USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 31
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Dr. Edward Frank Gollobith lived in Maquoketa until 1893, when he accom- panied his father on his removal to Baldwin, and in the public schools of that vil- lage he obtained his early training in the rudimentary branches of English educa- tion. Later he pursued his studies in Valparaiso, Indiana, receiving his diploma from the College of Pharmacy of that city in 1903. After spending a year in the drug business in Moline, Illinois, he determined to make medicine his profes- sion and with this end in view matriculated in the College of Physicians and Sur- geons at Chicago, from which he received his M. D. degree in 1908. The next year was spent in hospital work and then well qualified by study and practical experience for the onerous duties of his profession, on the Ist of July, 1909, he established himself in South Garry Owen, there remaining until the 9th of No- vember, of that year, when he removed to North Garry Owen. Although so re- cent an acquisition to the professional circles of Butler township, Dr. Gollobith is building up a good country practice, and there is every indication that he will be very successful in the future. By inclination and training he is well fitted to minister to the needs of suffering humanity, while he possesses a personality that commands confidence and wins friends.
In politics Dr. Gollobith is a democrat, interested in the welfare of the party but without desire to figure in public affairs. Having spent almost his entire life in this county, he has a host of loyal friends here, who speak highly of his native powers and of the high ambitions which have ever been a conspicuous element in his character.
XAVIER MÜLLER.
Xavier Müller, an enterprising farmer living on section I, Bellevue township, dates his residence in Jackson county from about 1880, or from the time when as a youth of sixteen he decided to come to America to avail himself of the larger opportunities and more generous appreciation of the new world. He was born in Baden, Germany, December 3, 1864, and is a son of Milton and Cornelia (Hummel) Müller, who were likewise natives of the fatherland. In the fall of the year in which Xavier Müller crossed the Atlantic, Milton Müller emigrated to this country, and his wife came a year later. They took up their residence in Jackson county, Iowa, and here spent the rest of their lives, the father becom- ing one of the successful farmers of his locality and one of the prominent men of
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his township, serving as supervisor for a long period. In his family were eight children, all of whom are living.
It was in the spring of 1880 that Xavier Müller, accompanied by John Rutliff, bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the new world, where he hoped to find opportunities for advancement which would satisfy his ambitions. He came to Jackson county, Iowa, almost immediately after landing upon Ameri- can shores and for nine years worked by the month as a farm hand. At the end of that period he went to Minnesota, where he operated rented land for three. years, and then returned to this county and bought one hundred and fifty acres of land west of Bellevue, being engaged in its cultivation for two years, after which he sold the property and bought the farm on which he now lives. It is a fine tract of one hundred and forty-nine acres, lying on section 1, Bellevue township, and thereon Mr. Müller has made good improvements in keeping with the modern ideas of progressive farming. He has good buildings on the place, and the latest machinery facilitates the work, as he plows and plants his land and gathers his harvests. Industry and diligence have ever been the measure of his success and he is well deserving a place among the representative farmers of this county.
On the 24th of February, 1891, Mr. Müller was united in marriage to Miss Engle Brimmer, who was born in Jackson county, Iowa, October 29, 1858. Her parents, John and Lena (Robb) · Brimmer, were natives of Germany but emi- grated to this country and spent the last years of their lives in Bellevue. Mr. Brimmer was twice married. By his first wife he had six children, four of whom are living, and by his second he had four. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Müller have been born six children but four died in infancy. The others are Elmer and Edith, who are at home.
Mr. Müller is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church of Bellevue and his life is in harmony with its teachings. While there have been no exciting epochs in his career since he came to this country there has been no esoteric phase, but the years have passed quietly and busily for him while he conducted his agricul- tural interests. By reason of his unwearied industry, his perseverance and his capable management he has gained a gratifying measure of success, which has justified his determination to seek a home in this land.
ANDREW JACKSON RIGGS.
