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 73
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No. 78, Grand Army of the Republic; Union Veterans' Union, No. 7. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Moser, daughter of Benedict and Rosa (Bloesch) Moser, at Dubuque, October 29, 1868. His wife's father died August 12, 1872, at Aarberg, Switzerland, and the mother in 1850, at Dubuque. Mr. Healey's wife died in Dubuque, October 20, 1908, and to them were born the following named children: Edward M., partner in his father's business; May F., a successful teacher in the city schools of Dubuque; and Maud A., wife of B. L. Wallace, of Chicago.
On November 15, 1910, at San Francisco, Mr. Healey married Mrs. Susie Moreing Burr. They and his daughter May reside at 701 Bluff street, Dubuque.
JAMES R. GUTHRIE, M. D., has been prominently identified with the practice of medicine and surgery in Dubuque since 1884. He was born in Sand Springs, Delaware county, Iowa, July 22, 1858, the son of Peter and Jane Ann Guthrie, who were of Irish and Scotch extraction, respectively. The father's people lived on a farm in Ireland, but left that country at an early date and made their home in America, and the mother's people, coming from Scot- land to the United States, settled in western New York, and here she was born. The father is yet living at an advanced age in Hop- kinton, Iowa.
After attending the public schools, James R. Guthrie, the imme- diate subject of this memoir, entered Lenox College, Hopkinton, and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1878. He taught school the next three years, and then determined to make the study and practice of medicine his life's work; he accordingly entered the University of Iowa and in 1884 was graduated from the Medical Department of the Iowa State University, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. That year he came to Dubuque, embarked in the general practice of his profession, and has since, by careful study and research, taken high rank among the practitioners in Dubuque. In politics the doctor is a Republican, in religion a member of the Westminster Presbyterian church. On April 20, 1893, at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he was united in marriage with Miss Harriett Dowdell, daughter of the old pioneer, Edward Dowdell, of Irish descent, and to them two children have been born : Edward, who died in infancy, and a daughter, Jahann, now attending school. On June 18, 1889, Dr. Guthrie was elected to the chair of physiol- ogy in the College of Medicine in the State University of Iowa, and held same until 1898, when he was elected professor of gynecology in this institution. He was further honored, July 22, 1902, with the appointment of Dean of the College of Medicine in the State University, a position he has filled with eminent satisfaction ever since his appointment. The doctor's offices are located at 1005 Locust street, and he is highly regarded by all who know him.
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JAMES FANNING died here May 3, 1857, aged fifty-four years. He was a native of Ireland, and came to Dubuque in 1833 and resided here until his death. He was active and prominent in busi- ness and public affairs, served as county commissioner in 1837, and was a worthy and upright citizen.
TIMOTHY FANNING died in February, 1863; he came to Du- buque in 1836 and was a member of the first board of trustees. He kept the Jefferson House for many years, on First street. Later he was alderman and held other offices with credit. He was best known as a business man.
THE VERY REV. DANIEL M. GORMAN, LL. D., president of St. Joseph's College, Dubuque, since 1904, is a native of Jones county, Iowa. Born April 12, 1871, he obtained his early education in the local schools of the county. Dr. Gorman was engaged as teacher for several terms in the schools of his native state. In 1885 he came to Dubuque, and completed the collegiate course in St. Joseph's College. In 1890 he went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and pursued his theological studies in St. Francis Seminary. Father Gorman was ordained in 1893 and immediately thereafter was sent by the late Archbishop Hennessy to the parish of State Center, Iowa. In 1894 he was invited by the same Archbishop to come to Dubuque and accept a professorship in St. Joseph's College. In 1900 he was elected vice-president, and in 1904 president of the institution. He has since served in this capacity. St. Joseph's College has taken high rank among the educational institutions of the Middle West, and many of Iowa's leading citizens have attended it.
