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 72
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PATRICK J. QUIGLEY, for the past thirty years business manager of the Telegraph-Herald, Dubuque, is one of Dubuque's representa- tive men. He was born on a farm near Binghamton, New York, June 1. 1837, and is a son of John and Catherine Quigley. The father, a native of Ireland. immigrated to America in 1825, locating in Pennsylvania and later removing to Illinois. In 1847 he came to Dubuque county, and here followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1860 at the age of seventy years. His wife died in Dubuque in 1884. aged eighty-four years. Patrick J. Quigley was primarily educated in the country schools of his native county and Dubuque, and also assisted his father in the work of the home farmn. In 1854 he started surveying in Minnesota. continuing thus some time, and upon the death of his father helped to support his mother and sister. In 1863 he located on his brother-in-law's farm near Sageville, then came to the city of Dubuque and opened a grocery store on First street and also became interested in the grain and lumber business. In 1868 Mr. Quigley took a trip West and upon his return was elected clerk of the circuit and district courts, which position he held from 1871 to 1881. In the latter year he became one of the organizers of the Dubuque Telegraph and half owner of the publication, and has remained thus connected ever since. On November 1, 1901, the Herald and the Telegraph were consolidated, and the publication became known as the Telegraph-Herald. Mr. Quigley has always been the business manager, and at present owns 75 per cent of the stock. He is an independent Democrat in his political views, and when but twenty-one years old was elected and served as justice of the peace, prior to his removal from Jefferson township. In religion he is of the Roman Catholic faith. In 1878, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was united in marriage with Mrs.
OP J. Quigley
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Mary L. Vanevery, daughter of Charles Gisso, and to them one son. Joseph C., circulating manager of the Telegraph-Herald, has been borı.
JOHN L. HEIM, of the Heim Briek Manufacturing Company, Dubuque, is a native of this city and a son of the old pioneers, John and Catherine (Voelker) Heim. The father was born in Hocken- heim, Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, in 1839, and when twenty- six years old, 1865, immigrated to the United States by way of New York city. He located in Dubuque, Iowa, the following year and here for one year was foreman for the Douglas-Langworthy Brick Manufacturing Company. He then was engaged in a similar capacity with the Michael Schunk concern, and in 1868 founded the brick manufacturing company which today bears his name. He continued thus successfully until his death, which occurred April 3. 1890, aged fifty-one years, preceded by his wife October 4, 1872, at the age of thirty-five years. Both are buried in Mount Calvary cemetery, Dubuque. In 1873 Mr. Heim married Miss Agatha Schirmer, of Sherrill's Mound, Iowa. By the first marriage he had four children, as follows: John L., Mary (Mrs. H. Fuchs), Pete (deceased ), Frank. By the second marriage there were six chil- dren, as follows: Elizabeth (deceased ). Joseph, Catherine (de- ceased ). Anna. Louis, Josephine (Mrs. Jos. J. Schneider). Mrs. Agatha Heim is still living and has a controlling interest in the business so well established by her husband.
Mr. John L. Heim, the oldest child of John and Catherine Heim and the immediate subject of this sketch, was born September 21, 1867, and until thirteen years of age attended St. Mary's parochial school. For a time he assisted his father in the brick manufacturing business, and later took a course in Bayless Business College. Upon the death of his father Mr. Heim took charge of the business affairs of the concern and has ever since been thus engaged. He is an independent Democrat in polities and a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Holy Ghost Roman Catholic church. On May 4. 1890, in Dubuque, he married Miss Josephine Madel, and to them eight children. five daughters and three sons, have been born, as follows: Anna, at home ; Agatha, at home : John, a student in St. Joseph's College: Joseph, attending Holy Ghost school ; Helena, also a student in Holy Ghost school: William and Leona. same, and Alice Johanna, three years old. Mrs. Heim is a daughter of Joseph and Anna Madel, the father a tailor who died in 1890. aged fifty years, his wife surviving and residing on Couler avenue, this city. From a comparatively small beginning the Heim Brick Manufacturing Company has grown and prospered until today it is recognized as one of the substantial commercial houses of Dubuque. The establishment has become known as the "Old Reliable," now conducts several yards, and is well prepared to meet the ever increas-
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ing demands. Uniform courtesy and prompt attention to calls for all grades of brick have given the company an excellent reputation.
