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 75
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JOHN F. REINOLD, with the firm Farley & Loetcher, Dubuque, was born in the city of Siegen, Germany, May 15, 1864, the son of Adolph and Mary Reinold. He received his education in the public and high schools of his native country, succeeding which he served a three years' apprenticeship to the stair-builder's trade. In 1884 he left the parental roof and came to the United States, first locating at Kansas City, Missouri, and then at Mayview, where he worked on the railroad. In 1885 he came to Waverly, Iowa, and secured employment in the Woodring Brothers' Furni- ture Factory, continuing thus until the early part of 1888. He then removed to Minneapolis and accepted a position as stair- builder with the Bartwell-Robinson Sash & Door Company, with whom he remained two and a half years. The summer of 1890 he returned to Dubuque and was offered a similar position with Far- ley & Loetcher, but in the spring of the following year he located in St. Paul, Minnesota. Shortly thereafter he again returned to Dubuque and the employ of Farley & Loetcher, but two months
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later went with the Carr-Rider & Adams Company, with whom he remained until 1907. For about a year thereafter he worked with different firms, then resumed his connection with the firm of Farley & Loetcher, with whom he has remained ever since. Most of Mr. Reinold's best work has gone to Des Moines, Iowa; Kansas City, Missouri, and Peoria, Illinois, and the finished and beautiful work on stairways in some of the more prominent buildings in those cities is of his workmanship. Mr. Reinold is an independ- ent Democrat in politics, and a member of the Woodmen of the World, Royal Order of Moose and the Carpenters' Union. On June 1, 1892, he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Schaff- hauser, daughter of Andrew and Christina Schaffhauser, the for- mer living and the latter dying in 1894. To this union four chil- dren have been born, named: Marcella, Elsie, Joseph and Dorothy, all living at home and attending school.
THOMAS KINGSLEY, for many years actively identified with pub- lic and private interests in and around Cascade, is a native of Buckinghamshire, England. His parents, John and Mary (Col- lins) Kingsley, together with their three sons, Thomas, Frederick William and Charles Joseph, came to the United States in 1855, and for a time farmed on land which is now part of the city of Cleveland, Ohio. In 1860 they moved to Cascade, Iowa, where a daughter, named Lois, was born the same year. They estab- lished a home in Spring Valley, Cascade township, and engaged in farming. Mr. Kingsley was a man of sound judgment and com- manded universal respect. He was a Republican, served as a member of the school board and township supervisor, and died in 1884, aged sixty-four years. Mrs. Kingsley died in 1881, when fifty-nine years old. Thomas Kingsley was born in 1849, and was but six years old when brought to this country by his parents. After attending the public schools in early youth he began clerk- ing in the store of Michael Snyder at Cascade, when fourteen years old, and thus continued seven years. The succeeding six years he worked for Fay & Croston, then with Crawford Brothers three years. In 1881 he embarked in the grocery business upon his own responsibility, adding dry goods to his stock later on. Owing to failing health, he ceased active business pursuits in 1888, but two years later became manager of the Cascade Mills, which he remodeled and converted into a high-grade roller mill. also resuming the grocery business. He continued in this manner until 1909, when he disposed of the grocery, purchased the mills, and with characteristic energy has improved the latter property until it is one of the best in the country. Aside from this, he is and has been identified with other public enterprises. He provided the equipment that furnishes lighting for the City Light & Power Company, operates a saw mill, owns a cement plant that has fur-
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nished cement building blocks entering into the construction of buildings, has dealt in ice since 1905, and has been a director of the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank since its organization. In religious affairs he has been actively identified with the Baptist church for a great many years, of which he is a deacon, and for twenty-three years has been superintendent of its Sunday school. He has served as secretary of the Modern Woodmen of the World for fifteen years, and is also a member of and secretary of the Mystic Work- ers. In 1873 Mr. Kingsley married Margaret, daughter of A. P. Hamil, an old settler of Cascade township. Mrs. Kingsley died in 1891, aged thirty-eight years, leaving two children: Myrta E. and Ida May. In 1895 Mr. Kingsley married Ida Weir, born in Iowa in 1868, a daughter of William and Melissa (Young) Weir. The four children born to this marriage are named : Thomas, Will- iam, Mellissa and Philip.