Andrew Jackson Riggs, now living retired in Maquoketa, has spent the greater part of his life in Iowa, having been brought to this state when it was still under territorial government and was regarded as a frontier district, the work of civilization and improvement being scarcely begun here. Born in the city of Lyons, New York, on the 21st of June, 1832, Mr. Riggs was a son of John Riggs, a native of New Jersey and a grandson of John Riggs, Sr., whose birth occurred in the same state. In 1799 the latter removed with his family to Wayne county, New York, where he secured a tract of land that was largely covered with timber. This was a part of the original Holland Dutch purchase but is now included within the city limits of Lyons. There
A. J. RIGGS
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he cleared a farm in the wilderness, and soon afterward the land increased in value as the town advanced in importance. Having opportunity for a profit- able sale he disposed of the property and purchased another farm upon which he resided to the time of his death. His son and namesake was reared in Wayne county, and in his youthful days he became familiar with the hard- ships and experiences which constitute features of pioneer life. He had a brother-in-law of the name of Hull, who was a colonel in the American army in the war of 1812. While returning from his home to the army on the ex- piration of a furlough Colonel Hull took John Riggs, Jr., then but a boy, with him to the lines, and he served as the colonel's body servant and carried a musket with the other soldiers. His youth and certain admirable boyish qualities made him a pet among the members of the regiment, and he re- mained with the army until the close of the war, when he returned home. Soon afterward he went to Canada and spent seven years in the lumber serv- ice of that country, after which he returned to New York. He was mar- ried in Wayne county in 1826 to Miss Alma Crowl, a native of Cayuga county, New York. After his marriage he removed with his young wife to Allegany county, New York, where he purchased timber land and in the midst of the forest built a log house. He then began clearing away the trees in order to prepare the soil for cultivation, but after five years spent in that district he returned to Wayne county and took up his abode on his father's farm, there residing until 1837. Believing that the new and unimproved west held opportunities which he might utilize, he then made his way to the territory of Iowa, journeying on the Erie canal to Buffalo and thence by way of the lakes to Cleveland and across the state to the Ohio river, down which he floated to the Mississippi. Proceeding up that stream to Burlington, the family spent the winter in that embryo city, after which the father came to Jackson county and joined a brother who was living near Maquoketa. Much of the land was still in the possession of the government and he entered a claim on what is now section 6, Bloomfield township, Clinton county, about two and a half miles south of Maquoketa. On this land he built a house which he occupied until 1849, when he started overland for California with the gold seekers. While en route, however, he became ill and died, his re- mains being interred at the Forty-ninth crossing on the Elkhorn river. His widow afterward married again and lived to an advanced age, passing away March 8, 1899, in her ninety-second year. There were eight children in the family, of whom only three are now living, namely: Andrew Jackson, of this review; Charles R., making his home in Sioux City ; and Zachary T., a resi- dent of Biloxi, Mississippi.
Andrew Jackson Riggs, who was the fourth in order of birth, was but five years old when the family came to Iowa. He was a youth of seventeen at the time of his father's death, after which he assisted his brother in the management and cultivation of the farm, remaining on the old homestead until 1864. In that year he was married and in 1865 located on a farm in Waterford township, Clinton county, which served as his home until 1896, when he retired from active life and removed to Maquoketa, where he has since resided. While connected with agricultural interests he placed his
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fields under a high state of cultivation, added many improvements to his farm and made it a valuable property, which in its neat and well tilled appearance gave evidence of his care and thrift.
As previously stated, Mr. Riggs was married in 1864, the lady of his choice being Miss Eliza Jane Mulholland, who was born in Auburn Center, Ohio, March 15, 1844. Her father, the Rev. Richard Mulholland, was of Scotch lineage and came to America from Londonderry, Ireland, being then but sixteen years of age. He completed his preparation for the ministry by graduation from the theological school at the age of twenty-three years and served in the pulpit of the Methodist Episcopal church up to the time of his death, which occurred in Maquoketa, September II, 1863. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Riggs were born two children, but the elder, Elmer Ellsworth, is de- ceased. The younger, Lindus LaRell Riggs, is one of Maquoketa's promi- nent physicians, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Riggs is independent in politics and for several years, while a resi- dent of Clinton county, served in the office of justice of the peace, rendering fair and impartial decisions. He was also a member of the school board and earnestly championed the cause of progressive education. His wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and both are well known and highly esteemed in this part of the state, where they have lived since pioneer times. Mr. Riggs may well be termed a self-made man in that his success has come as the logical and merited reward of his own labors. In all busi- ness affairs he displayed sound judgment, and his energy in prosecuting his agricultural interests brought him a substantial competence that now enables him to live retired.
OLIVER C. STOUGHTON.
For almost half a century Oliver C. Stoughton was connected with agricultural interests in Maquoketa township and was engaged in the active cultivation of the farm now under control of his sons until his death in 1901. He was born in Orleans county, Vermont, in 1829, and when a small boy removed with his grand- parents to New York, where he was educated and grew to manhood, coming to Iowa in 1853. For a number of years he worked on various farms in Maquoketa township but it was not until 1880 that he purchased the tract of land his sons now own. It remained his home throughout the remainder of his life, its rich soil making him generous returns in bountiful harvests for the labor he expended upon it. He knew the value of good management as well as the necessity for industry and in consequence his fields were well cultivated, his buildings main- tained in excellent repair and each year saw a substantial addition to the income which was his.