THEODORE W. RUETE, for nearly forty years engaged in the drug business at 656 Main street, Dubuque, was born in the city of Bremen, Germany, on February 19, 1842. His parents, William F. and Maria Ruete, lived and died in the old country. Theodore W. Ruete received his education at the Latin school of Bremen and at the University of Göttingen, passing his examination as a phar- macist in the latter institution, and then came to the United States with the determination of making it his future home. He was employed as a pharmacist in New York city at the time of the breaking out of the Civil war, and although but a short time in this country and scarcely more than a boy, he volunteered his services for the preservation of the Union. He served in the medical depart- ment of the One Hundred and Third New York Infantry, Army of the Potomac, and took part in all the great battles and campaigns of this army. He also served in the Shenandoah valley campaign under General P. H. Sheridan, and was mustered out at the close of the war with the rank of first lieutenant.
After the close of the war he resided in New York city until 1868; then at Lockport, New York, for five years, and in 1873 came to Dubuque, Iowa, which has since been his home. Here Mr. Ruete has become identified with the civic, educational and com- mercial growth of the city, and is looked upon as one of Dubuque's best citizens. In politics he is a Republican ; in religion an Episco- palian. He has served as president of the State Pharmaceutical Association, as United States weather observer, president of the Finley Hospital and as an officer and member of the Grand Army of the Republic; he is also a member of the National Geographic Society.
Mr. Ruete has been twice married; first to Lettie Elizabeth Moyer, at Lockport, New York, who died after a happily wedded life of thirty years, in 1901, leaving one son, Otto M., who lives in California ; and then to Mrs. Louisa Michaelis Guilbert, of Dubuque, in 1903. Mr. Ruete was one of the promoters and the first president of the organization that successfully carried to completion the erec- tion of a monument to the memory of Julien Dubuque, a half-tone reproduction of which appears in this work.
THEOPHILUS CRAWFORD died in December, 1877. He was born in Vermont in 1806. Having learned the trade of surveying in Michigan he came to Dubuque in 1842 and located in New Wine township on land bought of Joe Hewitt, the Indian trader. Later he lived for several years in Dyersville and while there was a member of the board of supervisors. In 1846 he was a member of the constitutional convention and became the first state senator from
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this county. He again served in the legislature in 1857 and 1875. Later he lived on a farm in Vernon township and in Peosta. Both as a member of the county board and of the legislature he distin- guished himself by honesty and ability. His death was widely lamented.
JAMES M. EMERSON died here in February, 1878. He was born in Virginia in 1809 and came to Dubuque in 1833. In 1837 he returned to Missouri, but in 1840 again came to Dubuque. He was in the mercantile business with James Creder and later with James G. Shields. In1 1840 he married here the sister of Judge Jolin King and they had five children. He never sought or occupied office, but was an honest and substantial business man and good citizen.
LEE DANDRIDGE MATHES, general manager of the Union Electric Company, Dubuque, is of distinguished southern ancestry and notable lineage. James Harvey Mathes, his father, was of Scotch- Irish stock and attained a national reputation as editor of the Public Ledger, Memphis, Tennessee. For years his editorials in that paper were widely read and often copied, and were recognized generally as epigrams of logic, wit, keen analysis and merciless satire. His writings resulted in the Public Ledger becoming one of the best known newspapers in all the South. During the Civil war he served on the staff of General N. B. Forest, for the Confederate cause. The latter part of his life was devoted to literary pursuits, "The Blue and the Gray," particularly, and his work for D. Appleton & Co., encyclopedia publishers, being of especial merit. He died in 1902, at the age of sixty years, when life yet beckoned with glowing promises. Mildred Spotswood became the wife of James H. Mathies and was the mother of the subject of this sketch. Her people were English, her direct ancestor being a passenger on board the May- flower, and Governor Alexander Spotswood, one of the first coloniai governors, was of the same family. The Spotswoods were particu- larly of a line of clergymen, and achieved much renown because of their prominence in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Mathes is the honorary vice president of the Daughters of the American Revolu- tion, is a national officer of the Colonial Dames and has served as president of the Daughters of the Confederacy.
