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 94
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DR. CHARLES PALEN, one of the leading medical practitioners of Dubuque, is of German ancestry, his parents, Nicholas G. and Bar- bara Palen, coming from Luxemburg to this country. They were among the early settlers of Dubuque, and the father for many years engaged in mercantile pursuits here. He died November 13, 1902, at seventy-three years of age, and his widow, March 6, 1910, aged
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seventy-one years. Dr. Charles Palen was born in this city on September 23, 1879, and obtained his literary education in the public schools and at St. Joseph's College. Having decided to make the study and practice of medicine his life's occupation, he first prepared himself by reading in the office of a local practitioner, then entered the Northwestern Medical School at Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1902 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Succeeding this, until June 1, 1904, he served as interne in the Cook County Hospital, then returned to the city of his nativity and has here since been engaged in the active and suc- cessful practice of his profession. He is vice president of the Dubuque County Medical Society and a member of the Iowa and Illinois State Medical societies and of the American Medical Asso- ciation. In religion he is a Roman Catholic ; in politics a Democrat, and socially a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is the present attending physician of St. Joseph's College. Dr. Palen married Miss Elizabeth J. Spilman on October 14, 1907, and to this union two children have been born: Elizabeth J. and Barbara Mary.
HENRY L. BUCKLEY, well known resident of Dubuque and a justice of the peace, was born in East Dubuque January 2, 1875, and is a son of John and Catherine ( McManus) Buckley. The father was a native of Ireland and came to America and Dubuque, Iowa, at an early date. For a period of forty-three years he was an employe of the Illinois Central Railway Company, being at the time of his death station master at Dubuque. He died in 1898 at the age of sixty-six years, but his widow still survives him and resides in Dubuque. She came from Ireland to America with her parents when young and has always resided in Dubuque county. Michael McManus, her brother, was killed by accident during a sham battle, his head being severed from his body by a gun thought to be unloaded. Until 1893 Henry L. Buckley attended the public school of his native city, and upon his parents removal to Dubuque finished his education in the third ward school. He then entered the employ of the Illinois Central railroad as messenger boy and upon his resignation in 1902 was timekeeper. A few years later Mr. Buckley was appointed deputy county clerk, serving as such until his election in 1908 to the office of justice of the peace. In politics he is a Democrat and socially a member of the Woodmen of the World, Modern Woodmen of America and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. At St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Dubuque, December 30, 1903, he was united in marriage with Miss Clara M. Heeb, daughter of Louis and Catherine Heeb, who have been residents of Dubuque county for the last thirty years. Mr. Buckley is one of Dubuque's public spirited citizens and is highly respected by all who know him.
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THOMAS J. MULGREW, a native of the city of Dubuque and a member of one of its oldest and best known families, was born May 8. 1867, a son of John and Louisa ( Boxleiter) Mulgrew. Origi- nally the family resided in Germany, but the direct ancestors of the subject of this sketch moved to County Cavan, Ireland, and from there immigrated to America. Members of this family have achieved distinction in the various walks of life. The grandfather of Thomas J. was a soldier in the War of 1812 and lost his life at the battle of Black River Bridge. John Mulgrew came from New York City to Dubuque in 1850, and as was usual with many of the pioneers, engaged in mining, operating his own plant. He is yet well remembered by the old settlers as a man of strong character and unblemished integrity. Thomas J. Mulgrew passed his youth- ful days attending the public schools, and began his business career as a bell boy in the Julien Hotel, succeeding which for a time he was employed in several other capacities, eventually becoming connected with the Hansen & Lincoln Company as manager of their coal busi- ness. For eight years he was thus associated, then embarked in that line of business for himself. This, under the management of Mr. Mulgrew, gradually increased in importance in the commercial world of Dubuque until it is now recognized as one of its most stable and prosperous institutions. The concern is now incorpo- rated as the Mulgrew-Boys Company, of which Mr. Mulgrew i: the president and treasurer. He is also the treasurer and a director of the Dubuque Art Manufacturing Company, is a director of the Dubuque National Bank, the Dubuque Industrial Association, the Dubuque Board of Education and is the owner of a cotton planta- tion in Bolivar county, Mississippi. Mr. Mulgrew started out in life for himself a poor boy and by his own unaided efforts has accumulated a competency and an honored name among his fellow- men. He is a Roman Catholic in religion, being a member of St. Anthony's parish, is a Knight of Columbus, a member of the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks, and in politics is a Democrat. September 9, 1891, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Cosley, daughter of Amab and Caroline Cosley, who were among the early pioneers of Dubuque county, and to their union four children have been born as follows: Myrtle V., Russell J., Carl George and Kathleen. The Mulgrews are among the best people of Dubuque.
