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 76
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RUDOLPH JONES, for the past quarter of a century successfully engaged in carpenter contracting in Dubuque, with offices and residence at 1029 Rhomberg avenue, was born at Crete, near Chi- cago, Cook county, Illinois, August 3, 1855, the son of John and Elizabeth Jones. John Jones, who changed the name from Joens to Jones, was a native of Holstein, Germany, and came to America in 1853, locating in Dubuque, Iowa, about three years later. He was originally a contractor by occupation, but later took up and for thirty years engaged in farming in Table Mound township. Both he and wife are now living in Dubuque, eighty years of age, retired from the active cares of life, and on April 4, 1904, they celebrated their golden wedding in this city. Before coming to the United States Mr. Jones was a member of the German army, and he saw active service in the international struggles of that country. Rudolph Jones came with his parents to Dubuque when very young. He assisted his father in carpentering, and also remained some nine years on the home farm in Table Mound township. In 1878, when twenty-three years old, he came to the city of Dubuque,
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and after working as a journeyman carpenter for a time, embarked in the contracting business on his own account, and has ever since been successfully engaged in that line of business. He has erected many of Dubuque's fine commercial houses and private residences, churches and public buildings, among which are the Masonic Tem- ple and German Lutheran Church of Emanuel. Mr. Jones is a Republican in politics and for eight years, 1898 to 1906, served as Alderman-at-large, and in religious views is a German Lutheran. November 28, 1883, at Earlville, lowa, he married Miss Elizabeth Werkmeister, and three children have been born to them, named, Ula ; Richard, engaged in life, fire and accident insurance business in Davenport, Iowa ; and John F., now studying law. Mrs. Jones was the daughter of Finton and Juditha Werkmeister, natives of Baden, Germany, and pioneer settlers of Dubuque.
ALEXANDER SIMPLOT, the oldest of the living native-born citizens of Dubuque, in fact in the state of Iowa, first saw the light of day on January 5, 1837. His father, Henry Simplot, was born in Besan- con, France, in the year 1800, and when twenty-two years old married Miss Susan Le Clair, with whom, at an early date, he immigrated to America. They first located in Chicago, where they started to erect a home, but disposed of this and removed to Nauvoo, Hancock county, Illinois, this being before the Mormons settled there. In 1836 they came to Dubuque, then little more than a frontier settlement, and purchased a lot at the corner of what is now Main and First streets, where for many years the father engaged in the mercantile business. As his business grew he added the buying and selling of grains, pork packing, etc., and during Dubuque's early history was one of the leading business men. He passed away in 1846, a member of the first Board of Aldermen under Mayor Booth, the first Mayor, and was buried in the Catholic cemetery, but when his wife died in 1877 his remains were taken up and laid beside her in the family lot in Linwood cemetery.
Early in life Alexander Simplot displayed considerable talent as an artist and portrayer of landscape scenes, but this profession was looked down upon by his friends, and his relatives sought to discourage him. But the ability and instinct to draw were born in him, and niany valuable scenes have been preserved through his talented efforts. Mr. Simplot was unusually well educated, being a graduate of Union College, New York, and a student for two years at Mount Morris, Illinois, where he was a classmate of Sen- ator Cullom and Mr. Rawlins, who was Secretary of War under President Grant. When, in answer to President Lincoln's first call for volunteers in 1861, the troops were embarking on the Al- hambra for Cairo, Illinois, Mr. Simplot made a sketch of the scene. and sent same to Harper's Weekly. This was published and he at
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their request went to Cairo as war correspondent. He was also appointed assistant engineer in the War Department and was thus enabled to portray many of the battles and engagements on the Mississippi river. His sketch of the battle of Memphis was the only one taken at the time of the actual battle. At the close of the war he returned to Dubuque and in 1866 was united in mar- riage with Miss Virginia Knapp. To them the following children were born: Ella (Tschirgi) ; Mary A. (Metz) ; Frank, deceased ; Harry A .; LeRoy B. : Julian D. ; Alvin R., and Orville G. Mrs. Simplot departed this life in 1904 and now lies at rest in the family lot in, Linwood cemetery. At the time of his marriage Mr. Sim- plot took active charge of his dry goods establishment, which he successfully conducted for some time, but subsequently disposed of his interests and embarked extensively in the buying and shipping of grain. He also owned considerable real estate properties in Dubuque and elsewhere. In religious views he is an adherent of the Presbyterian faith. He is secretary of the Dubuque County Old Settlers' Association and secretary of the Julien Dubuque Monument Association. As a good man, a loving father, and an honest citizen he stands second to none in the county.