Lee D. Mathes was born at Memphis, Tennessee, on January 19, 1871, and was there reared and received his early education. In 1891 he completed the electrical engineering course at the University of Tennessee, since which time he has been engaged in electrical construction work throughout all parts of the country. He is a master of his profession and has attained distinction in his particular line of work. Since 1902 he has been general manager of the Union Electric Company, of Dubuque. Mr. Mathes, as a Democrat, served as president of the Bryan-White Club. He is a vestryman of St.
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John's Episcopal church, a director of the Y. M. C. A., a director of the Boys' Welfare Association and a trustee of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
DR. HENRY GLOVER LANGWORTHY, of Dubuque, has attained high rank in the medical world as a specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Born November 1, 1880, at Clinton, Iowa, he is the son of L. H. and Caroline (Glover) Langworthy. The mother, daughter of H. B. Glover, founder of the H. B. Glover manufacturing concern, died shortly after the birth of our subject, being but twenty-four years of age. The elder Langworthy resided in Dubuque many years, and was prominently known in business circles as a barrel manufacturer and saw mill operator.
Succeeding his mother's death Dr. H. G. Langworthy was placed under the care of his grandmothers, Mrs. H. B. Glover and Mrs. Valeria Langworthy, and to them his rearing and education were entrusted. Early in life the doctor decided to take up the study and practice of medicine, with a view to making it his life's work, and after attending the Dubuque public schools entered and in 1903 was graduated from Tuft's College of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts. In 1902-3 he was city house physician of the Boston City Hospital, and the following three years served as house surgeon to the Massa- chusetts Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary. During this period he contributed many articles to scientific papers on the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, these branches of the medical profession being his specialty. He is identified with the Dubuque County and Iowa State medical societies, the American Medical Association, the Chicago Ophthalmological Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Oto-Laryngology. He has also been an associate-editor of the Physicians' Business Journal and has acted in a like capacity for journals and magazines on den- tistry and diseases of the mouth. In politics Dr. Langworthy is a Republican; in religion of the Congregational faith. Socially he is a member of the Young Men's Taft Club of Dubuque, having acted as treasurer and chairman of financial bureau of same ; the Dubuque Golf Club, of which he is a trustee, and the Dubuque City Club. He now conducts at Tenth and Bluff streets an infirmary for the treatment of eye, ear, nose and throat diseases. By careful study and wide research the doctor has risen high in the ranks of medical practice, and is highly regarded by all who know him. On December 29, 1910, he married Miss Bertha Schmidt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry G. Schmidt, of Chicago.
CHARLES WESLEY WALTON, a well-known business man of Du- buque, and a prominent Masonic figure in Iowa, was born at White Oak, Wisconsin, September 2, 1870, a son of William and Mary A. (Redfern) Walton, who were natives of County Durham, England.
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William Walton came to the United States a young man and dur- ing the excitement following the great discovery of gold in Cali- fornia went to that country and there succeeded in accumulating considerable means. He then returned to the States, and bought land in Wisconsin, where he and wife resided the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Walton died January 24, 1880, when fifty-one years old, and Mr. Walton in September, 1890, at the age of sixty- five years. Both are buried at Council Hill, Illinois.
Charles W. Walton, the immediate subject of this review, at- tended the public schools and assisted his father in the work on the home farm until fourteen years old. He subsequently attended high school at Hampton, Iowa, and took a business course at Bay- less Commercial College in Dubuque. The following two years, 1887 to 1889, he was bookkeeper in the wholesale importing crock- ery and glassware house of C. H. Little, Becker & Company, and then for two years longer continued in a similar capacity for Hargee & Blish. In 1892 he embarked in business for himself, handling sta- tionery, wall paper and general office supplies, under the firm name of Walton & Bieg. In 1899 he purchased the funeral and under- taking business of John R. Jones, and has since continued success- fully in that line. Mr. Walton is one of the solid and substantial business men of Dubuque. He has become widely known, particu- larly as a member and worker in the Masonic fraternity. In Octo- ber, 1894, he was made a Master Mason of Metropolitan Lodge, No. 49, A. F. & A. M .; a Royal Arch Mason in Dubuque Chapter, No. 3, R. A. M., in December, 1894, and a Knight Templar of Siloam Commandery, No. 3, K. T., in October, 1897. He has served as Master of his lodge, High Priest of his chapter and Com- mander of his commandery, and while attaining everything possible in York Rite Masonry, is also a thirty-second degree member of De Molay Consistory, A. A. S. R. M., at Clinton, Iowa. For many years he has been a member of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, and in 1903 was Grand Warden. He has also served in numerous official positions in the Grand Commandery, and in 1908 was elevated to the exalted position of Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of the State of Iowa. Perhaps there is no better known or more universally loved Mason in Iowa than Right Emi- nent Sir Charles Wesley Walton.