WILLIAM SCOTT WRIGHT, pioneer abstract of title man and real estate lawyer of Dubuque, is a native of Scotland, his birth occur- ring at Edinburgh, June 10, 1842. His parents were John Wright, M. D., and Helen Wright. He came to America and Dubuque county, Iowa, in the year 1850. Here he attended the public schools and Bayless Business College, succeeding which he took up the study of law, and was admitted to practice before the State Bar of Iowa in 1873. Shortly thereafter Mr. Wright engaged in the abstract of title and real estate law business, at which he has since continued. In 1880 he was united in marriage with Miss Agnes E. Aitchison, eldest daughter of John Y. Aitchison, D. D., of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and they make their home in the city of Dubuque.
ADOLPH G. SUMMERFIELD, engaged in the cleaning and dyeing business in Dubuque, is a native of this city and a son of P. H. E. and Bertha (Rauba) Summerfield. P. H. E. Summerfield was born in the Prussian Province of Brandenburg, Germany, in 1835, and came to America and Dubuque, Iowa, at an early period. In 1860 he established a cleaning and dyeing concern which he suc- cessfully operated for many years. In 1878 his wife died, leaving the following five children to mourn her loss: Minnie, Ewald, Bertha, Hattie (Snyder), and Adolph G. Mr. Summerfield remar- ried in 1879, taking for his wife Miss Louisa Freehoffer, who is yet living and residing in Dubuque. In 1904, when sixty-nine years old, Mr. Summerfield passed away and was buried in Lin- wood cemetery. Adolph G. Summerfield, the youngest of the children, was born on January 16, 1872. He was educated in the public schools of Dubuque and learned the cleaning and dyeing business under the tutelage of his father, eventually becoming proprietor of the concern. In 1895 he was united in marriage with
MRS. CHARLES HOLLNAGEL
CHARLES HOLLNAGEL
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Miss Maud Collings, daughter of Alfred Collings, a carpenter and builder, and they reside in a beautiful home at 1272 Freemont avenue. with their three children: Alfred, Rhoda and Virginia. Mr. Summerfield is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Modern Brotherhood, and he and family are communicants of the Epis- copal church.
WILLIAM ZUMIIOF, of the firm of Peter Kiene & Son, is a native of Dubuque and a son of the old pioneer, George Zumhof. The latter was born in Hanover, Germany, January 9, 1821, and came to America in 1845, first locating, for two years, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He then came to Dubuque, which at that time was little more than a frontier settlement with about 800 inhabitants. In 1849 Mr. Zumhof opened a small bakery on the corner of Fifth and Main streets, which he conducted four years, and then erected the Mississippi Hotel on White street, which he operated for a period of nine years. In 1852 he married Miss Mary Wilhelm, and ten children were born to them, the following seven now liv- ing: Mrs. F. H. Roedell, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; George, Jr., of Ballard, Washington; Mrs. Alex Allardyce, of Chicago; Mrs. K. Aslesen, of Minneapolis; Mrs. John Benz, also of Minne- apolis ; William, our subject ; and Mrs. John Neu, of Dubuque.
In 1902 Mr. and Mrs. Zumhof celebrated their golden wedding, at which time a family reunion was held. Mr. Zumhof was a pioneer member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he became a member in 1849, and also of the Masonic fra- ternity, of which he became a member February 28, 1856. During his long residence in Dubuque he voted for sixteen presidents of the United States, and with his passing, on April 6, 1908, the county lost a good and true citizen. The funeral services were conducted by the Dubuque Lodge of the Masonic Order.
William Zumhof was born July 10, 1871, and received his edu- cation in the public and high schools of Dubuque, and also attended a commercial college. His first employment was with Hosford & Gruner, with whom he remained five years, and he then spent four years with the Dubuque Rubber & Belting Company. For the last sixteen years he has been identified with the firm of Peter Kiene & Son, of which concern he is now a member. On May 10, 1901, he married Miss Anna Francis, of Lena, Illinois, and they have these children: Thomas W. (deceased), William, Jr., and Mar- guerite. Mr. Zumhof is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of De Molay Consistory, Clinton, Iowa.
