USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 4
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REV. N. J. BIES.
For more than a quarter of a century Father N. J. Bies has ministered to the spiritual needs of the Catholic parish of Bellevue and in this capacity has not only made a place for himself in the hearts of the community but has proved himself a man of great business ability and a strong factor in the moral progress of his locality. He was born in the grand duchy of Luxemburg, May 20, 1852, his parents being Francis and Susannah (Gauché) Bies, the former also a native of Luxem- burg, the latter of Belgium. They crossed the Atlantic and came to Jackson county, Iowa, in 1853, locating on a farm near St. Donatus, where Francis Bies carried on agricultural pursuits successfully throughout the remainder of his active life. Later he retired to the village of St. Donatus and there his death oc- curred July 27, 1907, when he was eighty-five years of age. His widow still lives
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REV. N. J. BIES
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
and yet resides in St. Donatus. In their family were ten children, four sons and six daughters. Four of the latter are Sisters in the Catholic church, and two are married and live in Jackson county. Two of the sons are engaged in farming in this county and one is deceased.
Father Bies, who was but nine months of age when his parents came to Jack- son county, Iowa, spent his youth upon a farm in this section of the state and after leaving the public school entered St. Joseph's College, Dubuque, taking a literary course. He was graduated in the spring of 1879 and in the fall of that year he went to Louvain, Belgium, to spend three years in the university of that place. Being ordained a priest of the Catholic church in the spring of 1882, he returned to America and on the IIth of June of that year was appointed to the pastorate of St. Joseph's church at Bellevue, which has remained his charge to the present. During that time the congregation has steadily increased in number until now there are twelve hundred in the church and mission and the parochial duties require the services of an assistant, Father Wagoner. Father Bies has also built up the school, which has an enrollment of one hundred and eighty pupils, and the standard of its scholarship and efficiency has been raised so that it compares fa- vorably with the more progressive public schools in this locality, its flourishing condition, like that of the parish, being an indication of the zeal, ability and pro- gressiveness of the reverend pastor.
Father Bies is a man of high intellectual attainments, having added to his broad culture through five trips to foreign countries. He has traversed the greater part of Europe, has visited the Orient and the Philippines and in 1900 wrote accounts of his travels to papers in Dubuque and Bellevue. Yet while his learning is solid, it is not obtrusive, and he has always preferred to be the priest rather than the savant, and hence is widely known as a man of unbounded charity, whose spirit of pure and deep devotion is an inspiration to those both within and without his fold.
HENRY W. KRUSE.
Henry W. Kruse, whose service in public office has been of signal usefulness and value to his fellow townsmen, and whose business life has been one of in- tense and well directed activity, was born in Iowa township, Jackson county, on the 17th of April, 1859. His parents, Louis and Fredericka (Krabbenhoeft) Kruse, were both natives of Holstein, Germany, and soon after attaining adult age came to the United States, crossing the Atlantic about 1855 or 1856. They made their way directly to the middle west, settling in Iowa township, Jackson county, and for some years Louis Kruse was employed at farm labor. He after- ward went to Sabula and was one of the first butchers in the packing house of P. G. Stiles & Company, at which time the firm butchered only forty or fifty hogs per day. During the period of his connection with the firm, the business greatly increased, until they were butchering as high as twenty-five hundred hogs daily Subsequently Mr. Kruse engaged in business for himself and later turned his attention to general farming. He removed to Tama county, Iowa, in 1878, and in 1885 went to South Dakota, locating on a farm in Jerauld county, where he re-
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
sided up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1905, when he had reached the age of sixty-seven years. He had for some time survived his wife, who passed away in 1898, at the age of sixty-one years. Both were members of the Lutheran church and were people of the highest respectability.