In various other ways Mr. Walton has become identified with the social and commercial development of Dubuque. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of the World, and in politics is a Republican. He has served as treas- urer of the Board of Education of Dubuque ever since 1906, and is a member and trustee of the Westminster Presbyterian church. On September 15, 1892, he was united in marriage with Miss Clara. daughter of Gottfried and Ursula Blocklinger, old pioneers of this
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locality, and to them two sons have been born, named Charles Wes- ley and Joseph Harlan.
Mr. Walton's connection in a professional as well as in a social way with so many phases of life has tended to broaden a mind natu- rally inclined to seek for the truth in all things; his keen business instincts have caused his advice and aid to be sought by the many ; his conscientious sense of justice to all men has made his word respected and his character held in high esteem; his uniform cour- tesy to his associates has given him recognition as the friend of all, the enemy of none.
GEN. HENRY A. WILTSE died late in October, 1870. He was born in New York and in youth studied civil engineering. He came west and lived for a time in Chicago and finally edited a paper at Lancaster, Wisconsin. In 1843 he came to Dubuque and first secured employment in the Surveyor General's office. In 1851-2 he studied law and became associated in the practice with Mr. Blatch- ley. He practiced with much success until 1861, when he became Surveyor General, which office he held until 1866. In 1858 he served as Superintendent of Public Instruction under appointment of the Governor. In 1856 he became president of the first Board of Education in Dubuque, and served as such for five years, putting the common school system on a safe and permanent basis. During the war he was a firm supporter of Lincoln's administration and the prosecution of that struggle. In 1846 he married Mary Eggleston, in this city. He was a Congregationalist. Resolutions were passed by the bar at his death.
JOSEPH JOHN OTT has been a conspicuous member of the lumber fraternity of Dubuque from a date which entitles him to be included among the pioneers of that industry. His birth occurred in this city December 30, 1866, his parents being Joseph and Margaret Ott, who immigrated to America from Wurtemburg, Germany, at an early date, first locating at Galena, Illinois, and later, in 1866, coming to Dubuque. The father was, primarily, a brewer, but soon abandoned that vocation and became connected with the Phealen & Randell saw mill, one of the earliest in this portion of the country. After being thus engaged for a period of twenty years, he retired to a farm in Dubuque township, to which he has since devoted his attention. Mr. Ott is well known throughout the entire county and is highly esteemed and respected for his many excellent characteristics.
His son, Joseph John Ott, the immediate subject of this sketch, received his early scholastic training in the public and St. Mary's parochial schools of Dubuque, and supplemented this by a course in Bayless Business College, graduating from the latter when but six-
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY 661
teen years of age. He then entered the employ of the Second National Bank of Dubuque, as a messenger, where eventually, as occasion warranted, he was promoted until reaching the position of paying and receiving teller. For five years, until 1890, he was thus occupied, but then resigned to embark in the lumber business, and has since been thus successfully engaged. Aside from his own immediate business interests, he is president of the Dubuque Altar Manufacturing Company, vice-president and director of the Du- buque Star Brewing Company, president and manager of the Mackey Lumber Company, Stillwater, Minnesota, president and director of the St. Croix Broom Company, Stillwater, Minn., and identified in like capacities with various other concerns. In his political views Mr. Ott is a Democrat, in religion a member of the Catholic church. Socially he is identified with the St. Aloysius Society, a benevolent organization; the Catholic Order of For- esters, of which he has been State Chief Ranger, and other social and benevolent organizations. On May 25, 1891, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Meuser, daughter of William H. and Margaret Meuser, her father being the owner of the old Schmidt Brewery, and to them seven children have been born, as follows: William H., who died November 21, 1909, at the age of fourteen months; Adalaide; Arthur W .; Joseph J., Jr .; Helen S .; Ger- aldine; and one infant, Gertrude Josephine. Mr. Ott has always taken an active interest and part in any movement for the good or betterment of the county, and is regarded by all who know him as one of the public-spirited and progressive men of Dubuque county.
