USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 45
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The same year Mr. Graham, without any consultation with him, was nomi- nated for the house of representatives, but by a fraudulent abstraction of demo- cratic tickets from the ballot box, he and his associate were counted out by a small majority. Although confident of winning his seat, feeling that he could not afford the sacrifice of time and money, he declined to contest it, and a few years afterward the parties perpetrating the fraud confessed it to him, and that it was done in the manner indicated by the proofs he had obtained the day after the election.
In 1862 he was offered the nomination for judge of the district court against Judge Dillon, but he refused it, and again in 1866 he declined to accept a nomi- nation against Judge Richman. He had been a member of the first bar conven- tion in 1857, which nominated Judge Mitchell, and always persisted in his efforts to keep the judiciary out of politics. In 1867 he declined to allow his name to go before the convention for the nomination for senator, although nom- ination and election were certain, as he was arranging to remove to Dubuque. He was elected in 1873 city attorney of Dubuque by a greater majority than the votes received by his competitor, and President Cleveland appointed him as- sistant United States attorney during his first term of office, and after his term expired he was retained as special counsel to assist in the prosecution of the officers of a defunct national bank and was successful in securing convictions. In 1876 he was nominated by the democrats as one of the judges of the su- preme court, and of course, in republican Iowa, shared the fate of his ticket.
While a resident of Jackson county he was chosen chairman of the demo- cratic central committee at a time when the democrats had possession of only one office in the county. When he removed from the county four years later he had the satisfaction of seeing all the county offices but one filled by democrats- a result to which his own efforts had contributed largely. When he left the county, it was with the determination to refrain from active participation in political affairs to which determination he has adhered. In all his life he has
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never been an applicant for position, nor ever asked any one for his support, either in convention or at the polls.
While a resident of Bellevue, Mr. Graham served two terms as president of the board of education. His first act was to engage W. L. Redmond as princi- pal of the school at a much higher salary than had been previously paid, and with his administration begun the improvement of the schools in that town which has finally brought them abreast of the first in the state.
Mr. Graham comes from a long line of Presbyterian ancestors and as might be expected is a consistent adherent to the faith of his fathers. He has fre- quently been the representative of his church in its presbytery, synod, and gen- eral assembly, and has been three times commissioned by the highest body to represent it in the councils of the Alliance of the Presbyterian Churches of the World.
HENRY KLEMME.
The contribution Henry Klemme has made to the world's work has been along agricultural lines and in cultivating his farm of one hundred and ninety acres on section 35, Washington township, he has gained a success that well entitles him to be numbered among the substantial citizens of Jackson county. He was born in Van Buren township, this county, June 27, 1862, a son of August and Mary (Berg) Klemme, both natives of Germany. The former came to the United States when a young man and after residing in Chicago for a time removed to Van Buren township, Jackson county, Iowa, where he bought a farm of two hundred acres, operating it successfully until 1885. In that year he retired from active participation in work and took up his residence in Preston, where he still lives at the advanced age of eighty-six years. His wife is also living and has passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey. She was a mere child when brought to this country by her parents from the fatherland.
Henry Klemme was reared upon the home farm in Van Buren township and for a short time attended the district school of his locality that he might acquire a knowledge of the rudimentary branches of education. The meager training he received, however, was amply supplemented by the experience he obtained while he helped his father in the work of the farm, so that when, at the age of twenty- four years, he started out as an independent farmer, he was well fitted to cope with the problems that confront the agriculturist. It was in 1886 that he removed to the place in Washington township whereon he now resides. It adjoined the homestead, and for the first year Mr. Klemme operated it as a renter from his father, after which he bought the property. It embraces one hundred and ninety acres, upon which he has erected new buildings and also a windmill, and has made other improvements in keeping with the progressive spirit of the time in agricul- tural lines. In its cultivation he has manifested a diligence and persever- ance which have been well recompensed by generous harvests. He has also en- gaged in the stock business to some extent, raising Hereford cattle and Poland China hogs, and has found this a profitable branch of his business.
