USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 19
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In 1886 Mr. Stoll established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Margaret Ebener, who was born in Germany, June 15, 1862, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Franz Ebener, who were likewise natives of the fatherland, whence they came to America in 1868 and made a location in Chicago, where their
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remaining years were passed. Mrs. Stoll is one of a family of three children and by her marriage she has become the mother of three children, Carl F., Meta C., and Franz C., all at home. The parents are members of the German Lutheran church.
Mr. Stoll's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give stalwart support to the democratic party and he has served as school direc- tor but otherwise has not held public office. He possesses the strong, rugged and persevering characteristics developed by his earlier environment, which, coupled with the livelier impulses of the Teutonic blood of his ancestors, made him at an early day seek wider fields in which to give full scope to his ambition and industry-his dominant qualities. He is thoroughly American in thought and feeling, and his career is identified with the interests of Jackson county where he is an honored and respected citizen.
DOUGLAS TAYLOR.
The agricultural interests of Jackson township find a worthy representative in Douglas Taylor, who is living on section 36. His farm is that on which he was born January II, 1863, his parents being J. L. and Maria (Daniels) Taylor, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, where they were reared and mar- ried. In the early '40s they came to Jackson county, Iowa, entering from the government the farm on which their son is now living. They built thereon a little log cabin which sheltered them from the elements for a few years, until they could have a better habitation. They endured the many hardships and privations of pioneer life and witnessed the great change that transformed the character of the country, for the father lived until December 10, 1899, when he passed away, while the mother died May 15, 1890. In their family were eleven children, namely: Isaac, who is now living in South Dakota; Poke, of Maquoketa; Peggy Jane, who is deceased; Sarah Jane, who has likewise passed away; Mary A., who is the widow of William O'Neil, of this county ; Matilda, of Maquoketa ; Melissa, who is the wife of James Preston, of Delaware county, Iowa; Elizabeth, who is the wife of John Ritcheal, of Maquoketa; Smith and Benton, who are deceased; and Douglas, who is the subject of this sketch.
In the common schools of his native township Douglas Taylor acquired his education, and throughout his school period assisted his father in the work of the farm. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he laid the foundation for a happy home life of his own in his mar- riage to Miss Mary Daniels, who was born in this county, February 1I, 1872. She was a daughter of Kinsey and Jane Daniels, who were natives of Pennsyl- vania and came to Iowa at an early date. Mr. Daniels died December 17, 1889, but his widow is still living and makes her home in this county. They were the parents of ten children. After his marriage Mr. Taylor rented the homestead for about nine years and then bought it and now owns two hundred and fifty- four acres on section 36. It is a finely developed property, well improved and maintained under a good state of cultivation, the air of neatness which pervades
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MR. AND MRS. DOUGLAS TAYLOR
MR. AND MRS. J. L. TAYLOR
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bespeaking thrift and progressiveness on the part of the owner. Mr. Taylor has made a specialty of raising and feeding stock of all kinds, and is known as one of the extensive cattle and hog raisers of this part of the state, carrying on a business of large proportions and of substantial profits.
Eight children have been born to gladden the home of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, namely : Elma V., whose birth occurred February 17, 1891, and who is now at- tending high school at Preston; Elsie, who was born May 13, 1892; Elmyra, September 16, 1893 ; Matilda, November 4, 1895; James L., June 11, 1897; Zola, February 19, 1903; Mary Madge, April 30, 1906; and Douglas L., February 20, 1908. Mr. Taylor is a republican, with firm faith in the principles of the party, but without desire for office, and during the long period he was a school director he proved that he was a stanch friend of education by the practical and efficient service he rendered. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Brotherhood of America, with the Odd Fellows lodge at Preston and with the Modern Wood- men camp at Spragueville, while with his wife he belongs to the Royal Neighbors. Among his fellow members in these organizations and in the community at large he has made many stanch friends, for he is generally recognized as a man of upright and honorable life, whose success has been gained through measures that require no disguise.
NICHOLAS GODES. .
