USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 22
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other facts that with the aid of modern machinery a man could now cultivate forty-five acres of corn while in 1855 in the same length of time he could cul- tivate only eight acres. While still a resident of New York he has been a can- didate for the state legislature, but was defeated by a small majority, owing to the fact that he was making the race on a democratic ticket in a republican county. Mr. Parshall at all times keeps abreast with the best thinking men of the age in his study of sociological, economic and political problems and his opin- ions on such subjects are of value, for he has been a keen observer and is a close reasoner.
In 1884 Mr. Parshall was united in marriage to Miss Ella Rebecca Smith, who was born in Linn county, Iowa, and they have two children : Genevieve, for- merly a student in the Iowa State University and now at home; and Wilhelmina, a high school pupil in Maquoketa. Mr. Parshall is identified with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Maquoketa and with his family attends the Congregational church, contributing to its support. Throughout Jackson county and this part of the state he is spoken of in terms of admiration and respect. His life has been so varied in its activity, so honorable in its purposes, so far reaching and bene- ficial in its effects that it has become an integral part of the history of the county, where he has lived from pioneer times and so directed his efforts that his labors have been of notable value to the community, while at the same time in business circles he has given substantial proof of his keen discernment and capable manage- ment in the attainment of gratifying success.
PATRICK F. DOLAN.
Patrick F. Dolan, successfully carrying on farming and stock raising in Fair- field township, Jackson county, is a native of New England, his birth occurring in Vermont on the 23d of December, 1847. As the name indicates, he is of Irish descent, his parents, Martin and Bridget (Rudy) Dolan, having both been born and reared on the Emerald isle. They came to America in 1847 and took up their abode in Vermont, where for eight years the father followed railroading. The year 1854 witnessed the arrival of the family in Iowa, settlement being made in Clinton county, where the father purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land at a cost of five hundred dollars. To the cultivation of this farm he con- tinued to direct his energies until the time of his demise, which occurred in the year following the death of his wife. He was very successful in his agricultural pursuits, accumulating a property of eight hundred and forty acres, which con- stituted him one of the extensive landowners of his section of the county. In his family were twelve children, eight of whom are still living.
Reared under the parental roof, Patrick F. Dolan acquired a good knowledge of the English language as a pupil in the common schools, and when not engaged with his text-books aided in the work of the fields. He remained at home, giving his father the benefit of his assistance, until 1863, when he ran away from home and. inspired by the spirit of patriotism, although only sixteen years of age, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company G, Twenty-
MR. AND MRS. PATRICK F. DOLAN
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sixty Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served with that regiment for two years and in the meantime saw much active service, participating in several hotly contested engagements. He took part in the battle of Atlanta, at which time he was wounded and was taken to the hospital, where he remained for several weeks. When strong enough he returned home on a thirty days' fur- lough, after which he rejoined his regiment and served until the close of hostili- ties, being mustered out on the 28th of July, 1865.
When the country no longer needed his services, Mr. Dolan returned home and worked for his father until 1870, when he laid the foundation for a happy home life of his own by his marriage to Miss Anna M. Loughery, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For one year after his marriage he remained on the home farm, and then, in 1871, he took up his abode on his present farm, con- sisting of two hundred and forty acres located on section 36, Fairfield township. He has since concentrated his energies upon the cultivation of this tract, and under his careful management the fields have been brought under a high state of cultivation. In connection with general farming he devotes considerable time to stock interests, raising and feeding all kinds of stock, and both branches of his business are proving remunerative.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dolan were born six children, namely: Martin, now deceased; Mary, the wife of John Kane, of Preston, Iowa; John, residing in Clinton county, Iowa; James, also deceased; Edward, assisting his father in the operation of the home farm; and Frank, who makes his home in Lyons, Iowa. On the 15th of April, 1909, Mrs. Nolan was called to her final rest, her remains being interred in St. Joseph cemetery. Aside from her husband and four sons she left a wide circle of friends to mourn her loss, for her many excellent traits of mind and heart had endeared her to all with whom she was associated.
