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 81
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JOHN HENRY VON DER HEIDE, living a retired life at New Vienna, was born at Oldenburg, Germany, November 1, 1835, and is a son of Bernard and Katherina, both of whom lived and died in the old country. He attended the German public schools and carly in life served an apprenticeship to the cabinetmaker's trade, which he followed for a time. On April 15, 1864, he joined the German army and for seven years was a member thereof, seeing three years active service and four years on the reserve force. In 1869 he immigrated to America, landing at New York city, and came directly west to New Vienna, Iowa, which place has since been his home. For years he followed the trade of carpenter con- tractor, and nearly every residence in the village of New Vienna has been erected by him. From 1882 to 1890 he followed mer-
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cantile pursuits, and during this time conducted also an undertaking establishment, manufacturing by hand all caskets, of which he sold seven hundred and eighty-four. Mr. Von Der Heide invested his money in real estate properties in and around New Vienna, and has acquired a competency. He is a Democrat in his political views and a Roman Catholic in religion. He is also a member of the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Association of the State of Iowa. On January 24, 1864, in his native country, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaretta Dickstahl, who died Decem- ber 15, 1885, and is buried in St. Boniface Cemetery, New Vienna, Iowa. To them were born the following named children: Frank, deceased, born on the voyage to America; Frances, died in 1878 and is buried at New Vienna; August C., residing in the state of Washington ; Mary, wife of Joseph Erdmann; Louis, of Reliance, South Dakota; Henry, conducting a buffet in Dubuque ; Bernard, clerking; and Frances, widow of George Steinl, who was acci- dentally killed in 1908 by a falling tree. Mr. Von Der Heide retired from active participation in business affairs in 1908 and has since resided in New Vienna, highly respected by all who know him.
OTTO FERNANDO LANGE, general agent at Dubuque for the Royal Union Mutual Life Insurance Company of Des Moines, Iowa, was born in this city, February 16, 1869, the son of Robert W. and Ottilie (Lange) Lange, both of whom were natives of Berlin, Germany. Robert W. Lange participated in the German Revolution of 1848, which caused his removal to Vienna, Austria. In 1854 he came to America and two years later to Dubuque, where he engaged in brick contracting and building. In 1860 he enlisted in Company K, Seventeenth Missouri Volunteer In- fantry, and served to the end of the war as a Union soldier. He returned to Dubuque after that memorable struggle and resumed his occupation as a contractor. In later years he opened a grocery establishment on Lake street, now Garfield avenue, which he con- ducted for over twenty-five years, or until his death in 1900. His wife also died that year. To them were born these children: Hugo A., a jeweler at Little Rock, Arkansas; Otto F., the subject of this sketch : Selma wife of John W. Taylor, comptroller for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, at Chicago; and Hulda, the wife of George L. Smalley, of Los Angeles, Cali- fornia. Otto F. Lange, whose name heads this sketch, received his education in the Dubuque public and high schools, succeeding which he became bookkeeper for Ryder Brothers, wholesale grocers, for one year, after which he traveled for Glasser & Bradley, cigar dealers, and for various other firms. In 1907 he received the appointment of general agent for northeastern Iowa for the Royal Mutual Life Insurance Company of Des Moines, Iowa, and he has been thus connected, with offices in the Bank and Insurance build-
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ing, ever since. In 1892, Mr. Lange was united in marriage with Miss Lyde Brendel, of Galena, Illinois, and to them Harvey, Philo and Neva have been born. The family are communicants of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. Lange is active in church and social circles. Mr. Lange is identified with several social and benevolent organizations, among which is the Chicago Athletic Association of Chicago. His residence is at 1344 Locust street.
