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 78
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MATHIAS MOES, for forty-five years a resident of Dubuque county, is a native of Luxemburg, Germany, his birth occurring January 21, 1846. He was reared to manhood in his native coun- try, receiving a practical education, and when twenty years of age crossed the ocean to the United States and has ever since made his home in Dubuque county. For ten years he was employed in the Rockdale mills, but immediately after the disastrous flood of July, 1876, at which time thirty-nine people lost their lives, he founded the business now conducted on the same site by his two sons, John and Anton. He continued in active business until Octo- ber, 1906, since which time he has been retired from the more active cares of life. In 1871 Mr. Moes married Anna Arnoldy, a native of Chicago, and ten children have been born to this union, as follows: Anna, married and living in Springfield, Illinois; John, who with a younger brother conducts the business founded by his father ; Margaret, single and residing with her parents: Charles, accidentally killed in a quarry: Mary, married and resides in Ot- tumwa, Iowa ; Dr. M. J., a practicing physician of Dubuque; Anton, associated in business with his elder brother, John; William, a clerk in the postoffice at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Fred, a bookkeeper in the Second National Bank at Dubuque, and Alvin, attending the Du- buque high school. Mr. Moes is a Roman Catholic in religion and an independent Democrat in politics. He has held several local positions of honor and trust and is one of the substantial men of the county.
THOMAS MERKES, one of the successful farmers of Liberty town- ship, is a native of the Prussian Government of Trier, Germany, born October 15, 1850, and a son of Michael and Lucia Merkes, both of whom died in the old country. He was educated in the National public schools and served for some time in the German army. In 1880 he immigrated to the United States, landing at New York City, and for a year was located at Dunkirk, New York.
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working during the summer months in a brickyard and in winter hauling lumber. He then came West to New Wine township, Dubuque county, Iowa, and here worked for two years. Succeeding this he rented the farm he now owns, 220 acres, in sections 26, 27, 34 and 35, Liberty township, and in 1905 purchased same from his father-in-law. This property he improved by erecting a modern home, five barns and necessary outhouses, and today it is regarded as one of the best and most productive farms in the community. Mr. Merkes follows general farming, and also deals extensively in cattle and hogs. He is a Democrat in politics, takes an active interest in local affairs of importance, and in religious views is an adherent of the Roman Catholic faith. On February 15, 1886, at Luxemburg, this county, he was united in marriage with Miss Catherina Heiderscheit. and to them these children have been born: Maria, died in infancy ; Susie, educated in parochial school ; Michael, Nicholas and Peter, assisting with the work on the home farm; Elizabeth, Clara, Mathilda, Johanna and Wilhelm, all of whoni have been reared in the Catholic faith. Mrs. Merkes is a daughter of John and Maria Heiderscheit, who were among the earliest settlers of the entire county. Dubuque was their nearest market place and they had to go to that city with a team of oxen for necessary provisions. The father died October 21, 1904, aged eighty-six years, and was preceded by his wife in August, 1874, aged thirty-seven years. Both are buried in the family lot at Luxemburg.
THOMAS T. CARKEEK, architect, with offices in the Lincoln Build- ing, Dubuque has been engaged at his profession in this city since 1891. He was born at Redruth, County Cornwall, England, on March 29, 1843. the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Carkeek, who came to America in 1849 and located in Wisconsin, where the father followed his trade of stonemason. He died in 1882, aged sixty-two years, and was followed by his wife in 1909, aged eighty- seven years. Both are buried in the cemetery at Dodgeville, Wis- consin. Thomas T. Carkeek was yet a very young child when brought to the United States, and received his education in the public schools at Dodgeville. He early studied and learned the cabinetmaker's trade, and then became a carpenter, working at that trade for eighteen years, or down to 1882. He then entered the employ of the Carr, Ryder & Wheeler Company as an architect. which profession he had learned from experience and theoretical . study, and had the distinction of being an entirely self-made archi- tect. He remained thus connected until 1891, and then opened an office at his present headquarters and embarked in business on his own account. Since then he has designed and erected over 200 private and public edifices, among the more prominent of whichi are the Second National Bank, the William Lawther Building, the
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Bell Bros. Building, the Presentation Convent and many others. Socially Mr. Carkeek is identified with the Masonic fraternity. On June 13, 1868, at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Jennie Keyes, daughter of Harvey and Louisa Keyes, both deceased and pioneer settlers of that locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Carkeek nine children, six of whom are living, were born, as follows : Bina, Alton R. and Clara R., deceased; Harvey T., department manager of James B. Clow & Co .; Jennie, the wife of J. C. Hinde, real estate and insurance dealer at Madison, Wiscon- sin ; Marjorie, married F. J. Cunningham, of Anamosa, Iowa; Eva M., a graduate of the Dubuque high school, and George C. and Edna C., also graduates of the Dubuque high school. The family residence is located at 128 West Eighth street.