It would be difficult to find in the length and breadth of Jackson county a man whose experiences have been more varied and interesting than those of Nicholas Godes. Picturesque old Brachtenbach in Luxemburg was the scene of his birth, which occurred June 22, 1849. Although of German stock, his parents, Henry and Katherine (Koch) Godes, were both born in the district that then belonged to France, and lived all their lives in that country. They were the parents of ten children. Margaret became the wife of Peter Urbes and at present is residing in Minnesota. Henry and John are deceased. Susannah also has passed on to her reward after living for forty years a life of renunciation as a sister of charity in Nancy, France. Elizabeth is the wife of John Kline and lives in Germany. Mary is deceased, as is also the seventh child who died in infancy. Mr. Godes was the eighth in order of birth. Sophia is the wife of Dominick Mentzier. Claus makes his home in Van Buren town- ship, Jackson county.
Through various adversities the family found itself in very straitened cir- cumstances and Mr. Godes was forced to begin his struggles for a livelihood at the early age of seven years. When fifteen he found work in a coal mine in Belgium and was thus employed for about four months. He afterward had opportunity to materially supplement his education that he had managed to obtain in Germany. When nineteen years of age he went to France, locating in Rheims, near Paris, where he secured the position of valet de chambre with the Count de Savigny. After the passage of many years Mr. Godes still pays faithful allegiance to the memory of this count in whose household he spent
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such a pleasant term of service. The count's wife was a member of the very ancient and distinguished Duke De Briemont family which has always played an important part in French history and whose founding dates from the tenth century. The countess, after the demise of her husband, established a home for friendless people and she still oversees this philanthropic institution. She has never forgotten the youth who served her husband so faithfully and has corresponded with him, the last letter from the family being received about five years ago.
It was in 1874 that Mr. Godes decided to cast in his lot with American citizens and upon landing on the shores of the new world made his way to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In the vicinity of that city he worked on a farm for a year, receiving a compensation of ten dollars per month for his services. During the succeeding year he found work in Putman county, Illinois, in a similar capacity and then removed to Jackson county, where for the first three years he worked in the lumber yard of Mr. Till. In the meantime he supple- mented his early education by attending the English schools at Mount Pal- atine, Illinois, for one term, and for some time was a student in the night schools of Preston. Ere coming to this country, during the French and Ger- man war of 1871, he attended school in a building that was later turned into a hospital for the French. Later all the French soldiers were removed farther south and the Germans took possession of the building. Mr. Godes acted as interpreter there and was also obliged to be custodian. At that time anarchy was rampant and men of marked anarchistic tendencies threatened to burn and destroy the building. This condition of things lasted for five months. Mr. Godes also assisted in handling many of the wounded of the battle of St. Quentine and witnessed a great many sad scenes at the operating table.
Following his arrival in Jackson county, Iowa, and his three years' service in the lumber yard of Mr. Till, he conducted a billiard parlor at Preston and afterward served as postmaster during the administration of Grover Cleve- land. On the expiration of his term he purchased the Sweet lumber yard, which he conducted for several years, and in the meantime also took up the pursuit of farming. In 1900 he had come to the conclusion that it would be advisable to devote his entire attention to agricultural pursuits and in pur- suance with this idea he sold the lumber yard and bought the Oak Park farm, adjoining Preston. He has since been busily engaged in tilling the soil and also in raising stock, making a specialty of Poland China hogs and shorthorn cattle. He is an extensive cattle feeder and this branch of his business brings him a substantial income. His present holdings consist of three hundred and eighty acres in Jackson county, north and east of Preston, a property which he was very fortunate in securing just previous to the rise in the price of land. His farm is one of the finest and most highly improved to be found in the county.
On October 18, 1891, Mr. Godes took as his wife Miss Mary Flynn, a native of Clinton county, her parents, Matthew and Margaret (Phalen) Flynn, both being natives of Ireland. They came to America in 1836 and located in Deep Creek township, Clinton county, where the father became the possessor of a homestead. Mr. Flynn pursued a double vocation, working on his farm in
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the summer and in the winter mining near Dubuque. Mrs. Godes was one of a family of five children. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Godes has been blessed by the birth of three children. The eldest died in infancy. The others are a son and daughter, Henry Francis and Margaret Katherine, both at home.