CHARLES H. HOLLNAGEL, well and favorably known through- out Dubuque county, is a native of the Empire of Germany, his
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birth occurring April 14, 1835, and is a son of Carl H. and Johanna (Zievert) Hollnagel. Carl H. Hollnagel was born in the fatherland on May 9, 1806, and there resided with his family until 1861, at which time they crossed the Atlantic ocean to Amer- ica and journeyed west to Dubuque. After an honorable resi- dence of nearly thirty-five years in this county he passed away on April 12, 1895, and was laid at rest beside his wife in Linwood cemetery, she having preceded him in 1880. Charles H. Holl- nagel was educated and reared to manhood in his native country and served for a time in the German army. In 1860 he immi- grated to the United States, landing in New York City December 22, and with his brother came to Dubuque. Upon arriving here they had sufficient money only to purchase two axes, with which they went into the surrounding forests to cut wood at seventy cents a cord. The following spring these two boys sent for their parents, who arrived on May 6, 1861, and for whom they cared ever afterward. In 1865 Charles H. Hollnagel opened a cooper's shop, having previously learned the trade, and was thus engaged until 1877, when he put a superintendent in charge of affairs, and opened a general store, which he subsequently disposed of to his son-in-law in 1893. Mr. Hollnagel has been careful in business affairs, and by hard work and industry has accumulated a com- petency. He is a director of the Waterloo (Iowa) Casket Com- pany, where he has also large real estate properties. He was a trustee of St. John's Lutheran church, in which he has held mem- bership many years. Originally he was a Republican in politics, but now espouses the policies of the Democratic party in local affairs, having changed his views when the Iowa Republican party inserted the temperance plank in their state platform. He served as township trustee for a period of eight years, and as alderman of the Fifth ward from 1883 until 1887. To his marriage with Miss Fredericka Sass, a native of Germany, solemnized May 27, 1861, the following named children were born: Freda (deceased) ; Emma F., now Mrs. Morris Wilson: Carl H. (deceased) ; and Mathilda L. (deceased ). On August 15, 1909, Mrs. Hollnagel passed away, after a long siege of illness, and was buried in the family lot in Linwood cemetery.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BLOCKLINGER, cashier of the First Na- tional Bank of Dubuque, was born in this city January 1, 1864, a son of Gottfried and Ursula (Hilti) Blocklinger, appropriate men- tion of whom is made elsewhere in this publication. Benjamin F. Blocklinger received his education in the public and high schools of Dubuque, and on January 30, 1882, started as messenger boy in the First National Bank. Practically his entire life has been passed in connection with the banking industry, and by close atten- tion to business he carefully mastered the details of that line and
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has arisen to his present position. When twenty-four years old he entered the service of his country and served ten years with the Iowa National Guard, in which he attained the rank of major. When the Spanish-American war broke out, his command was ordered to the front, and saw active service during that struggle at Havana, Cuba. Mr. Blocklinger also served as captain of Com- pany A of the Governor's Greys, which was organized in 1887, and named in honor of the famous Governor's Greys who were the first company in the State of Iowa to offer its services to President Lincoln's call for volunteers to help preserve the Union. This old organization was widely known for its splendid service during the Civil war. Aside from his connection with the First National Bank, Mr. Blocklinger is treasurer of Finley Hospital, of the Lin- wood Cemetery Association and of the Dubuque Telephone Com- pany, and is treasurer and a director of the Dubuque Building & Loan Association. Socially he is identified with the Masonic fra- ternity, in politics is a Republican, and attends the Methodist church. On August 23, 1898, he was united in marriage with Miss Iola Brown, of Waterloo, Iowa, and they reside at No. I Coventry Court, Dubuque.
MICHAEL H. SAUSER, a member of one of the old and best known families of Dubuque county, is a retired farmer, and is now living in the town of Cascade. John B. Sauser, his father, was born in Luxemburg, Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, August 16, 1826, and in the year 1848 came to the United States and first located at Detroit, Michigan, where he worked at brickmaking. He remained there two years and then removed to Cascade town- ship, Dubuque county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming. That same year he married Mrs. Mary Kurt (her maiden name being Scheitler ), a native of Luxemburg, who was born in Krauten, Janu- ary 30, 1814, her first husband, Michael Kurt, having died in 1850. Year by year Mr. Sauser increased his farming domain until prior to his retirement he had accumulated an area of about 1,200 acres of the finest land in Dubuque county, and upon which he erected most substantial improvements in the shape of residence, barns and other buildings, and was a pioneer in farming on a large scale. About the year 1886 he disposed of much of his land to his children, moved to Cascade, and there lived retired from the more active duties of life until his death in 1906. His wife died June 13, 1897. They were the parents of the following family. Annie, residing at home in Cascade ; Susan, wife of N. J. Bisenius, of Cascade town- ship; Catherine, now Mrs. P. Pettinger, of Cumberland ; J. P. and Michael H., the latter two residing in Cascade. Michael H. Sau- ser was reared to manhood on the old home place and, as a boy, attended the village schools. He followed farming as an occupa-
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tion until 1891, then embarked in the lumber business in Cascade. He later disposed of this and is now practically retired from active business pursuits, his home being with his sister Annie.