JOSEPH HEROD for many years was actively and successfully en- gaged in the real estate business in Dubuque, but for some time past lived a retired life in this city. He was born in Manchester, Eng- land, December 18, 1826, and came to Dubuque in 1852. For a time he found employment in various capacities. He assumed the position of secretary of the Iowa Falls & Sioux City Railroad dur- ing its construction, and was also interested in other railways. He embarked in the real estate business in 1853, and for years was con- nected with this particular branch of industry in Dubuque. He was unusually successful in all business operations, and besides owning his residence and other structures in Dubuque, had other properties throughout the State of Iowa. He and several nephews recently completed the erection of a seventeen-suite apartment house in Dubuque, which is one of the finest of its kind in the city. In political affairs Mr. Herod always favored the policies of the Repub- lical party, and took an active part in civic affairs, serving as a mem- ber of the city council and for twenty-one years as school treasurer. Socially he was for many years identified with the Independent
JOHN P. FRANTZEN
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Order of Odd Fellows, and several other benevolent organizations. In 1850 he was married in his native country to Miss Elizabeth Burton, and in 1900, at Dubuque, they celebrated their golden wed- ding, and their sixty-first anniversary was celebrated February 5, 1911, at the home of his niece, Mrs. Mary B. Wallis. Mr. Herod died April 10, 1911, at the ripe age of eighty-four years, and was buried in beautiful Linwood, April 12, carrying with him the admi- ration of the citizens of Dubuque, who had known him through so many years as an upright and honorable man. Mr. Herod and wife resided at 1671 Main street, highly esteemed and respected by their many friends and neighbors.
JUDGE WILLIAM W. HAMILTON died at his residence near Cas- cade early in March, 1866. He came to this county about 1839, was chief clerk in the Surveyor General's office and served as pro- bate judge. He served in both branches of the legislature, and in 1864 was candidate for Lieutenant-Governor. He was a railway official at the time of his death in March, 1865. He was by birth an Englishman.
COL. DAVID SLEATOR died at New Orleans, April 20, 1848. He was an early settler and prominent citizen and business man. He had gone South in pursuit of health.
THOMAS GRAFFORT was here about 1838, and for a number of years kept the Washington House. He finally removed to Jones county, where he died in 1864, aged eighty-nine years. John D. Graffort, of Dubuque, was his son.
J. P. FRANTZEN, the subject of this sketch, a disciple of Black- stone, has had, by his studious and industrious habits and inde- fatigable energy, a most successful career at the Iowa Bar. He is a native of this state, having been born in 1873, near Alton, in Sioux county, Iowa, to which place his parents, Henry and Joseph- ine Frantzen, removed in 1870, from Dubuque county, and took up a homestead. When about five years of age, he came to Dubuque county, where he has resided ever since.
His younger days were spent on the farm of his uncle, Nicholas Frantzen, in Mosalem township, and he attended the district school during the winter and worked on the farm in the summer. During the winter of 1899 and 1890, he taught school in Sub-District No. I, near Massey Station, in Mosalem township, and in the fall of 1890 he entered the Northern Indiana Normal School (now Valparaiso University), from which institution he graduated in 1892, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Immediately after his graduation, he was elected principal of the public schools at Kennedy, Texas,
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
a position which he filled most creditably for one year, and declin- ing re-election, he entered the Northern Indiana Law School.
For a period of two years, he held the position of manager of the Typewriting Department of the Northern Indiana Normal School, and was special instructor in stenography. In June, 1895, he graduated from the law school, and in October of the same year was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of this state. Imme- diately upon returning to Dubuque, he became associated with the late Alphons Matthews, one of the leading lawyers in Iowa, and in 1899 became a member of the firm of Matthews, Lindsay & Frant- zen. Two years later, upon the retirement of Mr. J. R. Lindsay from the firm, the business continued under the firm name of Mat- thews & Frantzen until the death of Mr. Matthews in 1909, after which he associated himself with Mr. T. J. Fitzpatrick, under the firm name of Fitzpatrick & Frantzen, which said firm is considered one of the ablest in the eastern part of the state, and enjoys a most lucrative practice.
The firm of Fitzpatrick & Frantzen occupies a very pleasant suite of offices on the fourth floor of the Bank and Insurance Building, being a contraction of the offices formerly occupied by W. J. Knight and the firm of Matthews & Frantzen. Mr. Frantzen was for a term of two years president of the Dubuque County Bar Associa- tion, and is the attorney for and a director of the German Trust & Savings Bank of the city of Dubuque. In politics Mr. Frantzen is a staunch and enthusiastic Democrat, and has several times refused nominations, tendered him unanimously, to positions of confidence and trust. In religion he is a Catholic, and is socially identified with the Knights of Columbus, C. O. F., M. W. A., and other fraternal organizations. Mr. Frantzen is active in all public affairs, is honest and conscientious, a close student, ranks very high as a lawyer, and is highly respected by all whom know him. In 1903 he was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Palen, daughter of Nicholas and Barbara Palen, and to them have been born three children: Made- line M., John J. and Virginia M.