Mr. Godes is a loyal democrat and has, during his residence in the coun- try, taken an active and intelligent part in matters political. He has held the offices of township clerk and county chairman and is always in attendance at state conventions. In addition to his other interests he holds the position of vice president of the German Savings Bank of Preston. Mr. Godes is a mem- ber of the Knights of Columbus and he and his wife are members of the Catholic church. Great credit is due him for the fact that although his edu- cational opportunities were few in youth, he has greatly broadened his knowl- edge through subsequent reading, study and experience until his intellectual development is now in advance of many college bred students. He speaks five languages and writes German, French and English. The improvement of opportunity has seemed to be the keynote of his character and in making use of each advantage he has gained a sound footing financially. At the same time he has won the esteem of the community in which he lives and is even more to be congratulated upon this than the fact that he has achieved financial success.
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WILLIAM P. DUNN.
William P. Dunn, who for the past nine years has been the proprietor of a livery, feed and sales stable in Bellevue, was born on a farm three miles southeast of that town, in Bellevue township, Jackson county, his natal day being June 13, 1876. His parents, Peter and Margaret (McCarthy) Dunn, are both now deceased. The father, whose birth occurred in Queens county, Ireland, in 1815, was a lad of twelve years when in 1827 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States in company with his elder brothers and settled in Little Falls, New York. There he grew to manhood and was married, being joined in wedlock to Miss Anna Lenox, by whom he had four children: Edward, John, Peter and Sarah. In the spring of 1853 Peter Dunn came to Iowa, locat- ing on a farm in Jackson county. The death of his wife occurred a few years later and in August, 1869, he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Margaret Linahan, who in maidenhood was Miss Margaret McCarthy. She was born near Castletown in county Cork, Ireland, in 1835 and emigrated to America in 1857. In September, 1861, she gave her hand in marriage to John Linahan, whose demise occurred on the 15th of September, 1862. Unto them was born one son, J. C. Linahan. In August, 1869, Mrs. Linahan became the wife of Peter Dunn, by whom she had four children, namely: Catherine and Mary, who make their home in Bellevue; Andrew, who died at the age of twenty-eight years; and William P., of this review. Mrs. Margaret Dunn, the mother, passed away at her home in Bellevue on the 30th of January, 1903. She had survived her husband for a decade, the death of Peter Dunn having
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occurred in Bellevue township on the 5th of January, 1893. The farm on which he passed away had been his home continuously for forty years and he was well known throughout the community as a substantial and respected citizen.
William P. Dunn, whose name initiates this review, spent the first sixteen years of his life on the farm where his birth occurred. Following the death of his father he and his mother took up their abode in Bellevue and during the early period of his residence here he worked as a laborer, giving some time to teaming. He also bought and sold horses and, finding this line of activity profitable, has been engaged in buying and shipping horses to the present time, handling about three hundred head annually. Nine years ago he opened a livery, feed and sales stable and has since enjoyed a liberal patronage in this connection, keeping on hand about twenty horses as well as a number of fine vehicles.
On the 12th of June, 1906, Mr. Dunn was united in marriage to Miss Susanna Lucke, a native of Bellevue, Iowa, and a daughter of Joseph Lucke, a retired pioneer shoe merchant of Bellevue. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn have one child, Margaret Elizabeth.
Fraternally Mr. Dunn is identified with the Knights of Columbus and the Foresters, while in religious faith he is a Catholic. His life in its varied rela- tions has been guided by high and honorable principles, and as a business man he displays a spirit of enterprise which has brought to him a desirable measure of success. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dunn have always lived in this county and have a host of warm friends within its borders.
CHARLES W. FARR.