ANTON DREXLER, one of the representative business men of Dyersville, where since 1895 he has been engaged in the general mercantile business, was born near this city, March 4, 1867, and is a son of John and Mary (Heusler) Drexler. The father came from Bavaria, Germany, to the United States in 1853 and located on a farm of a hundred and sixty acres in Delaware county, Iowa. There he lived and farmed until coming to Dyersville in 1853. He died in October, 1896, followed ten years later by his wife. To them were born the following named children: Matt and Annie, who died at age twenty-one; John, retired farmer, residing in Dyersville; Katie, the wife of C. Kramer, farmer; Rev. Joe Drexler. Catholic priest at Norway, Iowa: George, grocer at St. Louis ; August, Catholic priest at Neola, Iowa : Mary, who married Nicholas Jekel, of Independence, Iowa ; Anton, subject ; and Frank. Anton Drexler finished his scholastic training at Dyersville when twelve years old, and assisted his father in farming until of age. He then farmed on rented land for two years succeeding, when he came to Dyersville and for three years clerked in the Bagge hardware store. He then entered the Goerdt Brothers mercantile establishment and remained thus engaged eight years. In partner- ship with John Koelker he embarked in the general mercantile business, but six years later, when the store burned down, he engaged in that line of business alone and has been very successful. He is a Democrat in politics, but has never aspired to hold office. In religious views he is a Catholic and a member of the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Association of the State of Iowa. Feb- ruary 28, 1889, at Dyersville, he was united in marriage with Miss ยท Annie Goerdt, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Goerdt, pioneer farmers of Delaware county. To this union have been born seven children : Albert, in father's store; Charles, same ; Rosa, at home; Emil, with father; Frances, attending school ; Alma, also in school ; and Edward, six years old. The Drexler family are highly regarded in the community where they reside.
EUGENE TRAUB, of the firm of Traub & Felgner, real estate and insurance dealers and makers of abstracts of titles. Dubuque, was born May 8, 1858, in the kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany. the son of Emil Traub, a Lutheran pastor. He was educated in the
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German schools and came to Dubuque, Iowa, in February, 1882, entering the abstract office of Wright & Company, with whom he remained until 1900. He then for three years engaged in the same line of business on his own account; in 1903 he admitted Emil Felgner to partnership and the business was continued under the firm name of Traub & Felgner, with offices in the Bank and Insur- ance building. To his marriage with Miss Clara M. Brandt, of Dubuque, one son, Eugene, Jr., attending Dubuque high school, lias been born. Mr. Traub is a member of the Lutheran church and in politics is independent.
EMIL FELGNER, member of the firm of Traub & Felgner, dealers in real estate and insurance and makers of abstracts of titles, is a native of Lengefeld, Kingdom of Saxony, Germany, born July 13, 1866, and the son of Frederick and Christina Felgner. His early education was acquired in the Saxon schools, and after coming to America he continued his studies at Waverly, Iowa, and in Bayless Business College, Dubuque. For a time he was in the employ of the John T. Hancock Company, dealers in groceries, and on Janu- ary 1, 1903, became associated with Eugene Traub under the firm name of Traub & Felgner. To his marriage with Miss Lizette Jeoffrey, of Dubuque, one daughter, Ruth, now a student in St. Joseph's Academy, has been born. Mrs. Felgner is a member of St. Mary's Catholic church and Mr. Felgner is a Lutheran. He is independent in politics.
THEODORE SCHEMMEL, of Dyersville, was born at New Vienna, Dubuque county, Iowa, June 16, 1852, and is a son of Henry and Mary Schemmel. The father came from Germany to America, locating first in Ohio and later coming to New Vienna, this county, with his brother. He here farmed 200 acres of land and also engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods. He died at the age of forty-five years, followed by his wife in the fall of 1907, and both are buried in St. Boniface cemetery. Theodore Schemmel attended the parochial school at Dyersville and later took a college course at Dayton, Ohio. In 1868 he returned to the old homestead and assisted his mother in the management of the farm until 1871. He then bought a farm of 120 acres near Worthing- ton, Dodge township, and about five years later purchased another 150-acre tract. He engaged in farming and stock raising and improved his property, which as time passed on increased in value. In 1900 Mr. Schemmel came to Dyersville and lived retired. He is a Democrat in politics and has served as Alderman of Dyersville and Road Supervisor of Dodge township. Socially he is identified with the Catholic Order of Foresters; in religious views he is a Catholic and holds membership in the Roman Catholic Mutual Pro- tective Association of the State of Iowa. To his marriage with
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Miss Elizabeth Hopley, solemnized in Dyersville, October 3. 1871, seven children were born, as follows: Three who died in infancy ; Lewis, farming near Worthington; Elizabeth, wife of Joe Rupeley ; Frank, twin brother of Anthon who died in infancy, farming; and Mary, living with her father. Mrs. Schemmel died February 7, J908, aged fifty-eight years, and is buried at Dyersville. Mr. Schemmel served fifteen years as a director and treasurer of the Board of Education at Worthington, and has always assisted from his means in the support of all laudable enterprises.