JAMES H. HARRIS. superintendent of schools at Dubuque and a man widely known in the educational world, was born in Keweenaw county, upper Michigan, March 9. 1866, the son of Benjamin and Jane (Allen) Harris. The family came originally from Cornwall, England, but in 1865 immigrated to America and located in the Lake Superior copper region of Michigan, where they lived until 1906, then removing to Evart, Osceola county, Michigan, where they now reside. The father was for thirty years connected with the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company, but is now retired from the active business cares of life. After attending the public schools of Lake Linden, Houghton county, Michigan, James H. Harris entered the high school at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was graduated there-
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from in 1886. The following year he entered the University of Michigan and in 1891 was graduated therefrom with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Since that time Mr. Harris has been engaged entirely in educational work. Immediately after graduation he was appointed instructor in Latin and Greek in the Saginaw, Michigan, high school, but after one year there he was appointed to a like posi- tion at the Michigan Military Academy, Orchard Lake, Michigan, where he remained for five years. In 1895-96 he spent a year in graduate work at the University of Chicago. He was elected principal of the high school at Bay City, Michigan, in September, 1897, but relinquished this three and a half years later to return to the Michigan Military Academy as principal. Two years later (January, 1903) he was offered and accepted the superintendency of schools at Pontiac, Michigan, where he remained for three and a half years. In the summer of 1906 he was tendered the position of assistant superintendent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by Dr. C. M. Jordan, the superintendent, and entered upon his duties in Sep- tember of that year. There he remained until he was offered and accepted his present position as superintendent of the Dubuque public schools, taking up his work May 1, 1910. Mr. Harris has contributed extensively to educational journals and has written a manual of elementary English for the use of teachers. In national political affairs he is affiliated with the Republican party. He is a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity and of the Masonic order, and is also identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. August 8, 1901, at Pontiac, Michigan, he was united in marriage with Miss Grace Galbraith, the daughter of Dr. F. B. Galbraith, who was one of the most prominent physicians of that city. He was for several terms its mayor and also represented his district in the Michigan state senate. To Mr. and Mrs. Harris one daughter, Katharine, was born, July 28, 1902.
PETER J. SEIPPEL, than whom, possibly, none is more intimately associated with the lumber industry of Dubuque, started out in life a poor boy and by his own unaided efforts has accumulated a com- petency and risen to a position of honor and respect among his fellow men. Born August 7, 1862, in Schoenburg, Grand Duchy of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, he was the son of Martin and Mary Seippel, who in 1865 left their native country and immigrated to America. The parents first settled at Glen Haven, Grant county, Wisconsin, but later came further west to Guttenberg, Clayton county, Iowa, and here lived happily together until the father passed away at the age of fifty-four years. His widow still survives him and resides on the old home place. When brought to this country by his parents Peter J. Seippel was but three years old, and his first schooling was secured in the public institutions of Guttenberg. When fourteen years old he started out in life for himself, and for
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three years he worked as a farm hand near his home town. The succeeding three years he worked as a common laborer on railroads in various parts of the country, and then, when twenty years old, came to the city of Dubuque. Desiring to better his education, Mr. Seippel entered and was duly graduated from the Bayless Business College of this city, and then secured employment in the clerical department of the lumber establishment of C. W. Robison. Then, in partnership with Mr. Joseph A. Meuser, he bought out a small ltunber concern in East Dubuque, Illinois, and they continued in business there until 1897 under the firm name of Meuser & Seippel. In February of that year Mr. Seippel disposed of his interests to Mr. Meuser and came to Dubuque, where, on the site of the old C. W. Robison place, he organized the Peter J. Seippel Lumber Company, of which he was elected and has since been president. The establishment now occupies a space of about ten city blocks ; they handle in the neighborhood of 25,000,000 feet of lumber and their business amounts to over half a million of dollars annually. In 1907 Mr. Seippel organized the Seippel Timber Company, of which he is also president. In political affairs he is independent, casting his vote for the man rather than the party, and in religious views is a member of the German Lutheran church. He has been twice married ; first, at Dubuque, to Miss Mamie Power, by whom he had two daughters, Florence and Blanche; and second, to Miss Katharine Jess, daughter of Robert Jess, to which latter union has been born one daughter, Katharine. Mr. Seippel's life is one well worthy of the emulation of the younger generation of today, when so many of our young men have to make their own way in the world. He is one of Dubuque's best and most successful citizens.