GEORGE COLLIS, president of the Collis Company, Dubuque, is a native of England, his birth occurring April 26, 1852, and a son of George and Tamer (Palmer) Collis. Early in life he lost his father, and what schooling he received was managed by the mother. When eleven years old he became an apprentice to the copper- smith's trade, and in 1869 brought his mother and two sisters across the ocean to Hamilton, Canada, where for two years he worked at his trade. He then entered the employ of the Canada Southern Railroad Company as coppersmith at St. Thomas, but in 1876 he embarked in the plumbing business on his own account. Dull times followed the exposition in that city and he secured employment with the Grand Trunk Railway at Hamilton, Ontario. but in 1891 he came West to Rockford, Illinois, and helped to organize the Andrews Iron & Wire Works, of which concern he was secretary for thirteen years. In 1907 he disposed of his inter- ests and joined his sons in Dubuque, Iowa, putting considerable money into the concern, of which he has been for some time presi- dent. In 1873 Mr. Collis was united in marriage with Miss Thirza Dallyn, and these children have been born to them: Nor- man P., Harold G., Oliver D., Florence M., living, and Frank B. and Herbert G., deceased. In 1898 Mrs. Collis passed away, and two years later Mr. Collis married Miss Isabella Dallyn, a cousin of his former wife. One of Mr. Collis' remarkable characteris- tics is his great love of children and his associations with them. He was reared in Sunday school work, is a teacher in the Congre- gational Sunday school, and to this day delights in gathering
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young people about him and studying with them. In politics he is a firm believer in the Progressive movement. Socially he is iden- tified with the Royal Arcanum, the Ancient Order of Foresters and the Masonic fraternity, of which latter organization he is a Royal Arch Mason. He is very positive in his convictions that alcoholic beverages are a curse to humanity. His library and garden are his chief pleasures.
JOSEPH GEHRIG, who died April 13, 1885, was a notable man in the early annals of Dubuque and had a remarkable career. He was born in Canton St. Gallen, Switzerland, in 1819, and when a young man immigrated to the United States. He landed at New Orleans in June, 1844, remained there a short time, and then worked his way by boat to Galena, Illinois, which was at that time the principal distributing point for the Northwest. He came to Dubuque in that year; there were but four brick buildings in the place at that time. He worked in P. E. Lorimier's stone quarry for fifty cents a day and chopped wood for thirty cents a day. When the Mexican War broke out he, desiring to enlist, walked to Galena three times to meet the recruiting officer, but never found him and was therefore denied the privilege of satisfying his ambi- tion for a military life. The news of the discovery of gold in California next fired his imagination. In 1849 he joined a com- pany and with ox teams started on the six months' journey over- land across the plains. Three hundred miles this side of the Rocky Mountains their cattle died and the remainder of the trip was made on foot with incredible hardships. Upon their arrival at Sacramento they found it a place consisting of a few tents. The first work he did there was the digging of the first two cellars that were ever dug in Sacramento. For this work he received $120. Then, after paying a debt of eighty dollars, he "grub- staked" himself with the remainder and started mining for himself. He staked out a claim in the vicinity of Captain Sutter's discovery and was successful. He remained there until 1851, and then re- turned to the States via the Isthmus of Panama and was compelled to walk from ocean to ocean tinder a tropical sun. Upon arrival at New York he had decided to visit his native land, but changed his mind and returned to Dubuque, traveling by rail to Elgin, which was then the western terminus of the road, and the remainder of the distance by stage. Here he bought the ground upon which the Jefferson House now stands and which was then an Indian mound. In order to erect the hotel he thought an excavation of thirty-two feet was necessary, and in this excavation, in a rudely constructed coffin, was found the body of O'Connell, who was the first man hanged in Dubuque county. His offense was the murder of his mining partner in order to obtain sole control of their dis- covery. Mr. Gehrig erected the hotel and it became one of the
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most noted hostelries of early times. He began building in 1852, but did not complete it before 1854, when it was first opened to the public. All the hardware and glass had to be brought from Chicago. He accumulated considerable property and was ac- counted wealthy.
