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 91
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JAMES F. LINK, for the past twenty-one years engaged in the buying and selling of live stock at Dyersville, was born on a farm in New Wine Township, this county, a son of William and Mary Link. The family is of English descent, William Link coming
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to America in 1840. After residing ten years in the state of Penn- sylvania, he came west to Dubuque county and settled on a farm of 120 acres of wild and unimproved prairie land. He gradually cleared and improved his farm, later adding another tract of eighty acres and in time became the owner of one of the best farms in the county. Mr. Link never sought public office, preferring to confine his attentions to private life, but had many friends and was highly regarded by all who knew him. On May 1, 1910, when eighty-five years old, he passed away and was buried at Westpoint, Iowa. He and wife, who is yet surviving, aged seventy-eight years, lived happily together for over fifty-eight years, and reared the fol- lowing family of nine children: William, a commercial traveler ; Anthony, also traveling; Isidor, importer of horses at Westpoint, Iowa; James F., subject of this sketch; Alois, county officer at Westpoint, Iowa ; Lewis, dealer in farm implements at Westpoint ; Astalıius, grocer at Westpoint; Joe, live stock dealer at Wash- ington, Iowa, and Nora, the wife of J. W. Rubley, real estate agent of Chicago. James F. Link was educated in the public schools of New Wine Township, and at the age of thirteen left the same to assist his father. Five years later he began traveling, visiting various parts of the world, and upon his return purchased a farm of eighty acres, later also one of thirty, in Delaware county, Iowa. He operated same for seven years and then came to Dyersville and engaged in the buying and selling of live stock, at which he has since continued. On March 31, 1881, he married Miss Caroline Kipp, and to them twelve children have been born, as follows: George, butcher at Dyersville, and Murth, Edward, Helen, Rose, Margaret, Andrew, Hilda, Stella, Isabella, Emil and Raymond, also of Dyersville. Mr. Link erected his home in Dyersville in 1904 and same is modern in every respect. The family are of the Roman Catholic faith and Mr. Link is a member of St. Francis Mutual Society. Mrs. Link is a daughter of the old pioneers, Henry and Caroline Kipp, who resided in this county many years and were well known and highly respected. Mr. Kipp died August 6, 1907, aged eighty-five years, preceded by his wife on October 4, 1897. at the age of eighty-six years. Both lie at rest in the cemetery at Dyersville.
DAVID W. ARMSTRONG, mayor of the city of Dyersville for the past three terms and also engaged extensively in the lumber busi- ness, was born in Farley, this county, March 12, 1877, the son of James and Martha Armstrong, pioneer settlers of this locality. He was educated in the public and high schools of Dyersville, graduating from the latter in 1895, and later took a business course in Bayless College, city of Dubuque. Immediately thereafter he entered the lumber establishment founded by his father, and after learning the business thoroughly was elected secretary and treas-
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urer upon the incorporation of the concern in 1905. Through excellent business management the concern has become one of the solid and substantial commercial houses of the county. Mr. Armstrong is a Democrat in his political views. On September 20, 1905, at Dyersville, he was united in marriage with Miss Mabel Leigh, daughter of the old pioneers, Charles E. and Martha Leigh, appropriate mention of whom appears elsewhere in this publica- tion, and to Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong two sons have been born, named David Leigh, born October 4, 1907, and James Robert, April 6, 1909. Mr. Armstrong and family reside in Dyersville and are highly respected by all who know them.
JOHN B. UTT has been successfully engaged in the general prac- tice of law at Dyersville for the last thirty-five years. He is a native of Plattville, Wisconsin, where he was born October 14, 1853, and is of German descent, his grandfather coming to this country at a very early date. Mr. Utt was a son of Elias and Abigail Utt, who came from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin in 1836, and there the father followed farming and lead mining for many years. Both parents are now deceased. John B. Utt received his early education in the public schools and also attended the State Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1875. He then decided to make the study and practice of law his life's work and accordingly entered the law department of the State University of Michigan, from which institution, in 1877, he was granted the degree of LL. B. Immediately thereafter he came to Dyersville and embarked in the general practice of his profession, which he has actively continued ever since. He is a Democrat in politics. On May 21, 1885, in Dyersville, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna M. Bush, daughter of John D. and Anna Bush. Her father was a pioneer business man and capitalist of Dubuque and died August 3, 1886, aged eighty-five years, followed by his wife March 4, 1905, aged sixty-eight years, and both are buried in the family vault in Linwood Cemetery. Until thirteen years old Mrs. Utt attended the public schools of Dubuque, and after study- ing law she was admitted to practice before the Iowa bar in January, 1895, at Des Moines. After she was married to Mr. Utt she still remained in the active practice of the legal profession, in partnership with her husband, and they have thus continued ever since. She and Mr. Utt are members of the State Bar Association and are highly respected by all who know them.