Charles W. Farr, attorney at law, practicing in Maquoketa, his ability securing for him a large clientele, was born in Maquoketa township, March 15, 1860. He is a son of Daniel T. and Hannah (Haines) Farr, the former a native of New York and the latter of Canada. In the paternal line he is a representative of an old New England family, the original American ancestor coming from England and settling in Massachusetts early in the seventeenth century. The branch of the family to which Charles W. Farr belongs was eventually planted in Vermont but later removed to the state of New York. His grandmother Farr was Miss Candall Thompson, and both the Farr and Thompson families were connected with the American forces in the Revolu- tionary war. The grandfather of our subject and his wife's father were both soldiers in the patriot army and the latter, Daniel Thompson, then a man over seventy years, participated in the battle of Plattsburg. The powder horn which he carried through the war is now in possession of him whose name introduces this review. The Haines family were of Holland Dutch descent and held a position of neutrality during the contest between the colonies and the mother country. The grandmother Haines bore the maiden name of
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Foster and her father was a member of the Kings Rangers, the Fosters being also early settlers of Massachusetts. After the close of the war he and others with that command fled to Canada.
In 1844 Daniel T. Farr went to Canada and was married there to Hannah Haines in 1846. In 1854 he came to Jackson county, Iowa, which he had visited the previous year. It was his intention to buy the eighty acre tract of land on which a part of Maquoketa now stands but it was sold two days before his arrival. He then sought another location, purchasing about three hundred acres in Maquoketa township, three and a half miles northeast of the city. He settled upon that tract, began its cultivation and resided there until his death, which occurred October 31, 1895. As the years passed by he pros- pered in his undertakings and as his financial resources increased added to his original property until he owned five hundred acres of rich and valuable land. In politics he was a democrat. His wife still survives and yet resides on the old homestead.
Charles W. Farr spent his youth as a farm boy, mastering the elementary branches of learning in the district schools. But ambitious to enjoy further educational advantages he afterward attended the Maquoketa high school and the Western Normal College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1883. His literary course completed, he began reading law and in the fall of 1883 entered the law department of the State University at Iowa City and was graduated therefrom in the class of 1884. He opened a law office in Maquoketa on the 5th of January, 1885, at which time he had seven dollars and thirty cents in his pocket and had incurred an indebtedness of one hun- dred and fifty dollars. He resolutely faced the situation, however, and resolved that he would win a good practice if it could be accomplished through devotion to duty and capability in the management and conduct of his cases. He pros- pered from the beginning and in 1886 was elected the first county attorney of Jackson county. Never faltering in the performance of any duty, when he took the oath of office he determined to discharge his duties without fear or favor and in looking over the statutes he found the "prohibitory law" so called a part of the statutes of Iowa and a part of his duties to enforce it. He imme- diately began to faithfully perform his duties. During his term of office he succeeded in abolishing every saloon in the county though at no time an advocate of prohibition. This naturally won him the opposition and enmity of those who favored the liquor traffic, but he persevered in the course that he believed to be his duty. His political allegiance is given to the democracy.
Aside from his practice Mr. Farr has valuable farming interests and is the owner of the old homestead of five hundred and eighty acres, together with one hundred and thirty acres in Maquoketa township, two quarter sections in northwest Iowa in Buena Vista and Dickinson counties, one hundred and forty-six acres on the Mississippi bottoms in Jackson county, a quarter section in Nebraska, thirteen hundred acres in Texas near Houston, lands in Dakota and Wisconsin, and other property which makes him one of the most exten- sive landowners of the county. He is likewise a stockholder in the First National Bank. He is now serving his second year as president of the school board of the city of Maquoketa.
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On the 14th of April, 1892, Mr. Farr was united in marriage to Miss Anna Reynolds, of Maquoketa, a daughter of Job Reynolds, now deceased. Unto them were born three children, Reynolds, Edith and Marth, the latter now deceased. The family is a prominent one socially and the household is justly noted for its warm hearted hospitality.