In 1851 he married Ursula Kiene, a sister of the late Peter Kiene ; she died in 1872. They became the parents of six children : Mary, Paul, Henry, Lena, John, and Joseph. Before building the Jefferson House Mr. Gehrig conducted the old Farmers' Home on Clay street. The Jefferson House has always been owned and operated by the Gehrigs.
Of the foregoing children Henry Gehrig is the present proprietor of the hotel. He was born in Dubuque, April 3, 1864, attended the public schools during boyhood, aided his father in operating the hotel, and upon the latter's demise took charge of the estate, and in 1893 became proprietor of the hotel, which he has since managed. As was his father before him, Henry Gehrig is a Demo- crat in politics and an active worker in the ranks of his party. The elder Gehrig served in the City Council when Messrs. Turck and Graves occupied the office of Mayor of Dubuque. On May 29, 1893, Henry Gehrig married Miss Mary Schrup, daughter of Joseph and Wilhelmina Schrup, and they have five children : Joseph, Paulina, Lucile, Rosaline and Paul.
HERMAN BRINKMAN, deceased, long a resident of Dubuque, was born in Germany in 1829, and when twenty-one years old crossed the Atlantic ocean to America. He first located in Cleveland, Ohio, where for two years he worked at his trade of cabinetmaker, and in 1853 came to Dubuque and embarked in the cabinet and furniture business at the corner of Ninth and Main streets. In 1861 he opened a pork packing establishment on Eighth street between Main and Iowa streets, which he conducted successfully for a period of fifteen years. He then disposed of his interests and entered the grocery business at the corner of Seventeenth and West Locust streets, later removing to Sanford and Windsor avenues, where he remained until his death in 1888. To his marriage with Miss Xararia Kleiner, daughter of Joachim Kleiner, pioneer farmer of Dubuque county, four children were born as follows : Oscar, Mary, Herman W., and Ida, now Mrs. Meisch. Mrs. Brinkman died in 1909 and was laid at rest beside her husband in Mount Calvary cemetery. Of the above named children Herman W. Brinkman received his scholastic training in the local public and parochial schools, and at the age of twenty, in 1888, entered his father's gro- cery establishment, learning thoroughly the details of that line of work and eventually succeeding to the business. As a Democrat in politics he was elected City Treasurer in 1902, holding that office until 1910, when, in partnership with Thomas Federspeil, he pur-
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chased the wholesale and retail cheese establishment of the A. Hasel estate. Under their management this business has since been greatly increased and is now regarded as one of the solid and sub- stantial commercial houses of the city. On April 4, 1895, Mr. Brinkman was united in marriage with Miss Theresa A. Frey, and one son, Joseph, has been born to them. They are also rearing Carl and Leo, sons of Mr. Brinkman's brother-in-law. Mr. Brink- inan is a Catholic in religion, and is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and of the St. Aloysius Society.
ANTON FRIEDMAN, deceased, for many years prominently identi- fied with the farming interests of Dubuque county, was a native of the state of Ohio, born October 14, 1844, a son of Joseph and Katherine Friedman. He came with his parents to Dubuque county, Iowa, in 1856, and for a time attended the New Vienna school. Joseph Friedman died in 1883, aged sixty-nine years, and was buried in Luxemburg; his wife died in 1860 and is buried at New Vienna. Shortly after his marriage Anton Friedman farmed on rented land, and later bought 120 acres which he improved. In 1882 he sold this and purchased 160 acres, six years later adding another 80 acres to his holdings, and by hard work he brought his property to a high state of cultivation. He gradually prospered and became one of the foremost men of his community. July 20, 1900, he passed away and his loss was mourned generally through- out the county. On February 18, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Westendorf, who was born July 31, 1849, in Maryland, the daughter of Joseph and Catherine Westendorf. Her parents came to Dubuque county at an early date and here engaged in farming. To them were born these children: Mary, the wife of Herman Sassen, retired farmer of Adrian, Minnesota; Cather- ine, married George Friedman, retired farmer of Alton, Sioux county. Iowa; Anna, wife of John Stalzer, farming in Marshall county, Iowa; Theresa, wife of Henry Pottebaum, farming in Liberty township; Bernardina, married John Hoefler, of West- phalia, Kansas, and Elizabeth, wife of Anton Friedman. Mr. Westendorf died April 10, 1890, aged seventy-one years, followed by his wife December 8. 1895, aged seventy-one years, and both are buried at Luxemburg. Mrs. Friedman attended the old Vor- wald school during her girlhood days, and resided at home until her marriage. She now resides on the old homestead, where she and her husband lived happily together for many years. To them were born the following named children: John J., died at the age of twenty-six, March 12, 1905, while studying for the priesthood, and is buried in the family lot at Luxemburg; Joseph, farming in Liberty township; Mary, who married John Pottebaum, a farmer of Millville township, Clayton county, Iowa; Jacob, pro- prietor of the Dyersville Automobile Company ; George, farmer of
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Clayton county ; Theresa, Sister Lucilla of St. Francis, Dubuque ; Henry J., at home ; Magdalena, residing at home ; William Anton, at home, and Anna M., a graduate of Luxemburg parochial school. Mr. Friedman always took an active interest in the growth and development of his section of the county and for years held the office of township trustee.