CHARLES H. DELL was born January 26, 1866, in Dubuque Township, Dubuque county, Iowa, the son of Peter and Anna Mary (Biesenz) Dell. Peter Dell was born in Luxemburg, Ger- many, in 1835, and his wife in Buffalo, New York, in 1848. The former came to America in 1856 and settled in Dubuque, Iowa, and
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here mnet and married Miss Biesenz, the ceremony taking place in 1865. Peter Dell was a blacksmith by trade, but later went into the hotel business and established the Northern Hotel at the corner of Nineteenth and Couler avenue. This was a very popular house in the early days and was liberally patronized by the farmers. He remained in this business until the spring of 1877, when he was taken ill, dying in the fall of 1879. His widow survived until 1904, then passed away at the home of her son, the subject of this review. Charles H. Dell was educated in the parochial schools of Dubuque, and at the age of fourteen began work for himself as clerk for the A. W. Kemler Dry Goods & Clothing Company. From there in 1881 he went with the A. Y. McDonald Company, Dubuque, and learned thoroughly the machinist trade. During the latter part of 1885 he accepted a position with the Ryder-Wallace Dry Goods Company, remaining thus about a year, and then served as brake- man on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad for four months. Succeeding this he became a stationary engineer in Du- buque and remained in this business until the fall of 1888, then resuming his trade of machinist at the United States Arsenal, Rock Island, Illinois. During the strike and times of panic he worked at a number of different places, but in 1902 accepted a posi- tion with the Smedley Steam Pump Company of Dubuque and remained with the firm until 1904, at which time he engaged in business for himself as a cement contractor. Mr. Dell was mar- ried May 1, 1894, to Miss Matilda Richter, daughter of Henry and Emily (Schenker ) Richter, of Dubuque, and they have three chil- dren, Violet Marion, Harland Joseph and Muriel Leona, all in school except the last named. Mr. Dell is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Court of Honor, Catholic Order of Forest- ers and St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat. Among the more important works done by him are the cement work of the Eagle Point pavilion, church of the Immacu- late Conception, Sisters of Good Shepherd building, Masonic Tem- ple. Audubon school, Holy Trinity Catholic church, Holy Ghost church, St. Mary's church, Sacred Heart church, St. Joseph's insane hospital and some exceptionally fine burial vaults.
PHILIP JUNGK, for over twenty years successfully engaged in the bakery business in Dubuque, and a man universally respected, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of August and Elizabeth (Mehl) Jungk. The father was a native of the kingdom of Sax- ony, Germany, born in 1817, and the mother of Nassau, Germany, born also in 1817. They came with their respective parents to America in 1840, settling at St. Louis, Missouri, where they were married in 1849. Both had been married previously, Mr. Jungk's first wife, by whom he had two children, dying in Germany, and Mrs. Jungk's first husband, Mr. Belz, whom she bore three chil-
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dren, also died in the old country. In 1852 Mr. and Mrs. Jungk, with their one child, Philip, the immediate subject of this review, came to Dubuque, Iowa, and located at Eagle Point on land now within the city limits. The father was originally a stonecutter and mason by occupation, but after coming to Dubuque established a German garden, known as the Kussuch House, which was for many years very popular among the German population of the city and vicinity. Mr. Jungk lived an honorable and useful life and passed away in 1899, preceded by his wife in 1866. Philip Jungk was born on July 17, 1851, and received his education under the tutel- age of the late Prof. Charles Kretschmer, who was at that time a recognized scholar of the state and of whom appropriate mention is made elsewhere in this publication. Our subject was compelled to give up his school work when thirteen years of age and start out on life's journey for himself. For a few months he was employed in a local printing office, then for two years was with the Hern- court Furniture Company. Succeeding this he spent two years with Mr. La Barge, of Dubuque, learning the baker's trade, after which he was employed as cook on the "War Eagle" and steamer "Cutter," spending one entire winter traveling between St. Louis and Memphis. In 1871 he went to an uncle, Conrad Mehl, and for about a year remained on the latter's farm, but when the construc- tion of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad was commenced he was engaged as camp cook and also assisted in construction work, remaining thus engaged until 1873. At