USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 15
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John H. Eastman began his education in the public schools of Spring Valley, Minnesota, and later entered the Oskaloosa, (Ia.) Business College, graduating from that institution with the class of 1888. Immediately afterward he obtained a position as clerk in a clothing store and after eight months of this connection returned to Spring Valley, where he kept books for his stepfather for three years. His banking experience began at the end of that time, when he obtained a position as bookkeeper in the bank at Spring Valley and did able and systematic work for two years. In 1804 he went to Callender, Iowa, and formed a partnership with F. D. Calkin .. formerly county auditor of Kossuth county, in the operation of a private bank. They also engaged in the lumber business and were
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successful in both enterprises. They sold their interests in 1898, in which year Mr. Eastman came to Barnum, where he opened the first bank in the village, which he still operates. It is a private enter- prise and is conducted along the progressive, yet conservative lines. Mr. Eastman understands the details of present-day banking, while his systematic mind and his up-to-date methods have been factors in his success. The enterprise is capitalized at fifteen thousand dollars and is rapidly expanding. Mr. Eastman is interested in various local business concerns, holding stock in the Barnum Telephone Com- pany, of which he was a director and treasurer for six years. He is also identified with the Iowa Land & Live Stock Company of Fort Dodge and owns property in Minnesota and also town lots in Barnum. He erected the building which his business occupies and owns his attractive and modern home and other property in the village. He is also engaged in the implement business here and has a large and increasing patronage. He is one of the heaviest taxpayers in the community, always making his wealth serve worthy ends.
At Algona, Iowa, on October 15, 1897, Mr. Eastman was united in marriage to Miss Luella Wartman, a daughter of S. S. and Maggie (Clancy) Wartman, natives of Canada. In his political affiliations Mr. Eastman is a progressive republican and served for eight years as a member of the town council and is at the present time town treasurer. He held a similar position in connection with the school board for about ten years, during which time he did able work along educational lines. He is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias, holding a membership in the latter organization in Minnesota. Mr. Eastman belongs to the Con- gregational church. He is an active and industrious citizen, a man of good business ability, and as a banker he commands the confi- dence and trust of his depositors. He has worked for success but counts its attainment secondary in importance to the methods and standards by which it has been effected.
JOHN MARTIN MULRONEY.
John Martin Mulroney is one of the older settlers of Webster county, living retired at the southwest corner of Third avenue and Seventh street, in Fort Dodge. His has been a somewhat eventful life in which unfaltering effort, perseverance and ability
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have brought him creditable and well earned success. He is now eighty years of age for his birth occurred in County Kilkenny, Ireland, near Callen, November 11, 1832. His parents, Patrick and Alice (Brophy) Mulroney, are also natives of County Kil- kenny. The father was a farmer by occupation and on coming to America left his wife in Williamsburg, New York, while he went to Pennsylvania, prospecting for a favorable location. While there, however, he passed away at the age of sixty years. His widow remained in New York until her children were partly grown, after which she came to the middle west and died in Emmettsburg, Iowa, at an advanced age. Both were members of the Catholic church. In their family were eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, as follows: William, Bridget, Mary, Edward, Patrick, Thomas, John M., Catherine, Kieran, Joseph and Margaret.