Mr. Nolan and his family are communicants of the Catholic church, the teachings of which constitute the guiding influence of their lives, while politically he gives stalwart support to the democratic party. Although not an office-seeker, he has served as school director for about twenty years, his long connection with the school board indicating the efficiency with which he performed his duties in that capacity. With him perseverance, diligence and integrity have constituted the guiding elements in his life, bringing him to the honorable position which he now occupies in the opinion of his fellow citizens, among whom he has long lived and labored.
HON. JAMES WHITCOMB ELLIS.
The life record of Hon. James Whitcomb Ellis presents many and varied phases which have won him the respect, confidence and honor of his fellow- men, but perhaps no single act of his life has brought him more prominently before the people of Iowa than his recent work in securing from the general assembly, of which he is a member, an appropriation for the erection of a monument to Ansel Briggs, Iowa's first governor. In this he has builded better than he knew, for it stands as the visible evidence of the loyalty and
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patriotism of a man who recognizes the importance of the labors and public works of him who was first called to preside as chief executive of this com- monwealth.
While James Whitcomb Ellis is well known in Iowa and especially in Jackson county, his fellow townsmen will peruse again with pleasure the history of some of the events which constitute his life record. He was born near Danville, Hendricks county, Indiana, on the 25th of November, 1848. His parents, Jesse and Ailsea (Jeffers) Etlis, were both born near Frankfort, in Franklin county, Kentucky, and in 1832 emigrated to Indiana, whence they came to Jackson county, Iowa, in 1852. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of old Virginia and removed to Kentucky about the year 1800. His father was also a native of the Old Dominion. The maternal grandmother of J. W. Ellis was likewise a Virginian and a daughter of Ed- ward Flathers, who was born in England in 1755 and came to Virginia when a small boy. He served three terms of enlistment in the Virginia militia during the Revolutionary war. After his marriage to Clara Legg, a Mary- land lady, he emgirated to Kentucky about the beginning of the nineteenth century and from there to Hendricks county, Indiana, where he died in 1847, at the age of ninety-two years. His wife passed away in 1848, at the age of ninety-four years. The five Flathers brothers who came to Iowa in 1842- four of them to Jackson county-were grandsons of Edward and Clara (Legg) Flathers.
Jesse and Ailsea (Jeffers) Ellis were parents of eleven children, eight of whom are still living, namely: Mary, who resides with her brother James ; Fannie, who is the wife of Philip Hocher, of Boone county, Indiana, and has one child, a daughter ; Isaac, of Ocosta, Washington, who married Jane Brush and has seven children who have reached adult age; James Whitcomb, of this review; William, unmarried, who is in the Klondike country; John, who is a merchant at Fairbanks, Alaska, and is a widower with two sons: Esther, who married M. L. Williams and has one son and one daughter, their home being now in Tacoma, Washington; and Stephen, who enlisted in Company B, Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and died at Nashville, Tennessee, December 20, 1863.