that time he returned to the employ of the Herncourt Furniture Company, then, in 1875, took a vacation of about eight months and visited St. Louis, New York and other points. Upon his return he again joined the above named furniture concern and remained thus connected until 1878, when he established himself in the bakery business at Independence. Iowa. He failed during the hard times of that period and the following year returned to Dubuque and for a time engaged in whatever work he could find to do. In 1880 he started his present bakery business and has enjoyed a fair share of prosperity ever since. On October 31, 1876, he married Miss Amelia Schneider, daughter of Gotlieb and Amelia (Schuk) Schneider, and they have the following children: J. C., who married Miss Josephine Smith ; Tillie, the wife of John Stecher; Anna, Josephine, Elizabeth and Leo. Gotlieb Schneider was one of the founders of the Dubuque Cabinet Makers' Association and was one of the most expert workmen of the city. He died in 1904, but his widow is yet living. Mr. Jungk has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1872 and is at present treasurer of the Key City Lodge, and has been identified with the Modern Woodmen of America for fifteen years. While he claims no church member- ship his family belongs to St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. During the year 1870 he was foreman of the hose company of the
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Dubuque Fire Department when the only water supply was from cisterns. He assisted in the fighting of the big fire at the stamping works and also at the Western Burch lumber yards. During the former conflagration the hand engines became frozen and had it not been that the city had just received their steam engines, which were put in use at this fire for the first time, much more damage would have been caused. As it was, several blocks were destroyed.
WILLIAM SINGRIN, of Dubuque, is a son of the old pioneer, John Singrin, who came here in 1852, when the place was but little more than an overgrown frontier village. John Singrin married Jane McLaughlin, who came with her parents to Dubuque in 1853, and they had born to them seven children : Mary, who married William Dean ; Maggie, the widow of Thomas Haggerty ; Kate; Lucy, now Mrs. John Shannon ; Charles ; William, and a son who died in 1904. The father is yet living, but the mother, the possessor of innumer- able loving friends and after a long life of usefulness, died May 27, 1890. William Singrin, whose name forms the subject of this sketch, has passed practically his entire life in Dubuque. He was born in this city July 6, 1869, and during his early years attended the public and parochial schools, and later entered and has since been engaged in the grading, sodding and excavating business. From early boyhood he has been interested in politics, and par- ticularly in civic development. As a Democrat he was elected alder- man from the Third Ward in 1908. and in 1910 was re-elected to this position with the endorsement of the citizens. He is a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Modern Woodmen of the World and other benev- olent organizations. He married Miss Catherine, daughter of An- drew Gautenbein, and to this union have been born seven children, named : John, William, Stella, Margaret. Mary, Lucy and Joseph (deceased ).
HENRY WILBERDING, tailor, and for the past twenty-six years a resident of Dubuque, is a native of the Grand Duchie of Olden- burg, Germany, his birth occurring in the year 1865. At the age of seventeen years he crossed the Atlantic ocean to America and for three years resided at Cincinnati, Ohio. He then came to Dubuque, Iowa, which has since been his home. Carl and Mary Anna Wilberding, his parents, came to the United States in 1886, and established a hone at Dyersville, Iowa, where the father died in 1888. The mother died at Cincinnati in 1905, having become the grandmother of fifty-two children. They had born to them eight children, and these they reared to Christian lives and good citizenship. Henry Wilberding learned his trade of tailor in Ger- many and has always followed it in this country. In 1889 he
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became a partner in his present business, but since 1893 has been alone. He married Miss Anna Hauer, daughter of Lawrence and Margaret Hauer, natives of Wurtemburg, Germany, and to this union have been born fourteen children, whose names are as fol- lows: Anna, Emma, Catharine, Agnes, Mary, Magdalene, Henry, Carl, Arthur, Loretta, Margaretta, Alois, Vincent and Cyril. Of the foregoing, Anna, Mary, Vincent and Cyril are dead. The family are members of the Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Wilberding belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Knights of Columbus and in politics is independent, voting for the man rather than the party.