Henry W. Kruse spent his youthful days in his parents' home to the age of fourteen years. His education was largely acquired prior to that time in a select school. He left home in the winter prior to attaining his fifteenth birthday and from that time forward has been dependent entirely upon his own resources, so that he justly deserves the praise implied in the term a self-made man. He worked on a farm for a little more than a year, after which he apprenticed himself to the blacksmith's trade in Sabula. He did not find service with his employer very pleasant, however, for at odd moments, when his duties in the smithy were not pressing, he was obliged to work in the harvest fields and in a packing house and had to provide his own clothing. He therefore left his first position and went to Davenport, where he engaged in clerking in a short order eating house through the summer. Subsequently he went into the harvest fields, for the farmers were offering as high as three dollars and a half per day for hands. He was thus em- ployed for two weeks and then returned to his home in Sabula, where he was offered a position in the packing house, but the opportunity came whereby he might return to his trade and he was advised by friends to finish his apprentice- ship. He therefore went to Van Buren, where he completed a regular term, af- ter which he continued in the same employ as a journeyman. He was at that time only twenty years of age. Going to Union Center in Fairfield township, this county, he established a little blacksmith shop on his own account and there con- ducted a successful business for eleven years. In the winter in which he located there he was married, Miss Mary E. Prior becoming his wife on Christmas day of 1879. They established their home at Union Center and as the years passed Mr. Kruse's labor won him a liberal patronage. In 1890 he removed to Miles, where he purchased and conducted a blacksmith shop for thirteen years.
While there residing he was also called to public office, serving as marshal of the village for several years and also as a member of the town council for several terms. He was likewise chief of the volunteer fire department for a number of years and in 1893 was again called to office in his election as sheriff of Jackson county. He then took up his residence in Maquoketa, January 5, 1904, and with- out fear or favor discharged the duties of his position for five years, filling the office for two terms and an extra year, which was accorded him as a result of the biennial election law which came into effect, Mr. Kruse being one of the officials who held over by reason of the adoption of this law. During his term of office he purchased the machine shop at Maquoketa and placed it on a sound financial basis. He also was associated with five others in organizing the acetylene gas plant of this city. Since the expiration of his term of office he has purchased and is operating a sand dredge in the Maquoketa river, and the necessity of work of that character in this stream makes his services in constant demand, so that his business is a profitable one.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kruse was blessed with three children: Leo F., who is agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Van Horn, Iowa; and Cora Belle and Hugo Wilbur, both at home. The family is well known
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
socially, and the hospitality of the Kruse home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Kruse has always given his political allegiance to the democracy and is recognized as one of the local leaders of the party. He belongs to Helion Lodge, No. 36, A. F. & A. M .; Bath Kol Chapter, No. 94, R. A. M .; Tancred Commandery, No. 40, K. T .; El Khir Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Cedar Rapids ; Central Lodge, No. 572, I. O. O. F., at Miles ; Maquoketa Encampment, No. 104, I. O. O. F .; and Peerless Lodge, No. 61, K. P. He is also a charter member of Maquoketa Camp, M. W. A. and is affiliated with the Mutual Benevo- lent Association. He served as representative from this district to the supreme lodge at the time the Modern Brotherhood of America was put on a sure and safe footing at Sioux Falls. His interests are varied, and each indicates him to be a man of broad mind and well rounded character, for his cooperation has ever been in movements and measures for the general good, while in business lines his activity has brought substantial results, and in political circles his record is such as is undimmed by the perversion of the duties of office.
J. C. RIPPERTON.
J. C. Ripperton, a successful and enterprising agriculturist of Brandon township, has lived on his present place of two hundred acres on section 21 for the past sixteen years and in addition to his farming interests has worked at the plasterer's trade throughout his entire business career. His birth occurred near Sturgis, Michigan, on the 16th of January, 1853, his parents being Moses and Julia (Sanborn) Ripperton, who were natives of Pennsyl- vania and New York respectively. The paternal grandfather, who was born in Germany, was brought to the United States by his parents when but five years of age. He participated in one of the Indian wars. Moses Ripperton, the father of our subject, was reared in Ohio and subsequently lived in Mich- igan for a short time but in 1853 took up his abode in Maquoketa, Jackson county. Iowa. At the end of four years he located in Brandon township, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest in 1892. He was a plasterer by trade and successfully followed that occupation throughout his entire life but also owned a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres adjoin- ing that on which our subject now makes his home. His upright and honor- able life won him the kindly regard and esteem of all with whom he came in contact and Jackson county numbered him among its worthy residents for almost four decades. It was in Indiana that he was joined in wedlock to Miss Julia Sanborn, who passed away in Maquoketa, this county, when her son, J. C., was but five years of age. She was the mother of five children, namely: Luther, who is deceased; Melville, a resident of Denver, Colorado; J. C., of this review ; Frank, who died in early life ; and Charles, who passed away at the age of twenty years.