WILLIAM HEITZMAN, well-known contractor of Dubuque, spe- cializing in the erection of fine private residences, is a native of Baden, Germany, born October I, 1863, and is a son of George and Catherine Heitzman. The father, a farmer by occupation, par- ticipated in the German Revolution of 1848, and died in 1882 at the age of fifty-four years. His widow yet survives him and resides with her son in Dubuque. William Heitzman, the immediate sub- ject of this memoir, attended the public schools of his native coun- try until fourteen years old, then learned the millwright trade and followed that business until his removal to America in 1884. For a year he was located at Brooklyn, New York, and then came west to Galena, Illinois, and two years later located in Dubuque. Here Mr. Heitzman started to work for Albert Nye as carpenter, with whom he remained two years, and then for one year was in the employ of Mr. Rheinfrank. In 1890 he and Mr. Rheinfrank en- gaged in contracting and building under the firm name of Rhein- frank & Heitzman, and upon the death of his partner Mr. Heitz- man continued the business alone. In 1908 he admitted his son,
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY 669
William, Jr., to partnership and they continued together until Janu- ary 1, 19II, specializing in the erection of private homes. Mr. Heitzman is independent in politics, and a member of the Congre- gational church. August 25, 1887, he married Miss Christine Reif- stack, a native of Germany, and the daughter of Christian Reif- stack, who died in that country, and to their union the following named ten children have been born : Emma, at home; William, Jr., with Singer Sewing Machine Company; Louisa, cashier in Roshek department store; Hermann, butcher, with C. Kress; Carl, with Dubuque Brewing and Malting Company; Elsie, graduate of Ful- ton School in Dubuque; Walter, attending same; Esther, same; Roy, same; and Viola, five years old. Mr. Heitzman is one of Dubuque's public-spirited men and takes an active interest in any movement toward the betterment of his city and county.
PHILLIP SCHWINN, manager of the Smedley Pump Company, Dubuque, was born in Arcadia, Wisconsin, June 24, 1865, and is the son of Phillip and Mary Schwinn. The father was a native of Germany and came to the United States, locating in Pennsylvania, in or about 1835. Shortly thereafter he came to Dubuque, Iowa, but soon removed to a farm near Arcadia, Wisconsin, and there fol- lowed agricultural pursuits until his death in 1888, aged fifty-three years. His wife died in 1886, at the age of forty-seven years. Phillip Schwinn, Jr., the immediate subject of this review, assisted his father with the farm work and attended the public schools dur- ing boyhood. In 1887 he came to Dubuque and for a year was in the employ of Thomas Faherty as salesman of farm machinery. He then for a time was associated in a similar capacity with the D. H. Williams Company, and for the succeeding eight years was employed as helper in the Novelty Iron Works foundry, holding first the position of shipping clerk and eventually becoming fore- man. From 1897 to 1904 he acted as foreman and sales manager of the Iowa Iron Works, and later, when the concern became known as the Bonson Boiler & Furnace Company, he remained with them as erecting superintendent. He was then offered and accepted his present position as manager of the Smedley Pump Company, and has been thuis connected ever since. Mr. Schwinn is a member of the Brotherhood of Engineers and of St. John's Lutheran church, of which he has been trustee for nine years. He is also identified with the German Lutheran Synod. He married Miss Margaret Rubie, and she died January 5, 1910. Mr. Schwinn resides at 409 Windsor avenue, Dubuque.
DANIEL J. KENNEALLY, proprietor of the Troy Laundry, 130 Seventh street, Dubuque, was born in this city August 27, 1886, the son of John and Ellen Kenneally. The family came from Ireland, Daniel Kenneally and wife, Hanora, the parents of John Ken-
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neally, coming to America in 1840, and locating at Bennettville, Iowa. Here John Kenneally was born in 1844, and after the sale of the home farm he came to Dubuque and followed his trade of blacksmith. He died in July, 1887, and was buried in Key West cemetery. His widow yet survives and makes her home with the subject of this sketch. Daniel J. Kenneally attended St. Raphael's parochial school until fourteen years old, then for seven years was in the electrical business. Succeeding this he embarked in the laundry business on Seventh street on a small scale, borrowing enough money to purchase the required machinery, and through hard work and honest dealings with the people has grown and pros- pered until his establishment today is regarded as one of the best of its kind in Dubuque, employing a working force of six persons In religion Mr. Kenneally espouses the beliefs of his forefathers and is a Roman Catholic, being a member of St. Raphael's Cathe- dral. He and his mother make their home at 105 Second street.