FRED L. M. LUCHTERHAND, junior partner of the Keller & Lichterhand brick building contracting concern, located at 579 Windsor avenue, Dubuque, was born in the Province of Mecklen- burg, Germany, February 10, 1868, and is the son of Christ and Mary Luchterhand. The family came to America in or about 1876 and located in Dubuque, Iowa. Here the mother died February 4, 1905, at the age of fifty-nine years, but the father is yet living and resides in this city. active and in good health. Fred L. M. Luchter- hand spent one year in the public schools of his native country, and finished his education in the Audubon school of Dubuque, from which he was graduated when fourteen years old. Immediately thereafter he began the study of the contracting business with Christ Burdt, with whom he remained seven years, and afterwards was employed by various contracting firms until he, in partnership with Mr. Keller, engaged in the business under the firm name of Keller & Luchterhand. They are today regarded as one of the best firms in their line of business in the city, and have erected many fine buildings, public and private, among which are the Home for the Aged, the Casino, the N. J. Schrup residence and many others. Mr. Luchterhand is independent in his political views, voting for the best man regardless of party affiliation, and in re- ligious views is a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran church. On December 9, 1896, at Guttenberg, Iowa, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Block, a native of Glen Haven, Wisconsin, and to whom two sons have been born, named, Clarence, born January 10, 1899, and Carl, born March 4, 1904, both attending school. Mrs. Luchterhand is a daughter of Joseph and Louisa Block, the father dying March 22, 1875, and buried at Guttenberg, Iowa, and the mother yet surviving and residing in that city. Mr. Luchterhand and family reside at 579 Windsor avenue, Dubuque.
FRED TSCHUDI, traveling auditor for the Dubuque Brewing & Malting Company since its incorporation in 1892, was born in
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Dubuque October 25, 1851, the son of Joseph and Magdalene Tschudi. The father, a native of Switzerland, immigrated to America in 1844, locating for one year at St. Louis, Missouri, and then came to Dubuque, Iowa, where he resided until his death. He was a contractor and builder by occupation and for years followed that line in Dubuque. He died on August 5, 1875, aged sixty-five years, followed by his wife February 24, 1910, within four days of the great age of ninety years, and both are buried in Mount Calvary cemetery. Until fifteen years old Fred Tschudi attended the local parochial schools, and then until 1869 worked as an appren- tice in the cigarmaker's trade. Two years later he embarked in the manufacture of cigars on Ninth street, between Main and Locust, and remained thus engaged until 1876. He was then em- ployed as traveling auditor for the A. Heeb brewery until the A. Heeb Brewing Company was organized, and continued with the new concern. When the Dubuque Brewing & Malting Company was organized he still retained his position, and has remained with the concern down to the present time, a period of thirty-four years in all. Mr. Tschudi is vice president of the East Dubuque Supply Company, a member of the Dubuque Brewing & Malting Company, and of the Dubuque Realty Company. He is a Democrat in poli- tics and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic church. On October 25, 1876, he married Miss Caroline Heeb, who was a daughter of the old pioneer Anthony Heeb, of whom appropriate mention is made elsewhere in this publication. To Mr. and Mrs. Tschudi three daughters and six sons have been born, as follows : Maria Josephine, graduate of Dubuque high school; Clara Catherine, wife of Dr. Heles of Dubuque ; Maria Emily, at home ; Rudolph Joseph, book- keeper for East Dubuque Supply Company ; Fred Anton, machinist in C., M. & St. P. shops ; Robert Edward, clerk in the Hub clothing store: Albert Benjamin, attending St. Mary's high school; Leo Louis and Edmund Carl, attending same. The family residence in Dubuque is located at 2126 Couler avenue.