Mr. Farr is a member of Peerless Lodge, No. 60, K. P., and in all matters of citizenship manifests a public spirited devotion to the general good that finds tangible expression in active and helpful cooperation with many move- ments that have been of much benefit to the city. His position and his repu- tation today give little indication of the young man who arrived in Maquoketa twenty-five years ago with some knowledge of the law but with no other resources than integrity and with no experience to constitute the basis upon which to build the superstructure of his professional career. Determined, resolute, ambitious and energetic, he has made continuous progress and is now numbered among the leading representatives and successful attorneys of this county. Many a poor man has had the benefit of his helping hand, the under- man always appealing to him. He has done and said what he thought was right regardless of whether it was what is called popular.
O. W. JOINER.
O. W. Joiner, intelligent and influential, his appreciation of opportunity being manifest in the wise use he made of the advantages that came to him, was in former years connected with many manufacturing interests in Jack- son county but in later years gave his entire attention to his farming and live- stock enterprises. He made his home in Maquoketa but was widely and favorably known throughout the entire county.
His birth occurred in Essex county, New York, June 7, 1839. He was a son of Lysander and Eliza Ann (Butler) Joiner, who were likewise natives of Essex county, where they continued their residence until called to their final rest. There O. W. Joiner was reared and educated, attending the public schools, including a term's study at the high school at Moriah and also at Fort Edward, New York. He then put aside his text books and on reaching manhood he engaged in the timber business in company with his brother, Henry M. Joiner, now of Davenport. His identification with that enterprise continued until 1869, when the opportunities of the middle west attracted him and he came to Iowa.
For a year Mr. Joiner remained in Davenport, but in the spring of 1870 removed to Jackson county and, settling in Maquoketa, was there engaged in the lumber business for twelve years. He won success in the undertaking . but in 1882 severed his connection with the lumber trade and removed to South Fork township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. He built thereon a lime plant, which he operated extensively for twenty-five years. He owned four hundred and fifty acres of farm and timber land and for several years operated his farm in connection with the lime business, but
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recently gave up the manufacture of lime and devoted his entire attention to his farming and livestock enterprises.
In 1870 Mr. Joiner was married to Miss Emma A. Gold, of the state of New York, and unto them were born two children, both of whom died in early life. The mother passed away in 1882 and in 1884 Mr. Joiner was united in mar- riage to Miss Charlotte Cundill. They had two children: Mary E., a grad- uate of Cornell College and now a teacher in the Mason City high school; and Melvin W., who is attending the State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, from which he will graduate in June, 1910. The death of the husband and father occurred in December, 1909.
A republican in his political views, Mr. Joiner gave stanch support to the party because of his firm belief in its principles. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and served on the official board. He was a man of strong and forceful purpose, accomplishing what he undertook, but at the same time was ever mindful of the rights and privileges of others. He sought his success in the legitimate lines of business and won his prosperity through intelligently directed effort. Such was the regard entertained for him that he was numbered among the most influential and esteemed residents of Jack- son county.
J. N. KIEFFER.
J. N. Kieffer, carrying on general agricultural pursuits, his time and energies being devoted to the further development, cultivation and improvement of a fine farm of two hundred and ten acres on sections 2 and 3, Bellevue township, is numbered among the native sons of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Tete des Morts township, Jackson county, August 31, 1858. His father, Nicholas Kieffer, was born in Luxemburg in 1828 and upon reaching mature age emigrated to America. He came to Jackson county, Iowa, and after living here about two years returned to his native land, where in 1853 he was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Tinnes, likewise a native of Luxemburg. Shortly after their union the couple came to Jackson county, Iowa, settling in Tete des Morts town- ship, where they established their home. The mother died there in February, 1905, but the father still survives and resides in Bellevue.
As a farm boy J. N. Kieffer enjoyed the sports in which the youth of the period generally indulged, and later his time was largely devoted to the work of the schoolroom and the duties of the farm. He continued to assist his father until he reached the age of twenty-seven years, when he married and desired to establish a home of his own. He then bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Washington township, whereon he resided and worked for fourteen years, at the end of which time he sold it. In 1902 he purchased his present place, which embraces two hundred and ten acres of rich and productive land. His fields are well tilled and in addition to general farming he is engaged to some extent in raising and feeding stock. Both branches of his business are bringing him a good financial return, and he is justly accounted one of the substantial agriculturists and stockmen of the county.
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