ABE URBACH, founder and one of the present partners of the Hub clothing establishment, Dubuque, has conclusively proved that life in a strange country can be made a success even though started under very adverse circumstances. He was born in Poland in the year 1865, and while yet very young, realizing that greater advan- tages could be had in America, immigrated to this country and for a time was located at Utica, New York. He came to Dubuque in 1878 when but thirteen years old, a comparative stranger to the language, customs and peculiarities of a strange people. He carefully saved his money and in 1889 had accumulated sufficient means to enable him to open a clothing store. By hard work and honest and con- scientious dealings with the people he prospered to such an extent that ten years later he removed to new premises on Main street, 52x113 feet, employing a selling staff of twelve people. In 1900 he admitted his brother, Milton Urbach, appropriate mention of whom immediately follows this, to partnership, and under their able man- agement the firm has grown and prospered and today is regarded as one of the solid and substantial commercial houses of Dubuque. In 1895 Abe Urbach was united in marriage with Miss Rose Nova, and they with their one son, Dalton, attending Lincoln school in Dubuque, reside at 891 Grandview avenue. Mr. Urbach has made a success of life and has the respect and good will of all who know him.
Milton Urbach, junior member of the Urbach clothing establish- ment known as the Hub, is a native of Poland, born in 1873, and a son of Hillel and Bailee Urbach, still living in Poland. He came to Dubuque when very young and received his education in the First Ward (Franklin) school, later attending also Bayless Business Col- lege. For a time thereafter he was employed in various clothing establishments in Dubuque, thoroughly mastering the details of that
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PAROCHIAL OLD SCHOOL HOUSE.
TRINITY PAROCHIAL SCHOOL.
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Trinity Catholic Church luxemburg
PAROCHIAL RESIDENCE.
CATHOLIC CONVENT.
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line of business, and in 1900 was admitted by his brother, Abe Urbach, to partnership in the Hub clothing establishment. He has since remained thus connected and due to their excellent business management and ability the concern has taken high rank among the commercial houses of Dubuque. Socially Mr. Urbach is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias and the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks. At Chicago, in July, 1908, he was united in marriage with Miss Mabel Nova, a sister of his brother's wife, and to them one daughter has been born, named Odell. The family residence in Dubuque is located at 759 Bhiff street.
PETER HOERR, vice president of the Wieneke-Hoerr Company, canners of vegetables and pickles, 850 Jackson street, Dubuque, is a native of Germany, born in the province of Hesse-Darmstadt, March 13, 1839, and the son of Philip and Eva (Wagner) Hoerr. The father, a farmer by occupation, died in Germany in 1870, aged sixty-three years, preceded by his wife in 1869, aged sixty years, and both are buried in the old country. Peter Hoerr attended the public schools of his native country during boyhood, completing his education when thirteen years old, and for a time assisted his father on the home farm. In 1865 he came to the United States to visit his brother, George Hoerr, a saloonkeeper in Dubuque, and for two years was employed in the Rhomberg distillery. From 1867 to 1889 he was manager of the Blinds & Beach soap manufacturing concern, then in partnership with Charles Perry embarked in the manufacture of soap in Montana. One year later, however, Mr. Hoerr returned to Dubuque and purchased an interest in the firm of Wieneke & Hohenadel, of which he was elected vice president. Several years later this firm was reorganized as the Interstate Pack- ing Company, continuing as such until 1896, when it became the Wiencke-Hoerr Company and has since operated under that name. The business of this concern is carried on throughout Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and Mr. Hoerr has retained the vice presidency thereof since his first connection. In political affairs he is independent, voting for the man regardless of party affiliation, and in religious views is a member of St. John's Lutheran church. On January 1, 1870, in Dubuque, he married Miss Minea Hook, daughter of Ernst and Liza (Hofmeister) Hook, pioneer farmers of Dubuque county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoerr one son and two daughters have been born, named Ernst Philip, sash, door and blind manufacturer of Chicago; Lena, residing in South Dakota, and Minnie Katherina, also of that state. The family home in Dubuque is located at 739 Julien avenue.
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