In 1869 Mr. Stoughton married Miss Esther Mason, a daughter of Rev. Wil- liam Mason. The father was a Methodist minister who came to Iowa in the early years of its settlement after it became a state, and in conjunction with his pas- toral duties conducted a blacksmith shop at Mason's Corner. His daughter
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Esther was born in Warren county, New York, in 1836, and was about nineteen years of age when she accompanied her father to the west. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Stoughton was blessed with the following children: Ira O., born in Jackson county, December 31, 1870, attended the district schools and after his father's death he and his brother assumed the management of the home farm, to which they have added from time to time until now it is a fine tract of two hundred and fifty-three acres. He has never married. George G., also born in Jackson county, July 19, 1873, was likewise a pupil of the district schools and has remained at home assisting the other members of the family in conducting the farm. J. Harvey, born February 28, 1882, is also a partner in the agricultural pursuits of his brothers. These three young men are republicans in their polit- ical views, but have never been prevailed upon to accept any office within the gift of the people. 'Another son, Otis H., is residing in West Concord, Minne- sota. Olin M. is a building contractor in this county. Sanford W., who died May 3, 1907, was married and lived in Jackson county. Laura is engaged in the ladies' tailoring business in Boise City, Idaho. Flora is the wife of William Evans, of Maquoketa. Cora is at home. Orphia S. died October 7, 1901.
Mrs. Stoughton, who is still living and presides over the household, may feel a justifiable pride as she looks back over the years, realizing the vast difference in the character of the present from that of the past when she came first to this section of the state. Her husband contributed in no small measure to its devel- opment, while her sons by their endeavors are advancing the prosperity of Ma- quoketa township at the present. Mr. Stoughton enjoyed the good will and sin- cere respect of his fellow citizens and in this respect his sons have followed in his footsteps.
WINFIELD S. KELLOGG.
Winfield S. Kellogg, who since 1904 has lived retired in Miles, was for many years actively and successfully identified with the agricultural interests of Jack- son county and is still the owner of two hundred and ten acres of valuable land in Van Buren township. His birth occurred in Summit county, Ohio, on the 15th of August, 1841, his parents being Charles and Jerusha (Pryor) Kellogg, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Norton, Ohio. In 1853 the father came to Jackson county, Iowa, locating on the line between Iowa and Van Buren townships. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in associa- tion with his brother-in-law but at the end of a year disposed of the property and returned to Ohio. In 1857, however, he once more took up his abode in this state but passed away the following year. His wife, who long survived him, made her home with her son Winfield until called to her final rest on the 30th of July, 1909.
After the demise of Charles Kellogg his widow purchased a farm of forty acres and the operation of the place largely devolved upon Winfield S. Kellogg, who was the eldest of the four children. He thus early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and devoted his energies
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to the cultivation of the home farm until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in defense of the Union as a member of Company A, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. With that command he served until the close of hos- tilities, participating in many hotly contested engagements and being wounded twice. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant of his company and after being honorably discharged on the 17th of July, 1865, returned home with a most cred- itable military record. After once more taking up the pursuits of civil life he con- tinuously gave his attention to the operation of the old homestead place until he put aside the active work of the fields in 1904 and removed to Miles, where he has since lived retired in a residence which he erected. As his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he had ex- tended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until it embraced two hundred and ten acres and this tract of land still remains in his possession.
In March, 1873, Mr. Kellogg was united in marriage to Miss Permelia Watts, a daughter of John Watts, of Jackson county. The four children born unto them are as follows : Winfield Scott, living at Saint Johns, Oregon; Artaman C., who resides on the old home farm; Hannah J .; and Nina S.
In his political views Mr. Kellogg is a republican and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various positions of public trust. For a great many years he did effective service for the cause of education as a member of the school board and has held other township offices. He is now serving for the second term as mayor of Miles and his administration has been characterized by reform, improvement and progress. The period of his residence in this county now covers more than a half century and he is widely recognized as one of its most substantial, respected and representative citizens.
CHARLES L. OLMSTED.
Charles L. Olmsted, editor and publisher of the Lamotte News, is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Marion, Linn county, Septem- ber 8, 1867. His father, P. E. Olmsted, was born in New York state but was living in Illinois at the time of the Civil war, and there enlisted in Company I, Fifty-third Illinois Infantry. As sergeant he served throughout the course of hostilities and at the close of the war was married to Miss Anna Cherry, a na- tive of La Salle, Illinois. Subsequently he removed to Iowa, and in Marion, Linn county, worked at his trade of a carriage builder. Later he took up his residence in Maquoketa, Jackson county, but subsequently resided in Jones county for a considerable period, and finally went to Hubbard, Texas, where he now makes his home.
The boyhood of Charles L. Olmsted was largely spent in Maquoketa and Jones county, and he enjoyed such educational privileges as were afforded by the common schools near his home. Upon completing his studies he learned the painter's trade, at which he worked for twenty-two years. During that period, however, being ambitious to engage in a large field of enterprise and usefulness he learned the printer's trade in the winter months and made himself acquainted
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with all phases of newspaper work in Maquoketa. On the Ist of November, 1907, he came to Lamotte and bought the Lamotte News, which had been established by A. F. Kearney in 1900 as an independent newspaper. As such it has con- tinued to the present and is devoted to the dissemination of local and general news. It has a good sized circulation and also has a fine advertising patronage, and as its affairs are managed in a businesslike way Mr. Olmsted has derived a fair success from the enterprise.