REV. MICHAEL H. CAREY, pastor of St. Raphael's Cathedral, Dubuque, since 1905, is unusually well known because of his promi- nence in connection with Catholicism in this city and throughout the central West. Born at Shullsburg, Wisconsin, on September 5, 1858, he is a son of John and Ellen Carey, who came to this country in 1850 and engaged in agricultural pursuits. The family subse- quently moved to Storm Lake, Iowa, where the father died April 5,
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1900, aged eighty years, and where his widow survives him. The early life of Father Carey was passed on his father's farm and his first schooling was acquired in the public institutions. He received his classical education at St. Mary's Jesuit College, Kansas, his philosophical schooling at St. Joseph's College, Dubuque, and his theological training at the Grand Seminary, Montreal, Canada. Originally he expected to follow in the footsteps of his father and become a farmer, but believing he could accomplish more good in the world by an active career in the Mother Church first began the study of theology in 1892. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 22, 1900, and immediately thereafter came to Dubuque as assistant pastor of St. Raphael's Cathedral, of which he subse- quently, in 1905, became pastor. The piety, learning and business capacity of Father Carey have placed him in the ranks of the fore- most clergymen of the West, and enshrined him particularly in the hearts of his parishioners.
REV. MICHAEL BARRY is one of the most widely known of the clergy of Dubuque. He was born in Limerick, Ireland, and there received his classical and theological training. He was ordained to the priesthood July 5, 1885, and shortly thereafter came to the United States and for two years was stationed at Lycurgus, Iowa. He then came to Dubuque and for seven years was professor of Latin and Greek in St. Joseph's College. This position he filled until his appointment to the very responsible office of chancellor to Archbishop Keane, in which capacity he has since served.
CHRISTOPHER E. STAHELI is a native of Dubuque, Iowa, where he now resides, his birth occurring December 4, 1888. His parents, Ernst and Rose (Sutter) Staheli, were natives of Switzerland and Dubuque, respectively, and were married in this city. Ernst Staheli immigrated to America when nineteen years old, locating in Dubuque, and has since made this city his home. He is now employed as a jeweler for Hopkins & Witty. To Mr. and Mrs. Staheli seven children have been born as follows: Christopher E., Bertha M., Catherine, Ernst, Edward, John and Charles, all living but John, who died in infancy. The rest reside with their parents, with the exception of the subject of this sketch. Christopher E. Staheli was educated in the public schools of Dubuque until the age of fifteen years, at which time he began working for wages in the meat market business. After continuing thus about four years he bought the business he now owns and operates, his present loca- tion being at 298 Hill street. Mr. Staheli is one of the progressive young business men of Dubuque and by close attention to business has succeeded in building up a profitable trade. In 1910 he married Miss Lena Duscheck, born March 23, 1888, the daughter of John and Barbara Duscheck, who were natives of Germany and Galena,
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Illinois, respectively. Mr. Duscheck is a stone mason by trade, but is now living in Dubuque retired from the active cares of life. Mrs. Duscheck died in 1906 at the age of fifty-two years. One son, Chester, born December 27, 1910, has blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Staheli. Mr. Staheli is independent in politics, voting for the one who in his judgment is best fitted to fill the office. Mrs. Staheli is a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
ROBERT H. TROMBLEY, born August 19, 1859, in Scott county, Iowa, and now residing at 2111 Jackson street, Dubuque, is a son of George and Catherine ( McCaffery ) Trombley, natives of Canada and Ireland, respectively, the former of French ancestry. George Trombley in early life secured employment on the river, beginning in a minor capacity and gradually working his way up to the com- manding position. For fifty-five years his life's occupation was on the river and about thirty years of this time he served as captain. He died at the age of seventy-four years in 1906, but his widow survives him and resides at Le Claire, Iowa. They were the parents of three children: George, who is a steamboat captain, married, and resides at Le Claire ; Robert H., and Minnie, the wife of Elmer McCraney, who is also a steamboat captain and resides at Le Claire. Robert H. Trombley was educated in the common schools and when eighteen years old began his career on the river. In 1881, at the age of twenty-two, he received his license as captain, and since that time, for a period of nearly thirty years, he has plied his vocation as steamboat captain on the Mississippi river. During this period he has liad charge of about twenty different boats, at the present time being the commanding officer of the steamer Kalitan, the Indian name for arrow. In 1883 he married Miss Stella E., daughter of Amos and Sophronia (East ) Young, the former born in New York and the latter in Illinois, both descendants of Holland ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Young were the parents of five