John Martin Mulroney spent his early youth in Williamsburg. New York, and attended school there. He was afterward at Wolcotte and New Haven, Connecticut, and worked in the forests. making ties for the Naugatuck Railroad. On removing westward to Wisconsin he settled near Mineral Point and engaged in haul- ing lead to Galena, Illinois. While in Galena he and his cousin. T. H. Tobin, grubstaked a claim for a couple of men, who for it gave them an interest in their flatboat on the Mississippi river. Mr. Mulroney then went up the river to cut cedar posts and pickets which he sold in Dubuque, Iowa. The next spring he and his brother Edward and Mr. Tobin made a trip to California by way of the Nicaragua route. This was in 1850. From Nicara gua they traveled partly on foot, partly on mules and partly by steamer to their destination. After arriving in San Francisco they hired out to a farmer who had been an oldl sea captain, to help him eut his barley, for which they received nine dollars per day. They worked for him for about six weeks and then went to the gold mines on the east branch of the north fork of the Feather river. At that time the territory in which they were lo- cated had not yet been subdivided into counties and lynch rule was the law of the land. As history shows it proved a good law as it prevented many depredations, compelled the use of good language and the display of respect for one another and their rights. Then, too, when justice had to be administered it wa done summarily and the culprit was placed where he could hartu no one again. During the first three years Mr Mulroney spent
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in the mountains he did not see a white woman nor a white child, nor a dead person, that had died a natural death. In the Ameri- can valley seven miles away lived a Mr. Stark with his family, who removed there from Missouri. His eldest daughter, about fifteen years of age, was known by all the men of that district as Sister Betsey and if anyone said a word about her it was at the peril of his life, such was the chivalry toward and respect paid to the women of the west in that early day. When Mr. Mul- roney and his comrades went to California they carried their tools and supplies on their backs but the next year a pack train was started and the charge of ten cents per pound was made for packing. Their diet consisted of pork, Chili beans and Chili flour twenty-one times a week! Because of that, scurvy broke out among them but the next year they managed to get potatoes and were advised to eat them raw, which they did. This sup- plied a dietary need and from that time on the mien got along nicely. At length they became owners of a pack train and while engaged in packing for some time they also continued to work their gold mine and did very well in their business. In 1857 Mr. Mulroney and Mr. Tobin came to Iowa, settling in Palo Alto county, and upon its organization in the fall of 1858 Mr. Mul- roney was elected county treasurer and recorder. the two offices being at that time connected. He served altogether for eight years and then retired. While there he was also postmaster of Soda Bar and was justice of the peace. While filling the latter position he performed the marriage ceremony for the first couple ever married in that county.
When the Indians broke out in open warfare in Jackson and New Ulm, Minnesota, about this time, and massacred a number of white settlers, Mr. Mulroney, his brother and a Mr. Tobin took three horses and went as far as Estherville, Iowa. There they were joined by a Mr. Ridley, who took one of their horses and they proceeded to the seat of trouble to assist the white men. When they arrived at their destination, however, the soldiers had arrived from Spirit Lake before them and the trouble was over. They met wagons on the way toward the south which were filled with wounded and they also met a company of volunteers of about thirty men on the way to Jackson from Fort Dodge, Iowa, and on their way back notified them that the trouble had passed. These Indians were the last seen in this state except those which have become civilized. Mr. Mulroney then re-
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turned home and although he had been too late to be of any actual help, his desire to help must be just as highly estimated as if he had been of actual service.
In 1868 Mr. Mulroney came to Fort Dodge and traded a large number of cattle for an interest in a general store. He was thus engaged in merchandising in this city for thirty years or until he retired, occupying a prominent place as a leading and pro- gressive merchant of the city. With its upbuilding he was iden- tified almost from the beginning and his labors have constituted an important element in the work of public progress. He and six others, namely: John F. Duncombe. A. McBane, E. E. Prus- sia, a Mr. Grant, George R. Pearson, and G. W. Bassett built the Minneapolis & St. Louis Rai'road from Fort Dodge, then called the Fort Dodge & Fort Ridgley Railroad, construct- ing about forty miles of that line and operating the cars as far as Humboldt. They afterward sold the line to the Min- neapolis & St. Louis Company but in connection with Mr. Fur- long and Mr. London graded the road from Fort Dodge to Cla- rion. His labors have always been of a character that has con- tributed to public progress and improvement. Aside from com- mercial and industrial activity he became identified with financial interests and is now the vice president of the First National Bank of Fort Dodge.