FRED DOERRMANN, Dubuque's popular ladies' and gentlemen's tailor, is a native of the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, his birth occurring November 24, 1865, and the oldest son of Jacob and Barbara (Saam) Doerrmann. For many generations the male members of the family have followed tailoring, and Jacob Doerr- mann was no exception to this rule, but he also at one time tried farming and was so successful at it that he renounced the trade of his forefathers and ever afterwards engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is still living, but the wife died and is buried in the old country. Fred Doerrmann attended the public schools until his sixteenth year, and then spent two and a half years as an apprentice to the tailor's trade. He then went to Strasburg, Prov- ince of Alsace, where he worked at his trade a few months, and then took his card, as is customary among journeymen tailors of the old country, and started out on foot to further his ability by working in various tailoring establishments throughout the coun- try, keeping a record of every place in which he worked. For a time he was located at Zurich, Switzerland, making army officers' uniforms and citizens' clothing, and then went by rail to Geneva, where he remained two years, making also ladies' as well as gen- tlemen's clothes. Desiring to perfect himself in his life's work, Mr. Doerrmann went to Paris, France, the leading city in fash- ions, and there studied under the masters of his craft. He found employment in an establishment first at the Latin quarter and later on the Grand Boulevard, and there remained two years, after which he went to London and secured employment in the West End tailoring shops, having for customers members of the nobility of England. Following a short trip home, he immigrated to America, and after visiting relatives in Lansing, Iowa, went to Minneapolis and there worked until the fall of the panic. He then opened a tailor shop in Glenwood, Wisconsin, but found the place too small, and shortly afterwards, in 1894, came to Dubuque and embarked in his profession on Clay street. In August, 1910, he removed his offices to the sixth floor of the Bank & Insurance Building, occupying a suite of rooms and catering to the best of trade. Mr. Doerrmann, by reason of his long experience in the tailoring business, during which he has studied under the first men of the line in the world, conducts one of the best and most com- plete tailoring establishments in the city, and guarantees satisfac- tion to all his customers. In 1901 he married Miss Maria Wolpert, a native of Germany, and after a trip abroad they returned to Dubuque and have since made this city their home.
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WILLIAM C. MURPHY, of Dubuque, local representative for R. G. Dun & Co.'s Commercial Agency, was born at Galena, Illi- nois, November 11, 1876, one of six children born to the marriage of Terrence and Alice (Harris) Murphy. Terrence L. Murphy, his father, was a native of Troy, New York. He later came West to Galena, Illinois, and there engaged in mercantile pursuits until his removal to Dubuque in 1885. Here for fifteen years he was engaged in the cigar business, and in 1909 removed to Wilmont, Minnesota, where he has since been engaged in the harness busi- ness. Mrs. T. L. Murphy, his mother, was the daughter of Will- iam Harris, who came from England to America, about 1850, and settled at Galena, Illinois, later going to Idaho, where he engaged in mining. Shortly after finishing the local schools, William C. Murphy entered the employ of The Bradstreet Commercial Agency in 1889, remaining with them about two years. He then went with R. G. Dun & Co., and has ever since been identified with that firm. On November 1, 1902, he assumed management of their offices in Dubuque, with fifteen counties in Iowa and two in Illinois under his supervision. On June 16. 1900, Mr. Murphy was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth R. Rose, whose parents were Jacob and Katherine Rose, and who conducted a general store at East Dubuque, Illinois, many years ago. Three children have been born to them, as follows: Edith R., William C., Jr., and Robert D. Mr. Murphy is a member of the Dubuque Club and is one of the public-spirited men of the community.