children, as follows: Frank, who died in infancy : Gertrude, married Robert Burchell and died in 1890, leaving two children : Stella E., the wife of the subject of this sketch: Joseph, married, the father of two children and a steamboat captain ; and Floyd, a stationary engineer residing in Chicago. Mr. Young died in 1866, aged fifty-one years ; his widow survives him and is seventy-seven years old. Stella E., of the foregoing children, was born November 30, 1859, and to her marriage with Mr. Trombley four children have been born : Helen, the wife of William Von Hein, a steamboat engineer at Seattle, Washington; Robert and Arthur, both single and traveling sales- men for Carr, Ryder & Adams, of Dubuque; and Paul, living at home and attending school. Mr. Trombley is a member of Du- buque Lodge No. 97, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America and an honorary member of the
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Dubuque Motor Boat Club. He is a Democrat in politics and he and wife attend the Christian Scientist Church.
CARL A. STEUCK, who was born January 31. 1848, in Prussia, Germany, is now residing at 58 Francis street, Dubuque, and is engaged in the general contracting business. He was reared to manhood and educated in his native country, but thinking to better his condition, he immigrated to America in 1873, and in March of that year located in Dubuque, Iowa, which has since been his home. For several years succeeding his arrival here he was en- ployed in the stone quarries, then began contracting for himself, at which he has met with a fair measure of success. He macadam- ized most all the streets of Dubuque and has also bricked most of the sewers of the city. The most noteworthy feature of the work of Mr. Steuck is the honesty and thoroughness with which he has filled all his obligations. In 1873 he married, at Dubuque, Henri- etta Graybow, who was born in Prussia, Germany, August II, 1852, and to them this family has been born: William, married Christina Wimmer, has one child and resides at 342 Eagle street, Dubuque ; Clara, the wife of John Behrensby, by whom she is the mother of two children and lives in Wisconsin; Charles, unmar- ried and resides at home ; George, married Ruby Reider, the father of one child, the home being at 931 Lincoln avenue, Dubuque; Emma, who lives with her parents, and two deceased-Ida, who died when four years old, and Anna. who passed away at the age of twenty-five years. Prior to coming to this country Mr. Steuck served his country, in 1870-71, in the French and German war, and for five years was in the Prussian army. He is independent in his political affiliation. Since 1873 he has been a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, in which he has been an active worker and in which he has been an elder and trustee for many years.
PATRICK NORTON, deceased, for many years engaged in the team- ing and real estate business in Dubuque, was a native of the Emer- ald Isle, his birth occurring in County Limerick in the year 1821, and a son of Edmund and Annora Norton. In 1832 the family crossed the Atlantic ocean in a slow sailing vessel and after landing in America first located on a farm in New York state. They then removed to Vermont, but later came west to Higginsport, Iowa, where the father followed farming until his death. Patrick Norton received a common school education in his youth, and about 1837 came to Dubuque county, Iowa, at which time it was little more than a frontier locality. scarcely free from the presence of the Indians. Here for a time he engaged in draying and teaming and later dealt extensively in real estate, building and renting homes and selling same on time payments. In 1842 Mr. Norton married Miss Amanda M. F. Key, who was a native of South Carolina and came
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with her parents to Dubuque at an early day. To them the follow- ing named children were born: Mary, Joseph S. and Ellen C. (de- ceased ) ; John W., farming in Dubuque county ; Annora (de- ceased ) : Edmund F., marketmaster at Dubuque ; Daniel D., who was killed in the discharge of his duties as policeman in Dubuque ; James P., jailor at Dubuque; Amanda and Patrick S., both of Dubuque. In March, 1868, when in the prime of life, Mr. Norton passed away, aged forty-seven, a man highly respected by all who knew him, and now lies at rest in Kelly's Bluff Cemetery. His widow, a fine and motherly old lady, yet survives him and resides in Dubuque. Many years ago, when Bishop Loras first visited this city, she entertained him in her home and is very proud of this fact. At the early age of sixteen she was converted to Catholicism, this being brought about by her intimate acquaintance with Father Kelley, whom she and several other young girls nursed during his illness. She has since been a staunch advocate of the Catholic religion and has reared her children in that faith to honorable and useful lives. Some four years ago Mrs. Norton met with a severe accident in the breaking of her collar bone, which, at her time of life, might easily have proved serious, but, through the careful and loving ministra- tions of her children, she recovered entirely and is at present in the enjoyment of the best of health. She takes great delight in the association of her children and is grandmother to fifteen and great- grandmother to two. She has hosts of friends throughout the county and is greatly beloved by all who know her.