AUGUST SCHUBLIN, engaged in the merchandise brokerage busi- ness in Dubuque, is a son of August and Catherine Schublin, who came from Germany to America and first settled in Pennsylvania, subsequently locating near Independence, Iowa. When civil war threatened the disruption of the Union, August Schublin, Sr., be- came a volunteer in Company A, Forty-fourth Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, and served his adopted country with fidelity and credit until honorably discharged at the close of the war. He is now dead, but his widow still survives him. August Schublin, Jr., the inme- diate subject of this sketch, was born in Dubuque in 1872, and received his education in the public schools here. His boyhood was passed after the manner of the average boy, and for the past twenty years he has been engaged in the general merchandise brok- erage business at 103 Main street. In religion he is a Methodist : in politics a Republican. He is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America, is single and resides with his mother. Mr. Schublin is one of the enterprising and progressive business men of Dubuque.
GUSTAVUS V. PRESTON, engaged in farming, dairying and raising of hogs in section 8, Mosalem Township, was born in Dubuque county in the year 1842. and is a son of the old pioneers, Sylvester B. and Anna (West) Preston, who were natives of the state of Maryland. The father studied chemistry during his boyhood days, but was later made manager of the copper furnaces at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, which he continued some four or five years. During this time he invested largely in real estate, buying 640 acres from the government at $1.25 per acre. This he resided on for a short time, but owing to the fact that the government had not secured the land from the Indians, they were forced to leave tem- porarily. When the trouble was settled, Mr. Preston and his wife returned to their property and there spent their remaining days. He died February 23, 1852, and was survived by his wife until Christmas night, 1882. Gustavus E. Preston received his education in the district schools, and in boyhood days assisted his
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY 829
father with the work on the home farm. When war was declared between the North and South he enlisted with the boys in blue, but his mother obtained his discharge on the grounds that he was not yet of age. When twenty-two years old Mr. Preston began farming on his own account, starting with seven acres of the old homestead. He cleared and improved his property and gradually added thereto until he had 112 acres under a high state of culti- vation. During the first few years he did little but raise grains, but of late has engaged extensively in dairying and hog raising. On June 12, 1863, he was united in marriage with Miss Melissa Ire- land, daughter of Christopher E. and Frances (McMasters) Ire- land, who came from Canada to Dubuque county early in 1851. Her father followed rafting for several years and later engaged in farming. The day that Mr. and Mrs. Preston were married was extremely cold, frost being on the ground, and this was something remarkable for the month of June. To them three children, two daughters and a son, were born, as follows: David Orlando, born October 1, 1866, married Miss Anna Johnston, March 15, 1910; Bertha May, born July 25, 1867, married Nicholas Smith, engaged in farming, and Dora Jessie, born February 4, 1870, the wife of Lafayette Egan, who was captain of a steamboat on the Mississippi river for years and now follows farming. Mr. Preston is indepen- dent in his political views, voting for the man rather than the party, and although always taking an active interest in local affairs of importance, has steadfastly refused to hold office. He is regarded as one of the representative farmers of the county.
JOHN W. NORTON, engaged in general farming and stock raising in Mosalem Township, is a native of Dubuque county, Iowa, and a son of the old pioneers, Patrick and Amanda Norton. The father came to the United States from County Limerick, Ireland, at the early period of 1835. and after remaining in the state of Vermont about two years came west to Dubuque. He followed draying and also speculated extensively in town real estate and farm lands, part of which is yet retained by his estate. After a long and honorable career Mr. Norton died in 1868 at the age of forty-seven years, and now lies at rest in Kelly's Bluff Cemetery. Mrs. Norton yet survives him and resides at 181 North Locust street, Dubuque. John W. Norton, the immediate subject of this review, was born in the city of Dubuque, November 30. 1850, and received his educa- tion in the old Third Ward school, now known as the Prescott school. When thirteen years old he obtained employment on a steamboat as deck washer, and this he followed five years. Upon the death of his father Mr. Norton assumed charge of the estate, which comprised much valuable property in Jackson and Dubuque counties, and aside from this also has invested himself in Dubuque real estate. He is a Democrat in his political affiliation, and for two
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terms has served as street commissioner. In religion he is a Roman Catholic and a member of St. Patrick's Church. On June 4, 1876, in Dubuque, he was united in marriage with Miss Sophie Pegel, daughter of Frederick and Marie Pegel. Her father came to America and Dubuque county from the kingdom of Hanover, Ger- many, at an early date, and here died August 17, 1907, at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife died May 15, 1904, aged eighty-nine years. Mr. Norton has always taken an active interest and part in local affairs of importance, and he and wife are highly regarded by all who know them.