Though J. C. Ripperton received but limited educational advantages in his youthful days, he has constantly augmented his knowledge through read- ing, experience and observation and is now a well informed man. As a lad
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
of twelve years he began to learn the plasterer's trade and has since given his time and energies to that occupation with excellent success. During almost the entire period he has also devoted considerable attention to agri- cultural pursuits, buying and selling several different farms. He was like- wise identified with mercantile interests for eight years, conducting a store in Canton, Iowa, and working at his trade at the same time. For the past sixteen years he has owned and resided upon a fine farm of two hundred acres on section 21, Brandon township, and the many substantial improve- ments which are now seen upon the property stand as monuments to his enterprise and thrift. He is the president of the telephone company but expects to retire from that office at the end of his present term:
On the 20th of July, 1879, Mr. Ripperton was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Gracey, a daughter of Dr. Gracey, of Canton, Iowa, who is now de- ceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ripperton have been born six children, as fol- lows : Carlie, who has passed away ; Frank, who wedded Miss Lutie Butt and follows farming in Brandon township; Peter, who was accidentally killed at the age of fourteen years, being kicked by a horse; James, who married Miss Nellie Miller ; Grover, who is likewise deceased; and Lee, at home.
Mr. Ripperton formerly voted the republican ticket but since Cleveland's first election has supported the men and measures of the democracy and is the only one of the name who is allied with that party. In January, 1908, he was elected township trustee and has also acted as justice of the peace and as president of the school board, ever proving an efficient and faithful public official. He has traveled to a great extent but has always managed to spend the Christmas holidays in this county. His manner is one of frank cordial- ity and geniality and his unfailing courtesy and loyalty to those with whom he is associated in business or social relations have made him very popular. He has made his home within the borders of Jackson county throughout practically his entire life and has long been numbered among its prosperous and representative citizens.
GEORGE W. TAYLOR.
George W. Taylor, the owner of a tract of eighty-seven and a half acres of rich and productive land on section 19, Van Buren township, devotes his attention to the pursuits of farming and dairying and also deals in horses to some extent. His birth occurred in Springbrook, Jackson county, Iowa, on the 23d of December, 1869, his parents being Isaac and Della (Wein- berger) Taylor, the latter a native of Tennessee. James L. Taylor, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Mercer county, Pennsyl- vania, on the 15th of June, 1819, and came to Jackson county, Iowa, in 1845, here residing until called to his final rest in 1904. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to various positions of public trust and he proved a capable incumbent in the offices of township trustee, school director, constable, road supervisor and justice of the peace. He held
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
the last named office for over twenty years and also acted on the county board of supervisors. Isaac Taylor, the father of George W. Taylor, lived on the old homestead farm in this county until a few years ago, when he took up his abode in South Dakota and there still resides.
George W. Taylor attended school at Springbrook in pursuit of an edu- cation and remained at home with his father until he had attained the age of twenty-two years. Subsequently he was employed by different farmers in the vicinity of Preston for about eight years, being principally engaged by those who were dealers in horses. He then rented the Strohmeyer farm in Fairfield township for a period of three years and afterward located at Spragueville, there working for George Edelman for one year. Afterward he operated the Edelman farm at Spragueville as a renter for five years, and® at the end of that time went west with the intention of establishing his home in that section of the country. He soon returned to Jackson county, how- ever, and in 1907 purchased his present farm of eighty-seven and a half acres on section 19, Van Buren township. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he is also engaged in dairying and likewise deals in horses to some extent. In all of his undertakings he has won a creditable and well merited measure of success and is well entitled to a place among the substantial and representative citizens of his native county. He is a stockholder in the Preston Telephone Company.