In 1858 Mr. Mulroney was married to Miss Jane Evans, a daughter of Jeremiah and Hannah (Quimby) Evans. They be- came the parents of eight children: Mary, the wife of Edmund ()'Connell, of Bloomington, Illinois : Josephine, deceased ; Kieran ; William, of Fort Dodge : Joseph R. and Dr. Charles Il., also resi- dents of Fort Dodge: Edward C .. of Missoula. Montana, where he is practicing law: and Lewis A., making his home in Fort Dodge. She and her husband were the first couple married in Humboldt county and she passed away in 1882 at the age of thirty-eight years. In 1884 Mr. Mulroney married again, his second union being with Hannah Burns, a daughter of Patrick Burns. There were three children born of that marriage, of whom two are now living. Frank and Robert E., of Fort Dodge, both of whom are students in the University of Iowa, at lowa City. The daughter Anna died when she was but a year old. Mr. and Mrs. Mulroney are members of the Sacred Heart Catholic church of Fort Dodge. Iowa.
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In politics Mr. Mulroney has always been a democrat but has never been an active politician, although he has held several local positions. He has preferred to concentrate his time and energies upon his private business affairs which have been capably man- aged and have brought to him a measure of success which is gratifying. His business methods have always been such as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny and he has enjoyed in large measure the trust and good-will of the public.
CHARLES B. HEPLER.
Architecture in its broad aspect of municipal building carried on along artistic lines, has for many years occupied the atten- tion of Charles B. Hepler, to whose energy and skill in this profession Fort Dodge owes a great deal of her civic beauty. Mr. Hepler is a native of Philadelphia, in which city his birth occurred on November 6, 1850. His parents were Samuel and Christina (Boyd) Hepler, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in Philadelphia and kept the tollgate at Perkio- menville, Montgomery county, for over fifty years and spent all his life in that city. His death occurred there and there his wife also passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hepler were the parents of two children : Charles B., the subject of this sketch; and Kate, now Mrs. Freed, residing in Atlantic City.
Charles Hepler received his early education in the public schools of Philadelphia. He pursued the usual course of study until he was twelve years of age. At that time, influenced by the rumors of wealth and adventure to be found in the west, he ran away from home and came to Fort Dodge. Iowa, where he immedi- ately obtained a position in the office of Fred Frost, one of the leading architects in Fort Dodge. Thus it was that the future career of Mr. Hepler was determined. He early gained a knowl- edge of the principles of architecture and showed a decided talent in this line. He remained with his original employer, Fred Frost, until 1878, when he became associated in business with a Mr. Brown for about five years and so continued until he established himself in business independently in Fort Dodge and built up through many years of active life a flourishing and successful business. Ile planned, designed and erected a great many of the
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finest dwellings in Fort Dodge and gained such an eminent repu- tation that when the government building was under considera- tion he was appointed inspector. The present magnificent struc- ture is evidence of his ability and efficiency along this line. It is one of the finest government buildings in the state of Iowa and architecturally perfect in every detail. Mr. Hepler also acted as inspector of the county courthouse. He remained in Fort Dodge, becoming more prominent and successful with every year of his life in this city, until 1907 when he went to Sioux City and accepted a position with Curtis Brothers, architects and manufacturers, and remained in that capacity for three years. He is now residing at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, being expert in the branch house of the Farley-Letcher Company. The home office of this company is in Dubuque, Iowa, and during the period of Mr. Hepler's connection with their affairs their growing busi- ness reflected credit upon his ability and professional attainment.