James W. Ellis was reared on his father's farm and attended the country school until fourteen years of age, but in the school of experience he has been continually learning life's lessons and his mastery thereof has enabled him not only to cope with the problems of the business world but also to bring to a successful solution many questions which have effected the welfare and progress of his fellowmen, of his home community and the state at large. During the period of the Civil war he made several attempts to join the army and finally, when he was sixteen years of age, 'he did get to the front long enough to witness the terrible campaign from Culpepper to Petersburg in June, 1864. Then, by parental authority, exercised because of his youth, he returned home, but the military spirit was strong within him and in May, 1866, he enlisted for service on the frontier, went to Fort Leavenworth, joined a battalion of recruits and marched to Fort Union, New Mexico, under com- mand of General George Sykes. He was assigned to Company H, Fifth United
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States Infantry, and sent to Fort Sumner, New Mexico, on the Navajo Indian reservation. He served in various capacities during the winter and the next spring the battalion to which he belonged was ordered back on the plains, as nearly all the plains' tribes had gone on the warpath. The command marched to Fort Wallace, Kansas, near the Colorado line, and while there was attacked with cholera, which depleted the ranks nearly fifty per cent. After recovering from a mild attack of the dread disease, Mr. Ellis was sent with a detach- ment of his company to guard a mail station on the Smoky Hill stage line to Denver at Hugo Springs. The coming of cold weather drove the Indians to their winter quarters and the detachment was recalled, the company being ordered to Fort Hayes, a point which had just been reached by the railroad, while the fort at that time was only a collection of tents and government stores. The march was made in about eight inches of snow, which at night the men shoveled away, sleeping on the frozen ground, wrapped in their blankets. The next spring the company was sent to Fort Harker and from there to Camp Davison, near the mouth of the Little Arkansas. After carry- ing mail and dispatches to Fort Harker for several weeks Mr. Ellis was de- tailed to drive an ambulance for Colonel West, who was ordered with his troop of the Seventh United States Cavalry on a scout on the Solomon and Saline rivers and from that time he remained with the Seventh Cavalry in the campaigns of 1868 and the winter campaigns of 1868-9.
After serving three years Mr. Ellis returned home, engaged in farm work and in buying and cutting off timber lands. His life has always been an etxremely busy one, whether on the western frontier or in the pursuits of civil life as he has operated and managed his farm or conducted a growing fire insurance business. After his return from the west he continuously de- voted his energies to farming, together with various side issues, until 1907, when he removed to Maquoketa. Since 1889, however, he has been engaged in the real estate and fire insurance business and particularly in the latter line has gained a gratifying clientage. Enjoying now the comforts that unfalter- ing diligence and capable management bring, he is not ashamed of the fact that in his youth he was familiar with the privations of pioneer life and that he started out upon his married life with little capital save a stout heart, willing hands, firm purpose and laudable ambition.
It was on the 16th of October, 1870, that Mr. Ellis wedded Mary M. Forbes, a daughter and granddaughter of pioneers and a descendant on both sides from Revolutionary heroes. The death of Mrs. Ellis occurred March 3, 1907. She was born at Baraboo, Wisconsin, September 28, 1853, and was brought to Iowa by her parents, Henry Clay and Orpha Ann (Waldo) Forbes, the same year. Extended mention of Mrs. Ellis is made in the chapter on the Maquo- keta Homecoming in the historical section of this work. Few women have been as sincerely loved and mourned in their home community. In a public address delivered concerning her it was said: "In the organization and the work of the Old Settlers' Society her interest and zeal were without limit. The most unselfish of human beings, she poured all of her strength into the lives of those about her and the work in which she was engaged, apparently unconscious of the sacrifice. At the hearthstone, in the moments of relaxa-
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tion, her presence with her family was of rare superiority and dignity-both a benediction and an inspiration." Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ellis, of whom five have reached adult years and are living, all but one resid- ing in Maquoketa. These are: Charles F. and Frank E., both of whom have families; Belle, at home; Jessie V., the wife of Fred Allbright, living near Des Moines; and Nellie, at home.
While Mr. Ellis is recognized as a successful business man, he has never regarded the pursuit of wealth as the chief aim and end of life, although he has never found greater happiness than in ministering to the welfare and comfort of his family, and his neighbors have thus expressed it: "He is the best man to his family we ever knew." However, his activities have touched many interests and in many instances have proved of far-reaching benefit. He filled the office of justice of the peace for four years and was president of the South Fork township school board for twenty years. The cause of edu- cation has ever found in him an earnest and effective champion and he has been equally active in his interest in military affairs. For eight years he served on the Soldiers' Relief Commission, has been commander of A. W. Drips Post, G. A. R., commander of R. M. Anderson Command, No. 5, Union Veterans' Union, commander of the department of Iowa of the Union Veter- ans' Union and was honored with the second highest office in that organiza- tion when chosen deputy commander in chief of the national command of that order. Always interested in historical research, he has been secretary and treasurer of the Maquoketa Valley Pioneer and Old Settlers' Society for nearly twenty years and in April, 1903, organized the Jackson County Histor- ical Society, of which he has since been secretary and curator. A public service which Mr. Ellis performed that won him in large measure the grati- tude and appreciation of his fellow townsmen and many former residents of Maquoketa now living in all parts of the country was that which resulted in the "Homecoming of 1907." It was an occasion never to be forgotten by any who participated therein. Mr. Ellis was foremost in the movement which brought back to Maquoketa hundreds who had previously resided here and for whom most interesting entertainment was provided. A most interesting account of the homecoming is given in the historical section of this work. Mr. Ellis received substantial token of the appreciation of his fellow citizens in the gift of a beautiful silver set, which he prizes highly and of which he has every reason to be justly proud.