THOMAS A. HERDMANN, for the past twenty-two years engaged in the contracting business in Dubuque, with offices and residence at 85 Cornell street, was born at Ottawa, Canada, May 14, 1870, the son of Charles E. and Fanny (Stevens) Herdmann, who were natives of Scotland and Ireland, respectively. The father, a con- tractor and builder by occupation, died at Warago, Victoria, Australia, in 1897, and was followed by his wife January 26, 1908. Thomas A. Herdmann received his early education in the public schools of Lincoln, Nebraska, and in 1886 was graduated from the manual training department of the State University of Nebraska. He immediately took up the study of contracting under the tutel- age of his father, and has always followed that line of endeavor. He came to Dubuque, Iowa, in 1888 and has here since been actively and successfully engaged in the building of fine residences, in which particular branch of contracting he has specialized. Socially he is a member of the Mystic Workers. On May 16, 1903, in Lincoln, Nebraska, he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Stern- hagen, daughter of William and Emilie (Wolff) Sternhagen. Her parents were farmers, but are now living retired at Worthington, Iowa. Mr. Herdmann is one of Dubuque's progressive and repre- sentative business men, takes an active interest in any movement that tends toward the betterment of his city and bears the respect and good will of all who know him.
THOMAS J. TAYLOR, for the past twenty-one years engaged in the general contracting and building business in Dubuque, is a native of this county and the son of James W. and Lucina ( Morgan) Taylor, who were among the first white settlers of this locality. James WV. Taylor came to Dubuque from Nashville, Tennessee, in 1837, and his wife from Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, in 1832. When the mother first came Dubuque was little more than an Indian village, and she and her people were forced by the soldiers to leave the immediate neighborhood. They returned, however, the following year, when the Indians had been removed under the recent treaty with the government. James Morgan, father of Mrs. Taylor, par- ticipated in the Mexican War under General Scott and also saw act-
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ive service in the Blackhawk disturbances. The Taylor family came originally from England, but generations ago immigrated to Amer- ica, settling first in Kentucky. James W. Taylor was a millwright by trade and erected three saw mills in Dubuque. He also followed farming on land purchased from the government during Dubuque's early days. He died March 11, 1896, aged seventy-six years, having resided in Dubuque county for sixty-one years. His wife followed him to the grave on January 20, 1904, aged seventy-five years, and both are buried in the cemetery at Asbury. Thomas J. Taylor, the immediate subject of this sketch, was born at Asbury, January 3, 1865, and until fifteen years old attended the district schools. He then entered and in 1883 was graduated from Epworth Seminary and later took also a course in bookkeeping at Bayless Business College. For four years thereafter he conducted a grocery store at the corner of Eighth and Bluff streets, then for a short time trav- eled for the Waters & Dennis Cracker Company. Succeeding this he embarked in the general contracting business and has been thus successfully engaged ever since. Mr. Taylor is a Republican in national political views, being independent on local issues, and socially he is identified with the American Yoemen. On January 22, 1885, he was united in marriage with Miss May McCraney, and to them seven children have been born, two deceased, as fol- lows: Earl. killed by accident, aged twenty years, buried at As- bury ; Arnold, died February 13, 1907, aged five years; Arthur, married, a paper hanger residing in Dubuque ; May, attending Bay- less Business College ; Ervin, attending Audubon school. Mrs. Taylor is a daughter of John and Mary McCraney. Her father first came to Dubuque in 1832 and experienced all the trials and hard- ships of pioneer life. The McCraney family is of Scotch extrac- tion, but for many years have resided in this country. Thomas McCraney served as a Union soldier during the Civil War.
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