EUGENE E. FRITH, proprietor of the Union Stock Yards, Eight- eenth and Sycamore streets, Dubuque, and otherwise prominently identified with local commercial interests, was born in this city, April 5, 1859, the son of Thomas E. and Amelia (Borden ) Frith. The parents were both natives of England, were there married, and at an early date immigrated to America and came to Dubuque. Here the father engaged in fertilizing and rendering, which butsi- ness is still conducted by Eugene E. Frith with a complete and modern plant. Eugene E. Frith received his education in the Dubuque public schools, and while yet young in years entered busi- ness with his father. The Union Stock Yards, now owned and operated by him, was established twenty-five years ago by the Dubuque Butchers' Association and was incorporated in April, 1904. They are engaged in killing and packing, and in the selling of tallow, hides, pelt, wool, etc. Mr. Frith is a staunch Republi- can in his political views, has served as Alderman froin the Fifth Ward for ten years and during this time many bills for civic im- provement brought up by him have become laws. Socially he is a member of the Elks, Modern Woodmen of America, the Free- men's Association of Des Moines, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. To his union with Miss Mary E. Collins, daughter of Jacob Collins, one of Dubuque county's pioneer miners, these children have been born: Eugene T., a graduate of Bayless Busi- ness College and now traveling for his father: Nettie Irene, at home ; Belle, now Mrs. Emil Tropp. The family are communi- cants of St. Luke's Methodist Episcopal church, and Mrs. Frith is identified with the Woman's Relief Corps and is prominent in social circles.
ANTON BOCKENSTED has lived at New Vienna, Iowa, retired from the active cares of life since 1900. He is of German nativity, born at Oldenburg. December 12. 1838, and is the son of Frank H. and Elizabeth Bockensted, who came to America by way of New Orleans in 1845. The voyage across the ocean was of ten weeks' duration, and upon arrival in this country immediately started up the Mississippi river, locating at New Vienna, Iowa. In the spring of 1846 the family removed to a farm in Delaware county, princi-
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pally wild prairie land which Mr. Bockensted bought at $1.25 per acre, and brought to a high state of cultivation. He died October 27, 1886, aged eighty-four years, preceded by his wife April 3, 1864, and both are buried in St. Boniface cemetery. Mr. Bocken- sted possessed the sturdy thrift characteristic of the German people, and by hard work accumulated a competency. At his death he was the owner of 200 acres of fine farm land, which he left to his children, named as follows: Frank, retired farmer; Henry, died in 1910, buried in St. Boniface cemetery at New Vienna ; Clemens, retired fariner ; Marianna, died in May, 1897, buried at Dyersville, was the wife of Frank Bullinger; Elizabeth, who married Bernard Vaske, of Delaware county, Iowa; Josephine, died March 4, 1885, buried at Dyersville ; John, died at age of seven years, buried in St. Boniface cemetery; Arnold. farming in Delaware county, and Anton. Anton Bockensted received his schooling in one of the old-fashioned log-house schools, having a farmer for a teacher, and has followed farming and stock raising all his life as a means of livelihood. For a time he remained with his father, then farmed for himself, and at one time was the owner of 300 acres. He still possesses 120 acres, and gave his daughter an eight-acre tract. Aside from his farming interests Mr. Bockensted owns six lots in New Vienna and various buildings. He is a Democrat in poli- tics, has served as school director and on the Council a number of years, and for over sixty years has been a staunch adherent of the Roman Catholic faith. He was married at New Vienna on Sep- tember 8. 1863, to Miss Angela Rohenfohl, daughter of Frederick and Catherine Rohenfohl, the former coming to Dubuque county about 1838 and subsequently dying at Lindsay. Texas. Mrs. Bock- ensted passed away October 21, 1872, when in the prime of life, aged twenty-six years, having borne her husband these children : Frank, who died when six years old: three who died in infancy ; Elizabeth, married Henry Klosterman, farming near New Vienna, and Mary, the wife of Frank Kruse, also a farmer. Mr. Bocken- sted, by hard and honorable work, has accumulated a competency, and during his remaining years can live at ease and with the knowl- edge that he has made life a success.