NICHOLAS JOHN BISENIUS, farmer and stock raiser, residing on section 27, Cascade township, is a son of Mathias and Ann Bisenius, natives of Germany, who immigrated to the United States in 1851 with their three children, Mary, Catherina and William. . The family first settled at Holy Cross, Iowa, but at an early period in the history of Dubuque county. Iowa, moved here and established a home on section II, Cascade township, taking up government land at $1.25 an acre. After their arrival in this country the parents had born to them five more children: Margaret, Nicholas, Anna M., Ellen, and Mathias. Mathias Bisenius was noted for his industry, honesty, his love of home and his veneration for the tenets of the Catholic church. He and wife are now dead. Nicholas John Bisenius was born (1856) in the township where he now resides and was here educated in the public schools and grew to manhood. After his father's death he rented the home farm, which he later bought of the heirs, and continued to reside there until 1880. at which time he moved to his present home. Mr. Bisenius is one of the foremost farmers and stock raisers in this locality, his Poland China hogs, high-bred Polled Angus cattle and registered Clydes- dale horses being particularly noteworthy. He is a Democrat in politics and has served as township trustee and school director several terms. In 1878 he married Miss Susan Sauser, who was born February 29, 1856, a daughter of John B. Sauser, of whom proper notice is given elsewhere in this volume. Fourteen children have been born to this union, as follows: John Albert, Mary Lucy, John Charles, Frank Peter, Rose Catherine, Mathilda M., Henry Michael, Clara Ann, Anthony Frank, Mary Theresa, Joseph M., Ida Celestine, Margaret Alvira, and Reginald Frank. The family are of the religious faith of their forefathers and belong to the Roman Catholic church.
FREDERICK I. MASSEY, deceased, was, during his long residence in the city of Dubuque, European manager for the Massey-Harris Company, of Toronto, Canada. He was born in Lockport, New York, May 2, 1842, a son of Isaac Frederick Massey. When the great struggle between the North and the South became imminent Mr. Massey answered President Lincoln's call for volunteers and joined the Union forces as a member of Company A, 105th New York Volunteer Infantry. being mustered in at Batavia, New York. Shortly thereafter he was transferred to the Ninety-fourth New
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York Volunteer Infantry, commissioned first lieutenant, and joined the famous Army of the Potomac. At the battle of Chancellors- ville, for valiant services, he was breveted major-colonel, and after a long and honorable service was discharged by the War Depart- ment of the United States Government at Yorktown, Virginia. He was wounded twice. At the conclusion of the war he re- enlisted in the regular army and was given charge of the Military Commission at Yorktown, where he remained four years, and by judicious attitude and shrewd tactics won many friends to "recon- struction." In 1869 he resigned from the army and came to Dubuque, immediately engaging as European manager for the Massey-Harris Company, and operating same from headquarters in Dubuque. Although ever taking an active interest in local affairs of importance, Mr. Massey always refused to hold office ; he was a Republican in politics and a member of the Presbyterian church. He was a memebr of the Masonic fraternity and of the Loyal Legion, in each of which he was prominent. On October 2, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Alleen L. Langworthy, of Dubuque, and she now resides in the old Langworthy mansion known as "Ridge Mount." In 1908 Mr. Massey passed away and his loss was mourned generally throughout the county. He died as he had lived, an honorable and respected man, and was greatly esteemed by all with whom he came in contact.
