Dr. and Mrs. Heffernan reside at 850 Locust street.
FRANK FAHA, vice president and manager of the Emporium, at Dyersville, is a native of Germany, born January 8, 1843, at Trier, and a son of Peter and Margaret Faha, both of whom lived and died in that country. Frank Faha attended the German National schools until thirteen years old, then for three years worked on his father's farm and afterwards learned tailoring, which he followed until his twenty-third year. In 1867 he immigrated to America with a view to making this country his future home, and for a short time was located in Dubuque. The same year he came west to Dyersville, Iowa, where for two years he was employed by Adam Wumbacher. He then returned to his old profession, the tailoring trade, and opened a small establishment in Dyersville. From the start, due to Mr. Faha's hard work, the business prospered, and he was forced to seek larger quarters. He erected a building 25x80 feet, later enlarging it to 110 feet, and in 1894 the corporation, of which he is now vice president and manager, was organized. The Emporium employs a working force of seventeen people and is re- garded as one of the best of its kind in the county. Mr. Faha is a Democrat in politics and has served as alderman and as president of the board of education. Socially he is identified with the Knights of Columbus, and since coming to Dyersville has been a member of the Catholic church. On September 2, 1873, he married Miss Elizabeth Knippling, daughter of John and Margaret Knipp- ling, pioneer settlers and farmers of the county. Three sons and two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Faha, as follows : Fred C., secretary of the Emporium; Frank, Jr., stockholder and director of the corporation; Henry, clerk and director of same ; Fanny, who married Edward Krapfl, who is treasurer of the con- cern : and Clara, a graduate of St. Francis Academy and resides at home. Mr. Faha has taken an active part in local matters of im- portance and is the oldest active merchant in the city of Dyersville.
EDWARD BRUECKNER, engaged in the drug business at Dyersville, is a native of the State of Michigan and a son of Herman and Sophia Brueckner. Edward Brueckner was born at Lexington,
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Michigan, February 21, 1875, and received his primary and high school education at Derinda Center, Jo Daviess county, Illinios, graduating from the latter in 1891. He then took a course in Wart- burg College, and succeeding this, from 1892 to 1894, served an apprenticeship to the drug business at Bellevue. He then entered Highland Park College, Des Moines, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1895 as a registered pharmacist. For a time thereafter he had charge of a branch drug establishment of his former Belle- vue employers at Andrew, Iowa, and then, in partnership with J. C. McGee, bought out the business of G. A. Holbrook, which they con- ducted until 1898. At that date the association was dissolved and Mr. Brueckner has since continued alone at Dyersville, where he has been very successful. He is a Republican in his political views and has served as alderman of the city for two years. Mr. Brueck- ner has always taken an interest in athletic sports and was instru- mental in the organization of the local ball club. June 1, 1904, at Dyersville, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Agnes Cun- ningham, daughter of the late Dan and Barbara Cunningham. To Mr. and Mrs. Brueckner three children have been born, named, Charles Edward, born December 27, 1905; Colleta Elise, born March 7, 1907 ; and George William, born September 10, 1908.
PETER EVEN, one of Dubuque's well known business men, has been engaged in the fuel and implement business in this city, with a main office at 57 West Main street, and a branch office at 446 Garfield avenue, for the past sixteen years. He was born in Prairie Spring Township, Jackson county, Iowa, August 4, 1856, and is a son of Mathias and Anna Hingtgen Even, natives of the Province of Luxemburg, Germany. Peter Even received but a fair country school education during boyhood. In 1878 he came to Dubuque and embarked in the grocery business for about three years. After disposing of his grocery business he became salesman and book- keeper for Pat McCullough, dealer in farm implements, and re- mained with him for thirteen years. Then in partnership with H. J. Fuchs, under the firm name of Even & Fuchs, he engaged in the coal and wood business, three years later buying out the implement business of Pat McCullough, which they added to their own par- ticular line.