JOHN F. BREDE, proprietor of the Eagle Chemical Company, which was established at 165 Locust street, Dubuque, on May 17, 1910, is descended from one of the first German families to settle in Dubuque county. The pioneers, Frank and Christine Brede. were his parents. Frank Brede was brought to Dubuque by his father in 1842, at which time the city was little more than an Indian trading post and the surrounding country was rough and unsettled. Here he was reared and educated, and later in life represented the Schlitz Brewing Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The birth of John F. Brede occurred on March 30, 1866, and he was pri- marily educated in the local public and parochial schools. He subsequently took a commercial course in the Sacred Heart College
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at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, then returned to Dubuque and started as messenger boy, later becoming bookkeeper, in the Du- buque National Bank, where he remained two years. For the succeeding twenty-one years he represented as salesman the follow- ing concerns: Ryder Bros., Coates & Walters, Jolin Mehlhop & Son, and John T. Hancock & Sons. He then for three years was associated with Edward Peaslee in the ale brewing and cigar busi- ness, but disposed of his interests and became a partner in the Louis Lang liquor business, operating under the firm name of Brede & Lang Company, wholesale liquor dealers. In 1910 this association was dissolved and Mr. Brede founded the Eagle Chemical Company, manufacturing chemicals. and has been thus engaged ever since. He is a Democrat in politics, and socially is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the U. C. T., Catholic Order of Foresters, the Eagles, and the Dubuque Traveling Busi- ness Men's Association. To his marriage with Miss Nellie Wil- liams, solemnized in Dubuque, November 26, 1889, three daughters have been born, named Mabel, Helen and Estelle. Mrs. Brede is the daughter of V. J. and Mattie (Dean) Williams, the father com- ing to Dubuque in 1848 ; he served as postmaster four terms, County Treasurer two terms, and was proprietor of the V. J. Williams Implement Company. The Brede residence in Dubuque is located at 431 Alpine street.
GEORGE FRIEDMANN, who for many years farmed in Liberty township. Dubuque county, and who now resides at Alton, Sioux county, Iowa, was born in the state of Ohio, April 18, 1855, and is a son of the late Joseph and Catherine Friedmann, mention of whom is made in connection with the sketch of Anton Friedmann else- where in this publication. Early in life he came to Dubuque county, Iowa, with his parents, and was educated in the parochial schools and reared to manhood. He followed general farming and stock raising and was very successful in his business undertakings. Like his father before him, he took an active interest in the welfare of his community and was prominent in local affairs of importance. February 1, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Westendorf, a sister of Mrs. Elizabeth Friedmann, wife of the deceased farmer Anton Friedmann. To this union nine children were born: Joseph, born November 7, 1876, studied for the priest- hood, was ordained at Sioux City April 25, 1905, labored several years at Carroll, Iowa, died there February 2, 1910, and was buried at Alton February 5: Mary, wife of Fred Odenbrett, of South Dakota ; Anton, who died in 1883, aged one year; Jacob, a farmer near Alton, Iowa ; Paul, who died in 1891, aged three and one-half years; Anna, married to John Schneider, a farmer near Alton, Iowa ; Elizabeth, John, and Julia, at home. All of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. George Friedmann have been reared in the Catho-
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lic faith and are earnest members of that church. The Friedmann family is numbered among the pioneers of Dubuque county, coming here at a time when the country was in the primitive state, and by hard work has prospered generally and today bears the respect and esteem of all who know them.