Mr. Ellis has won more than local recognition as a writer, his authorship including a volume entitled Bygone Days, a history of pioneer times ; Life on the Plains, published in serial form; and Personal Recollections of Custer. He has contributed many articles on various questions of public moment to the press during the past ten or twelve years and while traveling broadly over this country has written much concerning his trips for the press. He was instrumental in erecting a monument to Hon. Thomas Cox, a pioneer law- maker, and following his election to the legislature on the democratic ticket -and he has always been a loyal advocate of the democracy-he secured an appropriation from the state of a thousand dollars wherewith to erect a mon- ument to honor the name of Ansel Briggs, Iowa's first governor and a pioneer
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of Jackson county. He raised three hundred dollars by subscription in the county, brought the remains of the governor back from Omaha, Nebraska, and under the auspices of the Jackson County Historical Society there was unveiled, on the 22d of September, 1909, in the town of Andrew, in the pres- ence of Governor Carroll, ex-Governor Larrabee, many members of the thirty- third general assembly and five thousand people, a splendid granite monu- ment dedicated to Ansel Briggs. A full account of the celebration on that occasion is given in the historical section of this work, but it is fitting that mention be made of the part that Representative Ellis took in securing the monument. His interest in the movement was inspired by his grandmother, who had made her home with his family the greater part of the time between 1886 and 1898 and who had lived a near neighbor of the Briggs family in the territorial times and had known the family since 1838. The remains of Gov- ernor Briggs were in an unmarked grave across the border of the state, while his wife and children were buried in the town that had been his home for more than thirty years. Believing that Iowa should pay honor to her first governor in placing his remains by the side of those of members of his family and by erecting a monument to his memory, Mr. Ellis started the movement. He introduced the first bill presented at the thirty-third session of the legisla- ture, under title of House File, No. I, by Ellis of Jackson. On that occasion Representative Boettger of Davenport said: "We may sing the praises and stand here and tell you of his untiring efforts, but words and music cannot express what Mr. Ellis endured until the bill so dear to him and you was finally signed by the governor. You may and should be proud of the man whose untiring efforts made it possible for you and me to pay homage to our first chief executive." Representative Balluff, after speaking of Mr. Ellis' untiring efforts in behalf of the monument, added: "I also wish to pay a de- served tribute to your able representative in another direction. You, as his neighbors, acquaintances and constituents, are well aware that he has no bad habits and, therefore, had little occasion to spend his time smoking in the cloak room. He could always be found in his seat paying strict attention to the proceedings and his ability to determine the right and wrong of the pending legislative bills was remarkable. It was quite noticeable that other members made frequent inquiries of Mr. Ellis as to the status of matters pending or the desirability of supporting or defeating the same, and I have heard it said that his judgment was uniformly right." Senator Wilson of Clinton county, on the same occasion, said : "I doubt very much if any mem- ber of either house or senate could have secured the appropriation at this time. But he would not become discouraged and by his winning way and constant wrok success crowned his efforts and we are here today to do honor to the departed ex-governor and celebrate the victory of the gentleman from Jackson."