In July, 1871, Mr. Hepler was united in marriage to Mary ( Wright) Jenkins, a daughter of William Henry and Eliza (Chase) Wright. Mrs. Hepler's father was born in Ohio and her grandfather in Virginia, while her mother was a native of New York. They were all affiliated with the Quaker religion, and during the years immediately preceding the Civil war were obliged to move to Ohio in order to avoid living in a slave state. They were stanch abolitionists by personal conviction and also on account of their religious principles. The father later went to Pikes Peak in the days of the Colorado mining boom and became successful as a miner and property owner in that section. llc eventually removed to California and became a substantial and representative citizen of Sacramento. Ile was elected sheriff of the county and was the first man to hold that office. After five years of residence in California Mr. Wright came to lowa and located in West Liberty. Here he engaged in business with his brother as proprietor of a general store, with which he was connected for one year. He later sold his interest to his brother and bought a farm near West Liberty, which he improved and cultivated until his wife died in 1861. In that year Mr. Wright removed to Cedar Falls and accepted a position with the Wells Fargo Express Company as messenger. This was long before the days of railroads and Mr. Wright's duties consisted of driving a stage between Cedar Falls and Dubuque and between Cedar Falls and Sioux City. He held this position until 1868 when he
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went in the railroad contracting business in partnership with a Mr. London. They were employed by the Illinois Central Rail- road to grade their tracks in the vicinity of Fort Dodge. Mr. Wright's activities extended five miles east and five miles west of the city, and the thorough and capable work which he did won him high recognition. He lived in Webster county for some time and became prominent in county politics. He was elected sheriff of that county and served as marshal for a number of years. He was also identified with various other public positions and was one of the representative men of this district. He went to the Black Hills in South Dakota during the first days of the discovery of ore in that region and took up a claim there. He became well known as a publisher and editor. He operated and managed the leading journal in Rapid City and was later con- nected with the Deadwood Times for fifteen or twenty years. His health finally failed and after a period of invalidity he was stricken with pneumonia and died at Lead City, South Dakota. in November. 1882. Mr. Wright's activities in various fields of endeavor always met with a gratifying degree of success. He became well known and prominent wherever he lived and his death removed from the state of South Dakota one of the influen- tial forces in its development .-
To MIr. and Mrs. Charles Hepler were born four children : Grace W., who married C. H. Smith, a prominent politician of Fort Dodge and well known for his activities in the city council under the commission form of government : Anna W., the wife of James W. Leslie, of Seattle, Washington: Carl R., who is now man- aging the Magic and Princess theaters in Fort Dodge; and Fred Chase, who passed away in September, 1880.
Previous to her marriage with our subject Mrs. Hepler had been the wife of Andrew Jenkins, whom she married in August, 1868. He was prominent in the livery business in Fort Dodge at one time and was successful later as an employe of a Milwaukee bridge company, which was spanning the Rock Rapids with a modernly constructed bridge. When that work was com- pleted they commissioned Mr. Jenkins to drive to Sibley, Iowa, for payment. The journey was twelve miles long and had to be made over unimproved roads and in the dead of winter. A ter- rible blizzard overtook the party and Mr. Jenkins was frozen to death. By her former marriage Mrs. Hepler became the mother of two children: Albert, who resides in Fort Dodge, where he
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follows the trade of carpentering: and Markoe, who is an engi- neer for the Illinois Central Railroad with residence at Freeport. Illinois.
Although Mr. Hepler's business keeps him a great part of the time in Sioux Falls, he is a loyal citizen of Fort Dodge and main- tains his residence in this city. He has erected a beautiful home at 1234 Sixth avenue, south, which is one of the most comfortable and commodious in the city. Mr. and Mrs. Hepler are well known in social circles and are among the prominent and popular resi- dents of Fort Dodge. Mrs. Hepler is a charming and hospitable woman with a remarkable degree of culture and literary attain- ment. She is interested in history and is known as an authority upon the conditions of early pioneer settlement in the middle west.
Politically Mr. Hepler keeps himself independent of lines and parties. He is a firm believer in individual right of judgment and always votes for the man regardless of his affiliations. Mrs. Hepler is a member of the Society of Friends, which was the religion of her father and forefathers. Mr. Ilepler does not affil- iate with any particular form of belief. He molds his life ac- cording to principles of high-minded honor and integrity and is well known in Fort Dodge as a man of exemplary character. In all the lines of his activity he is well and favorably known by reason of his professional attainment and the high and intelli- gent quality of his citizenship.
FRANCIS FRANKLIN LUTZ.