J. HANNIBAL EMERSON died here in September, 1875. He was born in Virginia in 1807, and was reared there and in Pike county, Missouri. He first farmed and later followed merchandising. On April 1, 1834, he came to Dubuque and became a member of the mercantile firm of Emerson, Shields & Co., at Fourth and Main. He was a member of the constitutional convention that framed the Iowa code and in 1850 was mayor of the city. He occupied other positions of trust with fidelity and credit. His first wife was Eme- line Mace, and his second Kate Burt, daughter of the judge. Seven children were born to the second marriage. He left a goodly estate.
GEN. JOHN HODGDON died here August 27, 1883, aged eighty- three years. He graduated at Bowdoin College in 1827, studied law and was prominent in New England politics for many years. He came to Dubuque in 1853. In 1859 he was elected mayor, was dele- gate to various conventions, was president of the Board of Educa- tion in 1868, and held the position until 1874. He was trustee of the Blind Asylum at Vinton, and engaged in banking here. He was an Episcopalian and a man of high character.
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GEORGE W. HEALEY, of the pioneer hardware firm of George W. Healey & Son, was born in the city of Dubuque, February 22, 1842, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Weigel) Healey. His grand- parents lived originally in Ireland, then went to England, and sub- sequently came to the United States, where, in Maryland, Thomas Healey, the father of our subject, was born in 1812. In 1831, how- ever, he emigrated west to Dubuque county, and for six years en- gaged in farming in Julien township. For a time he then followed the trade of carpenter, but, owing to ill health, returned to his farm and conducted same until his death in 1879, at the age of seventy years. He was well known throughout the community where he resided, and through his death the county lost one of its best citi- zens. His wife, yet living, is of German nativity, but early in life left the mother country and settled with friends in Dubuque, June 3, 1833, then little more than a frontier settlement with more Indian inhabitants than whites. Mrs. Healey was one of the earliest set- tlers in this portion of Iowa, and is yet living in the enjoyment of good health, at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years.
The first scholastic training of George W. Healey was received in the early pay schools of Dubuque, and later, when the public schools were organized, he attended these until thirteen years old. He then started out to make his own way in the world. His first employment was as an apprentice in the agricultural, hardware and seed business in the establishment of Doolittle & Chamberlain. He remained thus occupied until war was declared between the North and the South, and then as a private enlisted for the preservation of the Union, in Company E, Fifth Iowa Cavalry, serving faithfully and honorably until the close of that memorable struggle. He was soon promoted to rank of corporal. On May 12, 1879, he was made captain of Company A, Fourth Iowa Infantry. In 1863, near Chattanooga, he was wounded, and on July 29, 1864, was made prisoner and for a time confined in the notorious Andersonville prison. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged by the War Department of the United States Government, and was pre- sented with the Medal of Honor by same. Congress also presented him a medal for gallantry and valor in July. 1864, near Atlanta, Georgia. Following is a copy of report: "A congressional medal of honor awarded to Corporal Geo. W. Healey, of Co. E, 5th Iowa Cavalry, for most distinguished gallantry in action at Newman, Georgia, near Atlanta, July 29, 1864; with a comrade captured five Confederate soldiers, disarmed the five prisoners and brought them to the Union lines. G. D. Meckeljohn, Ass't Sec. of War." In May, 1865, Captain Healey was one of a detail of his regiment to guard Jefferson Davis, President of the Southern Confederacy, on his way from Atlanta to Augusta, Georgia. In political views Mr. Healey is a Republican, and socially he is identified with the follow- ing organizations : Medal of Honor Legion; Hyde Clark Post,
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