No history of Mr. Ellis would be complete without mention of what has been termed "The Ellisonian Institute." From the time when a boy of four or five years he gathered the Indian flints and arrowheads in the fields of Jackson county he has been a collector of relics, strange, interesting and his- torical, and has secured almost the largest and most valuable collec-
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tion of relics and curios in the state and one of the largest private collections in the world. It contains many relics of prehistoric people as well as of the Indians, many Civil war relics and interesting articles which were sent him by the American soldiers in the West Indies and in the Philippines during the Spanish-American war. His collection of firearms is said to be the best of its kind in the world and his swords, each with a history, include some used in the Revolutionary war, the Napoleonic wars and every war since. He has splendid fossilized specimens of animal and plant life, costumes and the weap- ons from various lands, implements of industry showing the changes and improvements of two hundred years, together with autographs and autograph letters of famous people. It seems hardly possible that within his lifetime one man, without making this a business, should have brought together such a splendid collection, and it is Mr. Ellis' purpose to some day make a gift of this to county or state.
In his home community, where best known, Mr. Ellis, by his genial man- ner, unfailing courtesy, helpful spirit and freedom from ostentation, has gained a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances. He continually has in hand some work for the benefit of another and has been particularly active in getting pensions for old soldiers or in securing their admission to the soldiers' home. His whole life has shown his devotion to his country and his love for and interest in the welfare of his fellowmen.
ADAM HECKELSMILLER.
Among the residents of Bellevue whose activity and diligence in former years now make it possible for them to live retired in the enjoyment of well earnest rest is Adam Heckelsmiller, who was born in Nockenheim, near Meines, Germany, on the 24th of December, 1843. He belongs to a family that, like many another, has come from across the water to profit by the opportunities of the new world. His parents were 'Mathias and Katharine (Smith) Heckelsmiller, both natives of the fatherland, who came to America in 1852, settlement being made in Galena, Illinois. Only six months, how- ever, were spent at that place, after which they removed to a farm in Tete des Morts township, Jackson county, Iowa, where the family resided for three years, then returned to Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where the family home was established. The father, who after his arrival in this country followed river pursuits for a number of years, subsequently turned his attention to farming, in which line of activity he continued throughout the rest of his active life. At the time of his demise, which occurred when he was seventy-three years of age, he was making his home with a daughter in Washington township, Jackson county, Iowa, but his wife passed away in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, at the age of fifty-three years. Their family consisted of seven children, as follows : Mathias and John, both deceased ; Lena, who passed away in infancy ; Theresa Regeth, also deceased ; Peter, who died at the age of two years ; John, residing in Bellevue ; and Adam, of this review.
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The last named was a little lad of nine years when he came with his parents to this country, and his education, which had been begun in the fatherland, was completed in the schools of Illinois and Iowa. He remained at home, dividing his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the tasks assigned him by parental authority, until sixteen years of age, when, starting out in life on his own account, he became identified with river pursuits. He followed that occupation until the year 1865, when in response to the country's call for additional troops, he enlisted on the 24th of February from Jo Daviess county, Illinois, as a member of Company E, Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving for one year or until the close of hostilities. During his term of service he took part in the battle of Golds- boro, North Carolina, participated in the engagement at Raleigh, that state, and spent two weeks in a hospital at St. Louis. In the latter city he was mustered out on the 24th of July, 1865, with a most creditable military record for one of his years.
After the war Mr. Heckelsmiller returned home and resumed the occupa- tion which had claimed his attention prior to his enlistment, continuing in that line of activity for thirty years. For the last twelve years he was captain of the White Swan, a freighter running from Dubuque south. He then took up agricultural pursuits, which he followed for about twelve years in Jo Daviess county and several years in Washington township, Jackson county. At one time he owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he later sold, and removed to South Dakota, where he purchased a quarter section of land. To this he added until he was the owner of three quarters of a section, but he subsequently sold the entire tract and returned to Iowa, locating in Bellevue in 18 30since which time he has continued to make his home in this city. During the long years of his connection with business interests his efforts were characterized by a spirit of industry, energy and perseverance, which elements were salient qualities in winning for him a competency which now enables him to live retired and to enjoy the comforts of life without fur- ther recourse to labor.
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