On the 18th of October, 1898, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Louise D. M. Strohmeyer, a daughter of Fred Strohmeyer, of Fairfield town- ship. Fraternally he is identified with Strangers Refuge lodge No. 252, I. O. O. F., at Preston. His political allegiance is unfalteringly given to the republican party, for he believes that its principles are most conducive to good government. He and his wife are much esteemed in the community where they reside, while the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
JOHN MAHER.
The farming and stock-raising interests of Jackson county find a worthy and successful representative in John Maher, who is the owner of a produc- tive tract of land comprising two hundred and eighty-eight acres on sections 2 and 3, Fairfield township. He was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, on the Ist of May, 1866, his parents being Robert and Katherine Maher, likewise na- tives of the Emerald isle. The father has passed away but the mother still sur- vives and is yet a resident of County Kilkenny.
In May, 1881, when a lad of fifteen, John Maher crossed the Atlantic to the new world and came direct to Jackson county, Iowa. Finding immediate employ- ment a necessity, he went to work as a farm hand for L. Powers, whom he served in that capacity for a period of twelve years. At the end of that time, by dint of unremitting industry and close economy, he had accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to become a landowner and in 1893 he bought his present
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
farm of two hundred and eighty-eight acres on sections 2 and 3, Fairfield town- ship. In addition to cultivating the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also devotes considerable attention to the raising of stock, and in both branches of his business has met with gratifying success. In his farming operations he has always followed practical and progressive methods and his place in all its equip- ments presents an attractive appearance. The prosperity which he now enjoys is all the more creditable by reason of the fact that it is due entirely to his own well directed labor and indefatigable energy, for he arrived in this country empty handed and in fact had been obliged to borrow his passage money. After taking up his abode in the United States he attended school for three winter seasons.
In 1898 Mr. Maher was united in marriage to Miss Helena B. Callahan, her father being John Callahan, an early settler of Clinton county. They now have five children, namely : Julia K., Rose Mary, Helena B., Robert Joseph and John Edward, all of whom are at home.
Mr. Maher gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democ- racy and has acted in the capacity of road supervisor for four years. Frater- nally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Spragueville, and both he and his wife are faithful communicants of the Catholic church at Preston. They have an extensive circle of friends throughout the community and are highly esteemed for their many excellent traits of character. Mr. Maher has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world. Coming to Iowa in early life, he availed himself of the opportunities here offered, and as the years have passed he has steadily worked his way upward until his orderly progression has gained him rank with the substantial and re- spected residents of this county.
ER. ATHERTON.
Er. Atherton, owning and operating an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in South Fork township, was born in this township on the 14th of January, 1872, his parents being Ransom and Amanda (Scott) Atherton. The father, whose birth occurred in Essex county, New York, on the 2d of October, 1815, was there reared to manhood, learning the blacksmith's trade, which he fol- lowed for a number of years. In early manhood he wedded Miss Elvira Balcom, by whom he had four children, one of whom still survives-Sylvanus, a resident of Thomson, Illinois. The wife and mother passed away on the 8th of November, 1855, and subsequently Mr. Atherton left the Empire state and took up his abode in Carroll county, Illinois. At that place, on the 21st of August, 1859, he wedded Mrs. Louisa Densmore, who was called to her final rest on the 22d of December, 1865. In that year he came to Jackson county, Iowa, purchasing and settling on a tract of forty acres in South Fork township, which is now included in the home farm of our subject. For some years after his arrival in this county he followed the blacksmith's trade but eventually abandoned that pursuit in order to devote his entire attention to farming. Following the death of his second wife he was again wedded, on the 6th of September, 1866, being united in marriage to Mrs.