FRANK J. KEARNEY, manager of the Western Union Telegraph office in Dubuque, was born in this city November 28, 1870, a son of the old pioneers, Michael M. and Mary (Griffin) Kearney. Michael M. Kearney was born in New York state in 1838, and was of Irish descent, his parents coming to America at an early date. Early in life he attended the public schools and learned the car- penter trade, and in 1859 went to Montreal, Canada, where he remained two years. He then returned to Waddington, New York, and when the government was plunged into war, and all patriotic men were urged to come forward to maintain the union of the states, the stirring call met with an answer from Mr. Kearney, who enlisted with the Eighty-third New York Volun- teers, which command was later consolidated with the Ninety- seventh, and he served throughout that entire struggle as a mem- ber of the Army of the Potomac. He was wounded five times, twice seriously. At the battle of the Wilderness he lost an eye and during another engagement was struck in the leg by a bullet which splintered the bone and rendered him somewhat crippled in after life. In 1865 he was honorably discharged, and came to. Dubuque, his people having removed to this city during the war. Here he worked at his trade of carpenter, and in 1868 was mar-
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ried to Miss Mary Griffin, a native of Ireland. To them were born: Frank J .; Katherine (Mrs. D. U. Murphy) ; May (Sister Mary Amabilis of the Sisters of Charity, B. U. M.) ; Agnes; and Joseph (deceased ). Frank J. Kearney, the oldest of the children and the immediate subject of this memoir, received his education in the local parochial schools and under private tutors. He also attended Bayless Business College and learned telegraphy, at which he has been engaged ever since. He is at present manager of the Western Union office in Dubuque. In 1902 he was married to Miss Effie Adams, who is descended from Rev. Robert Cushman, of Colonial fame, and to them Francis A. and Mary Adella have been born. It was Robert Cushman who, with Governor Carver, chartered the Mayflower, which brought the first Pilgrims to America, in December, 1620. He himself came in 1621, and after having been here a few weeks, preached a sermon on "Sin and the Danger of Self-Love." It is the oldest sermon extant, delivered in America. Mr. Kearney is a member of the Knights of Colum- bus, is a Roman Catholic in religious views, and one of the pro- gressive and public-spirited men of the county.
JOHN SPENCER, architect, with offices in the Bank & Insurance Building, Dubuque, was born a subject of the British crown, his birth, occurring at York. December 26, 1856. Thomas and Anna (Armstrong) Spencer, his parents, were natives of Scotland, but lived the greater part of their lives and died in England. After attending the public schools, John Spencer entered Cambridge Uni- versity, but did not, however, complete his course in that institu- tion. In 1877 he was graduated from South Kensington Art Institute, and for ten years thereafter followed his trade of archi- tect in Great Britain. After coming to America and Dubuque, Mr. Spencer was for a time identified as junior member with the firm of W. W. Boynton & Company, designers and architects, which concern erected the Bank & Insurance Building in Dubuque. He then spent two years in Chicago, after which he returned to Dubuque, and has here been ever since actively engaged at his profession. Among the more prominent structures erected by Mr. Spencer are the following: Iowa Trust & Savings Bank, German Trust & Savings Bank, Young Women's Christian Association Building, Carnegie-Stout Library, Iowa Telephone Building, Eagle Point Park Pavilion, Pavilion at Tri-State Fair, Glover & Company warehouses and offices. German Presbyterian School, Carr-Ryder & Adams factory, warehouses and offices, St. Luke's parsonages, and the F. D. Stout and many other private residences of note. He also built St. Peter's School at Keokuk, Iowa. So- cially, Mr. Spencer is identified with the Benevolent and Protect- ive Order of Elks and the Anglican Society, being secretary of the latter organization. To his marriage with Miss Marcia Cynthia
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Pomeroy, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Pomeroy, of Chi- cago, one son and two daughters have been born, named: John Armstrong, attending the Prescott School; Marcia Catherine, and Elizabeth Ward. Mrs. Spencer is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The family residence is at 1025 Locust street.
WILLIAM CRAFT was born January 15, 1854, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Schaeffer ) Craft, of whom proper mention is made in the biography of George W. Craft, appearing elsewhere in this work. William Craft was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the public schools. In 1881, while in Cass county, Iowa, he married Estella Pence, who was born in Brown county, Ohio, March 3, 1859, daughter of Samuel and Fannie ( Payne) Pence. He later moved to Linn county, Iowa, but eventually returned to Dubuque county and established a home, where he now resides. Mr. Craft is known as one of the progressive, mod- ern and successful farmers of this county, and his graded stock have attracted wide attention. Besides his present farm, he is the owner of a half section of land in Barnes county, North Dakota, an interest in the creamery at Fillmore, and other properties in various localities. Mr. Craft is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, the Eastern Star, and the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a Republican in politics. To Mr. and Mrs. Craft the following named children have been born: Samuel, an undertaker residing in Montana: Charles, engaged in mining in South Dakota; George, a farmer of North Dakota: William ; Stanley ; Sidney ; Melvin ; Estella ; and Celia.
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