Francis F. Lutz follows the trade of tiling in Duncombe, Iowa, and also conducts a pool hall in that city. His career has come to final success after a long period of vicissitudes and the prosperity which he has attained is a credit to his native sagacity and indus- try. He was born in New York city, December 25, 1858, and was left an orphan when only four years of age, being too young to re- member even the names of his parents. He was put in the Soldiers' llome in his native city and after a short time was adopted by George Gilmore, of Brownstown, Illinois, who for five years reared and educated his charge At the end of that time Mr. Lutz was taken from his guardian by the Illinois courts on
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account of the latter's cruelty. He then entered the home of Frank Steinhowe, a farmer and brewer of Vandalia, Illinois, and here he remained for fourteen years. He was seized with yellow fever and was ordered to another climate, going eventually to the Black hills of South Dakota. Here he learned ditching and when he had fully recovered his health went to Clinton, Illinois, where he resided for eight years, following railroading the greater por- tion of the time. Subsequently in 1895, he came to Duncombe, where he worked at his trade of tiling, in which he has been suc- cessful in all for twenty-five years. In the last year he has laid eight hundred rods of tile upon the farms around Duncombe and expects to continue this business after the harvest of 1912. In 1905 he opened a pool hall in the city in which he resides and this he has since conducted successfully.
On January 10, 1886, Mr. Lutz was united in marriage to Miss Anna G. Brown, a daughter of Miles and Mary Etta Brown, natives of Harristown, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Lutz became the parents of fifteen children, of whom the following are deceased, Roy, Minnie Belle, Walter E., Lilly and Lincoln. Those who sur- vive are, Arthur, Mary, Earl. Printhia, Bea, Libby, Anna Rose, Miles, Robert and Franklin.
In his political views Mr. Lutz is republican and has served as marshal of Duncombe for five years. He belongs to the Methodist church, and is a member of the local lodge of Modern Woodmen of America. He has a comfortable home in the city where he has resided for seventeen years, gaining the respect and esteem of his friends by reason of a life which has been made successful through his own efforts and by reason of straightforward principles which have been retained through unusual hardships.
THOMAS J. HALLIGAN.
Thomas J. Halligan, who is cashier of the Bank of Moorland, where he is also engaged in buying live stock, is one of the fore- most citizens of Fulton township, where he holds the title to three hundred and thirty-seven acres of land. . A member of one of Webster county's pioneer families, he was born in Elkhorn township, on the 28th of March. 1881. He is a son of Anthony and Anna (Trainor) Halligan, the former a native of Wiscon-
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
sin and the latter of Ireland. The father removed to Iowa about 1860 with his parents, who located in the vicinity of Dubuque, and there resided for many years. In 1872, he drove across the Iowa prairies to Webster county and began farming for himself as a renter. At the expiration of seven years he had accumu- lated sufficient money to enable him to buy land and he pur- chased a hundred and sixty acres in Elkhorn township. Here he continued his agricultural pursuits with more than an average degree of success, adding to his holdings as the years passed until he held title to five hundred acres. The further improvement and cultivation of his land engaged his attention until 1897, when he left the farm and came to Moorland. He here engaged in stock- buying for about five years, but at the end of that time moved on a farm in Fulton township, where he is now living retired. The mother is deceased, having passed away in 1881.
The son of an agriculturist and born on a farm, the boyhood and youth of Thomas J. Halligan were passed very much as those of other lads who are reared in rural districts. .At the usual age he began his education in the district schools, con- tinuing his course of study in Tobin College at Fort Dodge. After leaving school he returned home and together with his four brothers organized and established a private bank known as the Bank of Moorland. They all assist in the operation of the enter- prise, which is one of the thriving financial institutions of the county. In connection with his duties as cashier Mr. Halligan engages in buying stock and directs the cultivation of his fine homestead. It comprises a hundred and seventy-seven acres of land and is located just outside the corporate limits of Moor- land. He takes great pride in his farm, which is one of the best improved and most attractive properties in this vicinity. He also holds the title to a quarter section of land located four miles from Moorland, which he rents out. His time and energies have always been intelligently expended and despite the fact that he has not attained the age of thirty-two years, yet he is re- garded as one of the foremost business men and most capable agriculturists in the township.
In October, 1906, Mr. Halligan was married to Miss Rose 1. Byrne, a daughter of Michael W. and Anna ( AAndrews ) Byrne. natives of Ireland. Three children were born of this marriage. as follows: Mary Fern, who is in her sixth year: Lawrence P. who is in his fifth year; and one, who died in infancy Mrs
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