In 1904 Mr. Even acquired, by purchase, Mr. Fuch's interest in the establishment and has since continued alone. He is interested in different manufacturing concerns of the city. His implement house is one of the largest in the state, and the large patronage he is enjoying, both in the fuel and implement business, was acquired by honest and fair dealings.
DR. EDWARD R. JACKSON, of Dubuque, has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at 855 Locust street since
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1874. He is a native of Iowa, born at Hopkinton. October 29, 1848, and a son of Leroy and Jerusha M. Jackson. So far as known the family came originally from Virginia, later removing to Ken- tucky, where Leroy Jackson was born, and in 1833 came to Du- buque. It is said of Leroy Jackson that he was the first to erect a brick house in the city of Dubuque. From 1833 to 1840 he engaged in the real estate business here, then went to Hopkinton, Iowa, to trade merchandise to the Indians for furs. He later bought a farm near that village, where he remained until his death in 1885. aged eighty-one years. His widow followed him in 1901, at the age of eighty-three. To them eleven children were born, eight living and three dying in infancy, as follows: Harvey, burned to death in Dubuque when fifteen months old : William H., who died at Vicks- burg during the Civil war, as sergeant of Company K, Twenty-first Iowa Volunteers; Mary Louise, wife of Professor Calvin, of the State University of Iowa ; Henry C., residing in California : Martha A., who married Grant Crawford of Hopkinton, Iowa; Susan C., wife of H. C. Salsbury, of Cresco, Iowa; Charles, who died in infancy; Frank L., of Redland, California; Fred C., residing in Sioux City, Iowa; Robert Louis, of Oldham, South Dakota; and Edward R., our subject. After attending the public schools, Dr. Edward R. Jackson entered Lenox College, Hopkinton, Iowa, later taking a course in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, where he graduated in 1874 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He subsequently attended and in 1881 was graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He then came to Dubuque, where he had already practiced seven years, and has since been actively engaged in the general practice of his profession. Dr. Jackson is a Knight Templar Mason, an Odd Fel- low, and a member of the Hahnemann Medical Society of Iowa, the American Institute of Homeopathy, the American Association of Orificial Surgeons and the Westminster Presbyterian church. Aside from his practice he is interested in the Tobasco, Chapias Trading and Transportation Company, of Mexico, is a director in the Amer- ican Peat and Fertilizer Company, Farnham, Province of Quebec, Canada, and is secretary and treasurer of the Western Land Com- pany. On November 29, 1881, in Dubuque, he married Miss Etta J. Hancock, daughter of Edwin and Ellen Hancock. Edwin Hancock was a pioneer shoe merchant and died in March, 1906, aged eighty- five years, and his wife died April 2, 1911, aged ninety years. One daughter, Edith Lucile, a graduate of the Dubuque High school and of Bradford Academy, has been born to Dr. and Mrs. Jackson.
CALEB C. CHESTERMAN has been a resident of Dubuque county for over sixty years, coming here in the year 1850. He was born at Burford, Oxfordshire, England, August II, 1828, and is a son of William and Harriet Chesterman. The father was a civil
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engineer by occupation and came to America and Dubuque county, Iowa, in 1850, settling on a farm near Peosta. He died in 1875, aged seventy years, from a stroke of apoplexy. His wife died many years before in her native country. Mr. Chesterman was prominent in the early history of this county, and with Judge Dyer founded the city of Manchester, which was named after him. Caleb C. Chesterman received his early education in England and there learned the trade of tinner. In 1848 he immigrated to America, working for a time at his trade in the East, and then came to Du- buque county. For two years he worked in the city of Dubuque, then came to Dyersville and for several years was employed by Judge Dyar. In 1854 he engaged in business on his own account, and a few years later. under the firm name of Trick & Chesterman, established a hardware and farm implement concern. After many years of successful operation Mr. Chesterman disposed of his inter- ests to Mr. Clark, and bought a small farm near Dyersville, where he followed gardening until his retirement in 1896. Mr .. Chester- man is one of the county's best and most deserving citizens. He is a Republican in National politics, but locally cast his vote for the best man regardless of party affiliation. In religion he is an Episco- palian and has helped to build several churches throughout the county. December 27, 1852, at Galena, Illinois, he was united in marriage with Miss Jane Denby, and to them these children have been born: Frank. died when twenty-eight years old; Polly, who married William McFadden, of Leverne, Minnesota; Carrie, the wife of J. P. Kendall. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa ; and Cornelius Chris- topher, residing at Waterloo. Mr. Chesterman was the first post- master of Dyersville.