ADOLPH WARBURG LEMAN, M.TH., since January, 1908, resid- ing and practicing his profession in Dubuque, is a native of Sweden, born at Gothenburg, August 29. 1870, and of German extraction. Maxmilian and Bernhardina (Von Behrens) Leman were his par- ents, the father being an importer by occupation. Until sixteen years of age Adolph W. Leman attended the military academy, then spent one year in preparatory instruction previous to entering the medical department of the University of Stockholm, where he studied until 1890. He then entered and in 1892 graduated from the Royal Central Institute, succeeding which he was for two sea-
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sons assistant to Dr. E. Kleen, of Karlsbad, Austria. Following this he came to this country, where he practiced in New York nearly seven years, after which he returned to Europe, where for three years he divided his practice between London (summers ) and Paris (winters). While there he had several patients front San Francisco, who finally induced him to return to America, and he practiced in the latter city until the earthquake, after which he went East. Since January 16, 1908, Dr. Leman has been a resi- dent of Dubuque, Iowa, and is endeavoring to bring before the people of this city a branch of the medical profession known as mechano-therapy. In order that this system may be thoroughly understood and appreciated by the citizens of Dubuque county a short history and account of mechano-therapy herewith follows :
Manual treatment, in one form or another, has been in use for all time of which there exists any historical record, but the first attempt to place a system of movements on a scientific basis was made by a Swede named Pehr Henrik Ling. He was born in Ljunga, southern Sweden, in 1776. His life was primarily in- tended for the ministry, but being of a roving disposition he rebelled against this and started wandering over the Continent. Little is known of his travels save that he visited Germany, France and England, but in 1804 he returned to Sweden and in the town of Lund was established as an instructor in the arts of fencing and gymnastics. While traveling he had been compelled in consequence of pecuniary difficulties to undergo many hardships and privations, resulting in serious damage to his health, and upon his return to Sweden he was sorely afflicted with rheumatism. Bodily ailments did not, however, prevent him from pursuing an active life, and his reputation as a master of fencing and gymnastics developed into considerable fame. The movements and exercise necessitated by his daily work proved of great benefit to his physical condition, and shortly after his appointment as fencing master to the University of Lund he found that his rheumatism had disappeared and that he had regained his former strength and vigor. These facts turned his thoughts in a new direction. What had been of benefit to him- self might also be of benefit to others, and he came to the conclu- sion that it ought to be possible to devise various movements with different physiological effects for the treatment of various ail- ments. He likewise argued that a further series of movements could be contrived which would tend not only to keep healthy per- sons in that condition but also to strengthen their bodies equally in all directions. The question now arose : how could these theo- ries be turned into practical account? Ling saw that it would be impossible to work out a rational system of gymnastics without previous knowledge of the structure of the human organism and of its complex functions, and accordingly brought the matter before the Senatus of the university and made formal application to study
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anatomy and physiology. This was readily granted, and he went through nearly the entire curriculum required for candidates for degrees in medicine and surgery without, however, actually taking any qualification. In the light of the extensive knowledge thus obtained Ling at last produced a practically new system of gym- nastics which is called after him. In time his efforts to induce the Swedish Government to found an institution for the practice were rewarded, and in 1813 the Royal Central Institute, subsidized by state, was opened in Stockholm, and he was appointed its first principal. Ling died in 1839, and, according to his own words, uttered shortly before his death, left behind him only two men who really understood his system and were capable of furthering its progress. These were Lars Gabriel Branting, the greatest of all his pupils, and Karl Augustus Georgii. By them, Hjalmar Ling (son of P. H. Ling) and Thure Brandt the system was developed and handed down, but it is a matter of great regret that neither ever issued a comprehensive work on the subject of Ling's medical gymnastics. Mechano-therapy, also called Swedish manual treat- ment, or medical gymnastics, consists of a series of movements, either unduplicated ( without resistance) or duplicated, which latter are either concentric or eccentric, and the object of the system is to replace pathological conditions by physiological ones-effected by executing movements in physiological harmony with the require- ments of the particular case. Dr. Leman, the immediate subject of this memoir, is endeavoring to prove to the people of Dubuque county the value of this system. He does not claim that mechano- therapy is a panacea, but prefers to work hand in hand with the medical profession, and in this manner mechano-therapy has become a valuable adjunct to medicinal and surgical treatment.