ADOLPH SCHAUL, who owns a farm of 160 acres on section 9, Liberty Township, is a native of Dubuque county, Iowa, and a son of John N. and Kate (Stoffel) Schaul. John N. Schaul was born and reared to manhood in Luxemburg, Germany, and about 1863 immigrated to the United States by way of New York City. He immediately came west to Iowa, but after a short residence in Luxemburg, Dubuque county, he removed to Michigan and there followed log teaming. Shortly thereafter, however, he returned to Liberty Township and bought 100 acres of wild and unbroken prairie land and here participated in the trials and hardships inci- dent to pioneer life. Farm life during early times was exceedingly hard at best, and in addition to this Mr. Schaul was without funds to enable him to live in ease, but he worked hard and gradually improved his property and in time became one of the substantial farmers of the community. He later added another forty acres to his holdings, and this he sold in 1876, disposing of the other hun- dred acres in 1881. He then purchased 160 acres of improved land, and this was his home ever afterwards. He died on January 30, 1894, and is survived by the following children : Peter, John, Nic, Susan and Adolph. One child, Katie, died December 25, 1908, being the wife of John Mathias. Mrs. Schaul passed away in
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1876. Adolph attended the public schools of Liberty Township and the parochial school at Luxemburg until thirteen years old. He was born on December 12, 1870. He remained at home until his father's death, and five years later went to South Dakota and there bought a quarter section of land. He improved and later disposed of same, and then located on his present property, where he has since been successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He is a Democrat in politics, a Catholic in religion and a member of the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Association of the State of Iowa. At Luxemburg, February 20, 1900, he married Miss Mathilda Steffan, daughter of the old pioneers, John and Susan Steffan, and granddaughter of one of Dubuque county's first set- tlers, William Steffan. Father Oberbroekling officiated at the wed- ding of Mr. and Mrs. Schaul, and to their union have been born these children : Edmund, died in infancy ; Olive S., Aloysius J. and Margaret Catherina and Cecelia.
PETER J. MAIERS, residing on a farm of 247 acres in section 1, Liberty Township, is a native of Dubuque county, Iowa, and a son of J. N. and Mary (Ries) Maiers. His birth occurred on the old homestead in section 36, September 10, 1880, and he received his scholastic training in the district school and the parochial school at Luxemburg, leaving the latter when fourteen years old. He remained at home assisting his father until nineteen years old, and then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed during the summer months for four years. In winter he assisted his brother, J. A. Maiers, in the drug business. With his father he then bought part of the property now in his possession, consisting of 120 acres, and two years later purchased another tract of 127 acres, all of which is now possessed by him. This he has brought to a high state of cultivation and today is regarded as one of the valu- able farms in Liberty Township. He remodeled the house, built a new corncrib and other outhouses and stocked his place with all manner of domestic animals necessary to farm life. He has about forty head of cattle and an average of one hundred head of swine. Mr. Maiers is a Democrat in his political views and has served as a director on the Board of Education. He is a Catholic in religion and a member of the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Associa- tion of the State of Iowa. On January 12, 1904, at Holy Cross, Iowa, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Schneider, daugh- ter of Mathias and Margaret Schneider. To them these children have been born: one who died in infancy ; Clarence J., born Octo- ber 16, 1904: Hilda M., born October 2, 1908; Leona C., born December 14, 1909 : and Alphonse M., born March 1, 1910. Mathias Schneider, father of Mrs. Maiers, came to Concord Township, Dubuque county, Iowa, from Germany in 1860 and here followed farming until his death, which occurred December 15, 1902, at the
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MRS. ELIZABETH (WEIGEL) HEALY
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MRS. PHOEBE (WEIGEL) ELMER
MRS. CHRISTINA (WEIGEL) CHRISTMAN
RESIDENTS OF DUBUQUE SINCE JUNE 3, 1833
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age of fifty-nine years. He is buried at Holy Cross. His widow yet survives him and resides on the old homestead in Concord Township.