STANLEY MORGAN TAYLOR, born at La Crosse, Wisconsin, No- vember 21, 1887, and now residing at 30 Chestnut street, Dubuque, is one of four children born to Landon Francis and Anna Bertha (Schwind) Taylor, who were natives of Dubuque county, Iowa, and there married. On the paternal side he is descended from Scotch- English ancestry, the advent of this family in America being about Revolutionary war times. For generations many of its members were prominently identified with the Wesleyan Methodists, the grand father of the subject of this sketch having helped as a car- penter to build the church of this denomination at Asbury, Dubuque county, in 1876, and of which he served as pastor. Landon F. Taylor was a contractor by occupation; he married in 1883 and is now living in Dubuque. Mrs. Taylor, the mother of Stanley M., was born in 1862, the daughter of Jacob Schwind, the old pioneer of whom extended notice is given elsewhere in this work. The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are: Blanche L., Stanley M., Lila L., and Clifford Benjamin. Stanley M. Taylor was graduated in the class of 1906 from the Dubuque High school, since which time he
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has been in the employ of Carr, Ryder & Adams Company, serving at the present in the capacity of estimator. He is a Republican in politics, as is also his father, and socially is identified with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Mosaic Lodge No. 125, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Dubuque Chapter No. 3, Royal Arch Masons. The family belongs to St. Luke's Methodist Episcopal church.
CHARLES W. SKEMP, engaged in the bricklaying and contracting business at Dubuque, was born September 1, 1848, in County Dor- set, England, the fifth in a family of seven children born to John and Harriet (Bennett) Skemp. Jolin Skemp removed with his family to the United States in 1859, locating in Chicago, and in 1876 he moved to Dubuque, Iowa, where he died in 1894 at seventy- nine years of age, followed by his widow in 1898, aged eighty-four years. He was a mason by trade and followed that occupation, and contracting, all his life. Charles W. Skemp, at the age of fourteen years, began learning his trade under his father's instruction, and from that time until 1897 worked as a journeyman. For the last fourteen years he has operated extensively as a contractor, the Mercy Hospital, new Presbyterian Seminary, Lawther's candy factory, one part of the Fourteenth Street St. Joseph's Catholic College, Couler Avenue school house, Burlington freight house, an addition for the McDonald Manufacturing Company at Thirteenth street, St. Anthony's Catholic church at West Dubuque, an addition to the Orphan's Home north of Linwood, the power house at Fin- ley Hospital, an addition for the Carr, Ryder & Adams Company and numerous residences having been erected by him. In 1873, Mr. Skemp married Miss Laura C. Cain, daughter of Col. Paul and Maria (Price) Cain, who were among the very first settlers of Dubuque county. Colonel Cain was a native of the state of New York and of Holland ancestry. He married at Cincinnati, Ohio, his wife being a native of that state and of English lineage. He first came to Dubuque alone in 1834, and being impressed with the future possibilities of the place, permanently settled here with his family in 1835. He engaged in mining to some extent, but was chiefly employed at farming. He died in 1867, aged sixty-two years, and his widow in 1880, when seventy years old. They were the parents of nine children, Mrs. Skemp being the youngest, her birth occurring March 22, 1851. Another daughter, Miss Louisa Hanson, aged eighty-two years, is the oldest living settler in Du- buque at the present time, and one son, Orrin R. Cain, is a veteran of the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Skemp eleven children have been born, as follows: Eva Luella, died in infancy; Charles P., married Cora Steadman, the father of one child, was a corporal in Company A, Iowa National Guard and served in Cuba during the Spanish-American war, is a member of the Masonic fraternity and