RANSOM ATHERTON
MRS. RANSOM ATHERTON
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
Amanda (Scott) Cook, the widow of John Wilson Cook. She was born in Jack- son county, Iowa, on the 26th of April, 1842, her parents being David and Holly (Skinner) Scott. The birth of her father occurred in Kentucky on the 3Ist of May, 1795. He and his wife were among the five families who came from In- diana to this county early in the '30s and took up their abode with the pioneer settlers here. They located in Jackson county prior to the arrival of John E. Goodenow and one year after the settlement of the Pence brothers (Solomon, Wallace and Gabriel). The Scott family, together with the other four families who accompanied them to this county, settled in Monmouth township, where David Scott made his home throughout his remaining days, passing away at the com- paratively early age of fifty-three years. Mrs. Amanda Atherton now lives with her son Er. By her marriage to John Wilson Cook she had three children, as follows : Alma and Freeman D., both of whom are deceased; and Willis W., a resident of Woodbury county, Iowa. Unto Ransom and Amanda Atherton were likewise born three children, namely: Louisa, the widow of William Fuller, of Sioux county, Iowa ; Er., of this review ; and Charles, living in Jones county, Iowa.
Er. Atherton was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools in pursuit of an education. He was seventeen years of age when his father died and, being the eldest son in the family, he took charge of the home farm. About ten years later, on the Ist of January, 1900, he purchased the place, and it has since remained in his possession. By buying an adjoining tract of one hundred and twenty acres he later extended the boundaries of the farm to in- clude a quarter section of land, and took up his abode on his new purchase because of the better improvements thereon. The property is located in South Fork town- ship, and here he has carried on his agricultural interests to the present time, also making a specialty of the raising of Duroc Jersey hogs, in which branch of ac- tivity he has won a gratifying measure of success.
On the 15th of September, 1909, Mr. Atherton was united in marriage to Miss Eva Ward, a daughter of Sylvester and Rhoda (Gibson) Ward. The father is deceased but the mother still survives and makes her home at Baldwin, this county.
Mr. Atherton exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church. In the county where his entire life has been spent he enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance and is widely recog- nized as a substantial and progressive citizen.
J. G. YOUNG.
Without sensational or exciting chapters, the life history of J. G. Young was such as inspired the admiration and respect of his contemporaries and associates. He lived quietly, true to every manly principle, dealing justly with his fellows and standing firmly in support of all those measures which he believed would prove of benefit to his community, his state and his country. The village of Nacken-
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
heim, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, was his birthplace, and the day of his na- tivity was September 28, 1838. He remained a resident of the fatherland until eighteen years of age, when he heard and heeded the call of the western world. The stories which had reached him concerning the opportunities of America proved too alluring for him to remain longer in Germany and, crossing the At- lantic, he settled in Galena. Two years later he came to Bellevue, then a young man of twenty years. Time passed, until more than fifty years had been added to the cycle of the centuries, and still Mr. Young continued a resident of this place, closely and honorably identified with its business interests, with its public. life and with those projects which constituted forces in its upbuilding and de- velopment. He first learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of Frank Schlecht, one of the early and well known builders and contractors. In 1860 he went to St. Louis and Memphis, where he was employed in the line of his trade, but in 1861 returned to Bellevue. He had watched with interest the progress of events in the south, noting the threatening attitude of the section of country below the Mason and Dixon line, and had resolved that if a blow was struck to over- throw the Union he would strike one in its defense. Fort Sumter was fired upon in April, and in May, 1861, Mr. Young enlisted in response to President Lin- coln's call for seventy-five thousand volunteers. That quota, however, was soon filled and the company organized at Bellevue was not accepted. Shortly after- ward, however, came the call for three hundred thousand men, for it had been proven that the war was to be a prolonged contest. Mr. Young then enlisted as a member of Company I, Fifth Iowa Infantry, with which he served for three years. His was the fourth company to go to the front from Jackson county and he did valiant service until mustered out at Chattanooga, August 6, 1865. He participated in all of the engagements of his regiment, including the battles at New Madrid, Corinth, Iuka, Raymond, Jackson, Champion's Hill, Vicksburg and Missionary Ridge.
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