JOSEPH W. SCHAETZLE, well-known resident of New Vienna, was born in this village June 3, 1868, the son of Sigismund and Elizabeth Schaetzle. The father was a native of Alsace, Germany, and prior to coming to America in 1856, followed the career of a soldier as a member of the French army. He located in New Vienna, Dubuque county, Iowa, and here resided until his death in 1901, at the age of seventy-four years. His wife followed him on July 16, 1909, aged seventy-two years, and both are buried in St. Boniface cemetery. Joseph W. Schaetzle was educated in the pub- lic schools of New Vienna, which he attended until fourteen years old. From 1884 to 1889 he was employed as clerk and teamster by Jacob Kerper, of New Vienna, and then for two years was similarly engaged by A. P. Brunsman. Succeeding this he estab- lished a hotel and saloon which he has since conducted and to which his brother, Henry T. Schaetzle, was admitted to partnership. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Dyersville, owns considerable real estate, among which is ninety acres of valuable
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timber land, and also conducts the Washington House at New Vienna. In politics Mr. Schaetzle is a Democrat and he has served as town clerk of New Vienna for two years. In religious views he is of the Roman Catholic faith, and has long held membership in St. Boniface church. On June 7, 1892, at New Vienna, he was united in marriage with Miss Frances Keuter, who died December 19, 1894, having borne her husband one daughter, Gunilda, July 2, 1893. Mr. Schaetzle has always taken great interest in local affairs of importance and has contributed from his means to all laudable enterprises. He is one of the county's representative busi- ness men and bears the respect and good will of all who know him.
FRANK BOECKENSTED is one of Dubuque county's retired farmers and stock raisers, and at present is residing in the village of New Vienna. He was born at Oldenburg, Germany, September 8, 1831, a son of Frank H. and Elizabeth Boeckensted, both of whom were natives of that country. The father's birth occurred July 25, 1800, and he was reared to hard work on a farm. He also followed fishing. In 1846, accompanied by his family, he embarked on a sailing vessel for the United States, the voyage across the ocean lasting from August 15 to October 18. They landed at New Orleans and immediately came north to New Vienna, Iowa, then scarcely more than a cluster of log houses, but shortly thereafter removed to Delaware county, Iowa, and located on a farm of eighty acres. At that time the country was rough and in a wild state, and various bands of Indians could be found roving over the country. By hard work the father and his boys cleared and im- proved their land and in time accumulated a competency. Their neighbors were few and far between, and as far as the eye could reach from their farm there was nothing to be seen save a wide expanse of prairie land, broken occasionally by a cluster of trees along some winding river. To Mr. Boeckensted and wife five sons were born, named: Frank, Henry, Clemens, Arnold, and Anton. The father died October 24, 1886, aged eighty-six years, preceded by his wife April 3, 1864, at the age of fifty-nine years, and both lie at rest in St. Boniface cemetery, New Vienna, Iowa. Frank Boeckensted attended the public schools of his native county and when fifteen years old was brought to America and Delaware county, Iowa, by his parents. His education was limited to the above schooling and he was unable to speak one word of English upon arrival in this country. He learned to make wooden shoes, which trade he followed three years, and also assisted his father on the home farm until twenty-four years of age. He carefully saved his money during that time and was enabled to purchase 120 acres at $1.25 per acre, which he improved by erecting a home, barn and suitable outhouses. He first plowed his land with oxen, and later, as his means afforded, bought horses and other domestic
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animals. Mr. Boeckensted finally disposed of his farm to his son- in-law for a consideration of $2,600, and then purchased another tract of 120 acres in Connolly township, Delaware county. This he held until his removal to New Vienna, Dubuque county, Iowa, where he has since resided retired from the active cares of life. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of St. Boniface Roman Catholic church. July 24, 1855, at Dubuque, he married Miss Gertrude Vaska, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Vaska, both deceased, and five children have been born to them, as follows: Elizabeth, married Bernard Engelken, farming the homestead in Delaware county ; Mary, born August 29, 1858, died July 6, 1892, buried at New Vienna; Josephine, born September 17, 1862, died September 23, 1863 ; Anna K., born April 12, 1864, died November 20, 1904, and Clemens J., born June 1, 1868, died October 13, 1877. Mr. Boeckensted has always contributed most liberally from his time and means toward the support of all laudable enterprises, and is at present assisting in the erection of four churches and schools at Luxemburg and Dyersville. He attended school at Hopetown shortly after coming to this country, with a view to bettering his education and command of the English language, and by his own unaided efforts has made life a success. He bears the highest respect and esteem of all who know him, and is one of Dubuque county's best citizens.
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