JOHN B. NOEL, senior partner of the Noel & Wagner retail gro- cery establishment, Dubuque, with offices at 1850 Couler avenue, is a native of Dubuque county, Iowa, a son of John N. and Susanna Noel and grandson of the old pioneer, John B. Noel. The latter was a native of Belgium and came to America in 1825. He located in Dubuque at a very early date and was one of the county's pio- neers, experiencing all the trials and hardships of those times. In 1889 he passed away, aged seventy-eight years, and was buried in St. Catherine's cemetery. John N. Noel was born in Dubuque county and has known practically no other home. For many years he served on the local police force, was employed in the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul shops, and conducted the old Centennial House, one of Dubuque's early hostelries. He and wife are at present residing in Dubuque, having lived happily together for over forty years. John B. Noel was born August 3, 1872, at Gor- don's Ferry, and received his early education in the First Ward (Franklin) school, graduating also from the Dubuque high school in 1889. For a year thereafter he clerked in the John Wilson retail grocery, then went with the Farley & Loetscher Sash, Door & Blind Manufacturing Company as machine hand, remaining thus employed for thirteen years. Succeeding this, he again clerked in a grocery store, then returned to the Farley-Loetscher company two years, and afterwards was employed by the Knapp-Stone Com- pany, with whom he remained two years. A third time he returned to the Farley-Loetscher company, and in 1899 began clerking for Mettel Bros., wholesale and retail grocers, and remained with them until he and A. E. Wagner, an uncle, embarked in that line of business on Couler avenue in 1901. From a comparatively small beginning they have grown and prospered and today the Noel & Wagner concern is regarded as one of the best of its kind in the city. Mr. Noel is independent in politics, a Roman Catholic in religion, and a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Holy Name Society. On April 16, 1907. he was united in marriage with Miss Clara Bell Connolly, of Du- buque, and to them two sons have been born, named John Robert, born February II. 1908, and Joseph Willis, born March 29, 1910. Mrs. Noel is a daughter of John and Alice Connolly, pioneer farmers of Dubuque county, who died May 5, 1902, and March 28, 1896, respectively. Both are buried in Holy Cross cemetery, Du- buque. Mr. Noel is one of Dubuque's representative business men and bears the good will of all who know him.
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JOHN J. McCOLLINS, proprietor of the McCollins Express & Transfer Company, Dubuque, is a native of this city and the son of Barney and Jane McCollins. The father was a native of County Cavan, Ireland, and came to America and Dubuque in or about 1844, dying ten years after his arrival here, aged forty-five years, and followed by his widow twenty years later, aged sixty-five years. The father is buried in the Third Street cemetery and the mother in Key West. John J. McCollins was born in 1851, and received his primary education in the local public schools, later taking a course in Christian Brothers' College, which he left in 1865. Dur- ing the next five years he carried papers for the Dubuque Herald and learned the blacksmith trade, which he subsequently followed for ten years. In 1880 he established himself in the grocery busi- ness at the corner of Fifth and Main streets in partnership with J> J. Dunn, the present County Sheriff, continuing thus for seven years. The partnership was then dissolved, and Mr. McCollins conducted the business alone for one year. Then James M. Mc- Fadden was admitted to partnership, and some few months later Mr. McCollins sold out to his partner. In 1889 he located on government land in South Dakota, but shortly returned to Dubuque and established a buffet, which he conducted for five years. Dur- ing this time he also operated a teaming and transfer line which he still continues, and at the present writing is also engaged in the coal and wood business. The concern has grown extensively under Mr. McCollins' management and is one of the largest of its kind in the city. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of St. Raphael's Cathedral, and socially is identified with the Catholic Benevolent Society and the Modern Woodmen of America. On May 16, 1877, in Dubuque, he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Butler, and to them five children have been born, as follows: Louis B., in business with his father: Bernice M., graduate of Lincoln school and Visitation Academy : Genevieve M., attending Visitation Acad- emy; Marjorie M., a student in St. Joseph's Academy ; one child died in infancy. The family residence in Dubuque is located at 304 Julien avenue. Mrs. McCollins was the daughter of Patrick and Margaret Butler, who were pioneers of Hazel Green, Wis- consin, where for years the father followed mining and was a prominent citizen.