JAMES LYON LANGWORTHY, deceased, was one of the earliest white settlers to arrive in Dubuque county. He was born January 20, 1800, near Windsor, Vermont, and was a direct descendant of Andrew Langworthy, who came from England to America in 1630 and settled in New Haven. This family, in years past, has taken a prominent part in the wonderful growth and development of our country, assisting the colonies in the struggle for independence and in many other ways proving their love and loyalty for the land of their adoption. Until nineteen years of age James Lyon Langworthy remained on the old home place in Vermont, securing the limited educational advantages of the day as afforded by the country schools, and then, being possessed with a strong desire to see the West, he journeyed to St. Louis. He was of a roving disposition, however, and before long left there and, accompanied by his brother, Lucius H. Langworthy, came to Dubuque county, Iowa. It has been said that they were the first white men to settle in this locality after the death of Julien Dubuque. At that time the latter's earthly remains were found at rest in a small stone house near the river, reclining in a corner, with a pipe thrust between his teeth and his body adorned and surrounded by the various implements of the chase, after the usual manner of Indian burials. Mr. Langworthy had been told of the great mineral wealth of Dubuque county, and, guided by friendly Indians, explored the surrounding regions for
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several months without seeing a white face. He was an honest, fearless man, and by square dealing with the Indians gained their undying friendship and was given by them the title of "White Chief." For years he continued his mining and trading operations, and witnessed the rise of Dubnque from the primitive conditions in which he found it to be one of the great metropolitan cities of the Middle West. He was one of those sturdy pioneers who have done so much for America,-one of those who will live forever in the hearts and minds of all people. On March 17, 1840, he was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Miln, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and to them the following children were born: James Douglas ; Alleen L., widow of F. I. Massey; Herbert, deceased ; Augusta, and Clara, deceased. To many of the present generation the trials and hardships experienced and overcome by the early pioneers can scarcely be realized; it was theirs to do, and with hearts full of confidence in a God above and their own strong hands they gave America the start that subsequently made her the pre- mier country of the world. Such a man was James Lyon Lang- worthy. On March 14, 1865, he was summoned to the great un- known, and in 1907 he was followed by his wife, both now lying at rest in Linwood cemetery.
HORACE POOLE, Chief Deputy United States Marshal, Northern District of Iowa, and for fifty-two years a resident of Dubuque, was born in Danvers, Massachusetts, on December 18, 1836. His parents were Fitch and Mary (Poor) Poole, of English ancestry, the progenitors of the family in America being John and Margaret Poole, who came to this country in 1632, and settled in Newtown (now Cambridge), Massachusetts. The early life of Horace Poole differed but little from that of other boys in those days; after grad- uating from the high school of his native town he entered Kimball Union Academy at Meriden, New Hampshire, and upon the com- pletion of his course made a voyage to China for the purpose of learning navigation, returning in 1857.
The alluring possibilities of the new West attracted his attention and in 1858 he came to Dubuque with Aaron Bayless, the founder of Bayless' Commercial College, and remained with him until 1860, when he accepted the position of bookkeeper in the commission house of Smith & Cannon. At the breaking out of the Civil War he was a member of the Governor's Greys, a military company composed of young business men of the city, and upon the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 men he enlisted on April 20, 1861, and was enrolled a member of Company I. First Iowa Infantry. His first military experience was under General Nathaniel Lyon in Missouri, who was killed early in the battle of Wilson's Creek, August 10, 1861.
In 1862 he was appointed adjutant of the Twenty-first Iowa
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Infantry, but soon after taking the field was detailed as staff officer with General FitzHenry Warren, and later with General Banks commanding the Department of the Gulf. In February, 1864, he was appointed by President Lincoln an assistant adjutant general with rank of captain and assigned to General Warren, with whom he served until the spring of 1865, when he was ordered to Nash- ville and assigned to the staff of Major General Thomas, and was mustered out after the close of the war, in July, 1865. Upon returning to Dubuque he resumed his old position, but with change of firm, and on the death of the proprietor in 1870, a new firm was organized by some of the employees, under the firm name of Poole, Gilliam & Co., of which Mr. Poole was the active head for twenty years. Ever since the year 1898 he has been Chief Deputy United States Marshal for the Northern District of Iowa. There are but few men in northern Iowa more widely known or more universally respected. He has been a vestryman of St. John's Episcopal church for many years; is a member of Mosaic Lodge, A. F. and A. M., the Grand Army of the Republic and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion.
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