SEVENTY-EIGHT YEARS IN DUBUQUE.
The three oldest settlers in Dubuque are Mrs. Elizabeth (Weigel) Healey, Mrs. Phoebe ( Weigel) Elmer and Mrs. Christiana (Wei- gel) Christman. Special interest lies in the fact that they are sisters, the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Philip J. Weigel, who landed at Dubuque June 3, 1833, having come from St. Louis on the steamboat Winnebago. Elizabeth was born January 3, 1824; Phoebe, October 1, 1826; Christiana, August 26, 1828. By treatey the white people were given the right to settle what was known as the Blackhawk Purchase on and after June 1, 1833. The Weigels landed on the 3rd. The family consisted of the parents, the three daughters named above and a son, Fred. This boat landed these early pioneers, including eight men besides the Weigel family, not far from where the Beach soap factory is now located. Here they were left without hut or tent, and without boards, shingles or nails with which to build. On account of the children it was necessary to provide some form of shelter immediately. For the first three weeks they made use of bushes and the lower limbs of trees cov- ered with blankets. During this time the entire party cut down trees and erected a temporary log house, in which they lived for about a year. During the summer of 1833 many settlers arrived. Some came to Chicago and teamed across the country ; others came to Pittsburg, down the Ohio and up the Mississippi. Early in 1834 Mr. Weigel built a hewn log house near what is now the corner of Sixth and Main streets, on his little farm which embraced the block now bounded by Sixth and Seventh streets, between Main and Iowa. In the spring of 1834 Mr. Weigel went to Galena and pur- chased perhaps the first team of horses ever brought to Iowa ; at this time he also brought some sheep and geese.
While the Weigels were living in their first log house near the present site of the Beach soap factory, they had many interesting experiences with the Indians. Once Mr. Weigel bought from a number of Indians some venison, but as this was the first venison his wife had seen, she was at a loss to know how to cook it prop- erly. After conferring with some of the young men in the neigh- borhood, she cooked it in some manner over the open fireplace. The children had been instructed not to get into contention with the Indians if they came while the men were not at home. Four big Indians did come one time when Elizabeth, then ten years old, and the younger children were alone at home. They wandered about, evidently looking for something to eat, as they could smell the bread just baked for a week's supply. The bread had been care-
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fully placed in a closet, but the Indians soon found it and without saying a word took the entire baking and marched out the door and up over the bluffs.
Mrs. Healey, the oldest of these "girls," says she well remembers the first store established on the levee where the boats landed. It was made of a number of boards set up on end and placed together in the form of the letter A; over the ends cloth was tacked, with flaps for entrance and exit. A man by the name of Johnson was the enterprising merchant and handled calicos, sugar, tea, nails, tobacco and liquor.
About 1839 Mr. Weigel moved his family to a large farm on the Bloody Run, immediately north of Sageville, and was one of the men interested in building the city of Peru on land now known as the Peru Bottoms, which for a time they hoped to make the coming city of the West, but it was soon outstripped by Dubuque, and the boomers of Pern left the Bottoms and united with those of Dubuque.
Mrs. Weigel bore sixteen children and lived to be ninety-three years old. An older brother of the three surviving children was Fred Weigel, of whom an appropriate sketch appears elsewhere in this book. On January 12, 1840, Elizabeth married Thomas Healey, living on the adjoining farm, now known as the "Sleepy Hollow Farm." They had eight children, three of whom are living, as follows: George, Florence (Mrs. George Walton), and Caroline (Mrs. George Fifield).
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