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In Green Island, Jackson county, March 5, 1886, Mr. Klemme wedded Miss Matilda Mengler, a daughter of William Mengler, a farmer and one of the old residents of Washington township. Four children have been born to them, namely : Mabel, who died in infancy; August William, who is twenty-one years of age and works on the home farm; Bertha M., who is the wife of Elmer Jones, a rural mail carrier living at Green Island; and Harry August, who is fourteen years of age and is attending school.
In his political sympathies Mr. Klemme is a democrat, but while taking a deep interest in questions and issues and keeping well informed upon them, he has not desired to engage in public affairs, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business. In its conduct he has gained a conspicuous success and the sincere regard of those who know him, for he has ever pursued a straightforward and upright course, looking for advancement through close application and indefati- gable industry. .
THOMAS TAPLIN.
An excellent farming property of five hundred acres in Iowa township is the visible evidence of the energy, perseverance and thrift of Thomas Taplin, who, having gained by close application and careful management a substantial com- petence, is now able to live retired and enjoy the fruits of his former labor. He was born in England in 1842 and was about eighteen years of age when, in 1860, his parents decided to come to the United States, fully aware that larger opportunities for advancement could be obtained in this land of freedom. They located in Iowa township, Jackson county, Iowa, and spent the rest of their lives upon the farm Mr. Taplin purchased. He was called to his final rest in 1898, while his widow lived until 1906 and was eighty-five at the time of her demise. Thomas Taplin of this review was their only child.
From his boyhood Thomas Taplin has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He acquired a fair common-school education in the land of his birth and ob- tained practical preparation for the responsibilities of later years as an assistant to his father in his work. A young man of eighteen when he came to this country, with characteristic energy he began to cultivate the fields of the home farm, for he realized early that unusual advantages were presented in the ap- preciation and freedom of the new world and in the fertility of Iowa's land. In course of time his fields were producing rich and abundant harvests, which netted him a comfortable competence, and, realizing that real estate is the safest investment, he continually bought land until his property aggregates five hun- dred acres, all lying in Iowa township. He also engaged extensively in the stock business, raising and feeding large numbers of cattle and hogs for mar- ket, and as this proved a profitable enterprise he devoted more and more time to it until he attained to a front rank among the stockmen of this county. Now he has relinquished the heavier duties of life and lives retired upon one of his farms, having every reason to be satisfied with the result of his diligent efforts of former years, for surely they have brought him a large measure of success.
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Mr. Taplin has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Elizabeth Cook, also a native of England, and their union was blessed with eleven children, as follows : Harriet, now the wife of John Brewen, of Clinton county, Iowa; Mary, the wife of Fate Smith, of Wisconsin; John, who is living in Nebraska ; James, a resident of this county ; George and Lee, who also live in this county; Mattie, the wife of John Cotter, of Jackson county; Luella, the wife of John Gray, of Iowa township; Alfred, also a resident of that township; and two who have passed away. For his second wife Mr. Taplin wedded Mrs. Sarah Martin, who was born in Ireland and came to America when she was about seventeen years of age. By her first marriage she had three children, namely: Henry John Martin; Asa, a graduate of the Miles high school; and Martha, deceased.
Mrs. Taplin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and interested in its work and welfare. Mr. Taplin is a democrat in his political views, and while not an aspirant for office, he has always supported measures which would prove of the greatest value to the community. Being a stanch friend of educa- tion, his service on the school board was marked by progressive measures for raising the standard of the local schools. He has had no reason to regret hav- ing come to this country, for here he found the opportunities, of which he had heard, and, possessing the energy and enterprise necessary to develop them, he has gained a success of no small dimensions. It has been won by honorable means, too, so that the general respect and esteem in which he is held is well merited.
JOHN KURT.