In 1891 Mr. Olmsted was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Thomas, a daugh- ter of Joseph Thomas, of Maquoketa, and unto them were born five children, as follows: Herschel, Forrest, Creston, Delbert and Ogarita, all of whom are at home. In March, 1903, the wife and mother was called to her final rest, and in July, 1905, Mr. Olmsted wedded Mrs. Lillie Phillips, nee Heath, of Monmouth, Iowa. By her former marriage she had a son, George Phillips.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Olmsted is connected with the Royal Arcanum of Maquoketa, and in politics he has given stalwart support to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is deeply concerned in public affairs and at different times has been active in furthering the interests of his party. He is also interested in all that pertains to the general welfare and cooperates in many movements for the good of the community, being at all times a public spirited and progressive citizen as well as a successful business man in his representation of the journalistic interests of the county.
LINDUS LA RELL RIGGS, M. D.
Dr. Lindus La Rell Riggs, who is a successful physician and surgeon of Ma- quoketa, where he conducts what is known as the City Hospital, was born in Clinton county, Iowa, August 29, 1868, and is a son of Andrew Jackson and Eliza Jane (Mullholland) Riggs, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume.
Dr. Riggs attended the district school near his home and later entered the Maquoketa high school, from which he was graduated in 1887. Thereupon he engaged in teaching at Riggs, Clinton county. Two years later he learned tele- graphy, became night operator at Riggs and then, eleven months afterward, was made agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at that place. He resigned his position at the expiration of four years' service to go on a farm, on which he remained for one year. During that time he organized a circus com- pany, whch he managed for about two years and then traveled for a few months with Kirkhart & Ryan. When he returned to Iowa he engaged in teaching in Jackson county, later becoming a partner with O. L. Day in the photograph busi- ness he was conducting in Maquoketa. He bought Mr. Day's interests and until 1900 was the sole proprietor of the stablishment, at that date giving it up that he might study for the profession of medicine. In the fall of 1900 he entered the Keokuk Medical College, and after receiving his degree from that institution in 1904 he came to Maquoketa to engage in practice. The next year he went to the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he received a degree June
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2, 1906, and then returned to Maquoketa, where he has since been engaged in the active practice of his profession. In the City Hospital, which is under his management, he performs the greater part of his surgical work. The institution is regularly equipped with medical appliances and its patients well cared for by a large corps of able nurses. He also enjoys a large private practice both in the town and throughout the surrounding country where he is known as a physician of ability and as a citizen of public spirit who is worthy of support. In 1909 he was one of the candidates for the office of county coroner but although he received the largest number of votes, he did not have a majority and so withdrew his name before the special election which was held later. He has, however, at dif- ferent times rendered the county and city efficient service as health officer.
On New Year's Day, 1908, Dr. Riggs wedded Miss Elizabeth E. Hurst, the eldest daughter of Hon. Alfred Hurst, of Jackson county. One son has been born to the couple-Ralph Le Roy, who was born July 19, 1909. Dr. Riggs has at all times held to the principles of honorable manhood, and with a kindly spirit and through the result of his wide experiences is able to render that in- valuable aid which has won for him the unqualified respect and admiration of those who know him.
L. L. LITTLEFIELD.
The agricultural interests of Jackson county find an enterprising and pro- gressive representative in L. L. Littlefield, who carries on farming and stock- raising on his place of one hundred and fifty-six acres in Perry township. This farm has remained his place of abode from his birth to the present time, for it was here that he first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 29th of January, 1865. His parents, Samuel W. and Jane (Carnes) Littlefield, are mentioned at greater length on another page of this volume.
In his youthful days L. L. Littlefield spent his time in the acquirement of an education at the common schools, and on attaining his majority he rented the old homestead farm from his father. At the end of ten years he purchased the place and has since devoted his time and energies to its further cultivation and improve- ment with excellent success. The property comprises one hundred and fifty-six acres of rich and arable land in Perry township. In addition to his agricultural interests Mr. Littlefield makes a specialty of raising stock and this branch of his business is also proving a good source of income to him.
On the 20th of September, 1894, Mr. Littlefield was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Buchanan, a native of Andrew, Jackson county, Iowa, and a daugh- ter of J. Y. and Mary E. (Van Meter) Buchanan, of Maquoketa. Mrs. Little- field was one of a family of five children and by her marriage has become the mother of three, namely : Glen B., Ruth and Vivian.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Littlefield has sup- ported the men and measures of the democracy. He acted as chairman of the county central committee for two years and has done effective service for the cause of education as a member of the school board. For several years he has
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