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resides at Woodward, Oklahoma ; Hattie May, married Charles H. Agard, has three children, home in Dubuque; Edwin John, single, living with his parents; Jessie Eugenia, the wife of Alfred R. Staufenbiel, has one child, home in Dubuque ; Ivy Laura and Frank Garfield, single and living with their parents; Robert, died in in- fancy ; Clarence, living at home; Newton, died in childhood; and Nellie Louise, living with her parents in Dubuque. Mr. Skemp is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a Republican in politics and a member of Dubuque Lodge No. 41, Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Skemp belongs to the Baptist church, the Shiloh Circle, the Pythian Sisters and is the present president of Fitzhugh Lee Camp, the ladies' auxiliary of the Spanish-American War Veterans.
JOHN AND ANNIE M. VORWALD were early pioneers of Johnson county, Iowa, and likewise of Dubuque county. They came here at the early date of 1850, a period when the country was but fairly awakening from primitive conditions, and here Mr. Vorwald began operating a flour mill. He also bought 365 acres of land, for the most part fresh from the fashioning hand of the Creator, which he gradually improved by cultivation and the erection of buildings. It was but a comparatively short time until he became one of the fore- most men of his day in this section of the community. His sym- pathy, helpfulness and liberality were noteworthy, his public spirit proverbial and the respect accorded him was universal. He served as alderman and mayor and his record as a public official was above reproach. After a residence of fifty-six years in Dubuque county he died in the faith of the Roman Catholic church on December 13, 1906. His widow yet survives him, and they were the parents of ten children, as follows: Frank, a farmer near Bloomington, Wis- consin; John, who resides at Dyersville; Fred, farming in Delaware county, this state; Frances, residing at home; Joseph and George, operating the home farm; Harry Vorwald, operating a meat mar- ket in New Vienna; Lizzie, who married John T. Meyers, and re- sides in South Dakota; Annie, the wife of Otto Kerper, of New Vienna ; Mary, residing at home; and Alvina, who died in infancy in 1888. While much can be said of the high character of Mr. Vor- wald, a great deal can also be said in praise of Mrs. Vorwald, who faithfully and ably assisted her husband in all his endeavors, who brought ten children into the world, giving to them a mother's lov- ing care, rearing nine of them to useful and praiseworthy citizen- ship and instilling into all their hearts the sublime religious faith of the Roman Catholic religion.
John Vorwald, of the above children, was born at New Vienna on November 6, 1871, and there received his early schooling. When fourteen years old he quit school and for three years assisted his father in the care of the home farm. He then helped to operate the flour mill about twelve years. In the meantime he had given con-
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siderable attention to public affairs and local needs, and his practical knowledge and sound judgment led to his election on the Demo- cratic ticket in 1907 as a member of the Board of Supervisors of Dubuque county, a position he has since occupied with signal ability. His first election was by a majority of 280 votes, his second, in 1908, by 2,100 votes, and in 1910 his majority was still further in- creased to 2,900 ballots. Mr. Vorwald is the owner of a farm of 120 acres in South Dakota and also valuable properties in this county. August 10, 1897, he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine, daughter of August and Caroline Streabler, who were among the earliest settlers of Dubuque county. August Streabler, although a native of the United States, was descended from Ger- man ancestry. He came here about the year 1840, served the Union as a volunteer in the Civil war and was a well known farmer. He died January 21, 1900, when seventy-two years old, but his widow is yet living and resides in Haverhill, Iowa.
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