JACOB FRIEDMAN, farming on 237 acres of land in Liberty town- ship, has followed agricultural pursuits practically all his life, and has been unusually successful in this line of endeavor. He was born in Stark county, Ohio, April 27, 1848, and is a son of the old pioneers, Joseph and Catherine Friedman, who are appropri- ately represented elsewhere in this work. For a time during boy- hood he attended school in his native county, and after coming with his parents to Dubuque, county, Iowa, pursued his studies in
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the Liberty township district schools. He remained at home assist- ing his father until twenty-seven years of age, and then bought ninety-one acres of his present property to which as his means afforded he added until he acquired 237 acres of valuable farm land. This he has cleared and improved by hard work, erecting one of the finest modern residences in the township with barns and vari- ous outhouses to correspond. He follows general farming and also has about forty head of cattle, ten horses and some one hundred and thirty swine. He is a Democrat in national politics, but on local issues votes for the man who in his opinion is best fitted for public office without regard to party affiliation. In religious views he is an adherent of the Roman Catholic faith. On January 19, 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Crevir, daughter of one of Dubuque county's earliest white settlers, Joseph Crevir. He was of French descent and in 1832 came from Canada to Dubuque, Iowa. He secured and broke ground where the present market house of Dubuque stands, and on December 12, 1909, passed away, aged ninety-two years. To Mr. and Mrs. Friedman the following named children have been born: Joseph, cement con- tractor ; John, a carpenter, Dubuque; George, assisting his father ; Albert, same ; Clemens, in school; Mary, wife of Peter Pfoll, farm- ing in Concord township; Annie, Sister Mary Florentine, of St. Francis Convent ; Mathilda, at home; Theresa, Sister Mary Flor- ence of St. Francis Convent ; Frances, at home, and Mabel, attend- ing district school. These children have all been reared in the Cath- olic faith, and the family is well and favorably known throughout the county.
SINCE the days when Dubuque was a village her lumbermen have been a help to her, and every structure within her borders speaks in commendation of them and their labors. Conspicuous among the lumber establishments here during recent years has been that of Spahn & Rose Lumber Company, located at Eighth and Washington streets since its incorporation in 1904. Charles J. Spahn, president of this well-known concern, was born in Dubuque, May 22. 1872, the son of Peter and Sophia ( Franke) Spahn. Peter Spahn, who for years followed the occupation of a miner, came from the Grand Duchy of Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, to Amer- ica and Dubuque in 1845, and after an honorable residence of thirty- four years in this city died in 1879. His widow yet survives him, aged sixty-three years. The boyhood days of Charles J. Spahn were spent in attending the local public and parochial schools dur- ing winter months and in working in a saw mill in summer. When his education was completed he spent eight years perfecting his knowledge of the saw mill industry, and in 1890 accepted a position with the Carr, Ryder & Adams sash and door manufacturing con- cern, being promoted to the head of a moulding department and
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remaining thus engaged until 1896. He then was given charge of the cutting department, where he remained until 1900. The fol- lowing year, such was his knowledge of lumber, he was sent to the Pacific coast to buy factory lumber. While on the Coast his firm acquired an interest in a large saw mill proposition and he was made the general superintendent. He remained thus occupied until the organization of the Spahn & Rose Lumber Company, of which he was made president, and of which he has since been the active head. Due to excellent business management this concern has become one of the solid and substantial commercial institutions of Du- buque, and their business covers a field of three states. Aside from the above Mr. Spahn is a director of the German Savings Bank, is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and an adherent of the Roman Catholic faith. On August 8, 1893, at Dubuque, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Simon, the daughter of Carl and Anna Simon. Her parents were natives of Luxemburg, Germany, but immigrated to the United States in 1872 at the time of the French Revolution. Both died at Dubuque, the father on July 15, 1905, aged seventy-five years, and the mother October 25, 1908, when seventy-three years old. Their final resting place is in Mount Calvary cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Spahn four children have been born, as follows: Fred, died in March, 1895, aged eleven months; Irene A., attending St. Mary's Academy at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; Marie G., student at St. Joseph's Academy, Dubuque, and Charles S., three years old. Mr. Spahn is a Democrat in his political views, and the family residence is located at 2565 Couler avenue.
DR. JOSEPH HENRY SCHRUP is one of the successful and well- known physicians and surgeons of Dubuque, and although but a comparatively short time here, has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice. Joseph J. and Wilhelmina (Strueber) Schrup, his parents, were natives of the Duchy of Luxemburg, and Germany, but left the old country and immigrated to the United States, settling on a farm in Mosalem township, Dubuque county, lowa, in 1856. Subsequently the family removed to the city of Dubuque, where the father was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He is now retired from the activities of life. The mother passed away January 9, 1902. Dr. Joseph H. Schrup was born in the city of Dubuque, February 3. 1882, and after attending the public grammar school, entered and in 1900 was graduated from the high school. The succeeding four years he attended the Northwestern Medical College at Chicago, and upon his graduation therefrom in 1904 served until 1906 as interne on the medical and surgical staff of Mercy Hospital, Chicago. He then returned to Dubuque, where he has since resided, commanding the respect and good-will
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