John Kurt has made good use of his opportunities since he came to this coun- try and is numbered among the substantial men of Jackson county. He is now living retired in Bellevue, but for a long period he was actively connected with the best agricultural interests of this section of Iowa and still has in his posses- sion a fine farm of two hundred acres lying partly in Bellevue and partly in Jackson townships. He was born in the grand duchy of Luxemburg, May 8, 1842, a son of Michael and Mary (Scheitler) Kurt, natives of the same place. In 1848 the father brought his family to America, locating upon a farm in Du- buque county, Iowa, where he lived until his death. His wife passed away in Cascade. One other of the children born to them now survives, Margaret, who is the wife of Thomas Grace and lives in Missouri.
John Kurt was about six years of age when his parents emigrated to America and so is indebted to the public schools of Dubuque county, Iowa, for the training he received in the elementary branches of English education. He also obtained a practical knowledge of farm work as he assisted his father in the cultivation of the fields. He remained under the parental roof in Cascade township, Dubuque county, until he was about forty years of age, when he came to Jackson county and purchased a tract of four hundred acres of land seven miles southwest of Bellevue. He at once began the further cultivation and improvement of the place and prospered in his undertakings. He still owns a fine farm of two hun- dred acres. In all of his work he was progressive as well as industrious and
JOHN KURT
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
systematic, and in the course of a few years he obtained so notable a success that he felt he was justified in retiring. Accordingly, in April, 1898, he removed to Bellevue, where he is still residing. On locating here he bought a brick house on Third street, to which he has added until it is one of the fine homes of the city, a model of comfort, beauty and convenience. Here he enjoys many of the lux- uries of life, to which his many years of hard work so well entitles him, and the satisfaction that comes to a man who is conscious that the past holds nothing of which he need be ashamed.
On the 9th of February, 1870, Mr. Kurt wedded Miss Mary Till, like him- self a native of Luxemburg. As a child she came to America with her parents, Peter and Elizabeth Till, who spent the closing years of their lives in this state. Mr. and Mrs. Kurt had ten children, namely: Peter, who is living in Kansas; John B., who is operating his father's farm; Frank, who is residing in Kansas ; Anna, who is the wife of Harry Livingston, of Kingman, Kansas; William, of Emporia, Kansas ; Charles, of Canyon, Kansas; Antone, who is also in Kansas ; Clara, who is a school teacher; Celesta, who is in the normal school at Cedar Falls; and Edward, who is a pupil in the high school of Bellevue. Mrs. Kurt died in 1895, and in April, 1898, Mr. Kurt married again, his second wife having been Mrs. Christina Schwirtz, the widow of Joseph Schwirtz. Her father, Bene- dict Detterman, was a native of Germany, but she was born in Clinton county, Iowa.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Kurt has given unfailing support to the democratic party at the polls, but has otherwise not been active in its ranks, for he does not aspire to official preferment. He is a faithful communicant of the Catholic church, and by his daily life has proved the practical value of its teachings, having in every relation followed an honorable course, which has now brought him the respect and esteem universally paid to persons of genuine personal worth.
JONAS TAPLIN.
Jonas Taplin built a nice home in Miles, which he has occupied since 1900, and in this village he is engaged in building operations. Born in Oxfordshire, England, June 16, 1849, he is a son of John and Hannah (Tucker) Taplin, who have always made their home in that country. The son was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the country schools. He was a shepherd in his native country, being thus employed for a number of years, but in 1880, believing that he might better provide for himself and family in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, and upon reaching American shores, at once made his way to Miles, in Jackson county. He spent two years at farm labor, after which he rented land in Iowa township, which he cultivated for three years. On the expiration of that period he re- moved to Clinton county, where for fourteen years he operated land as a renter. In 1900, however, he returned to Jackson county and located in Miles, where he erected a nice home, which he occupies. Since establishing his resi-
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dence in this village he has been engaged in building operations and his skill in this direction makes his services in good demand.
Mr. Taplin was married prior to his emigration to this country, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Hall, whom he wedded on the 10th of July, 1875. Mrs. Taplin was likewise born in Oxfordshire, a daughter of James Hall of that place. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Taplin has been blessed with three children, two daughters and a son, as follows: Amy, the wife of Otto Bruhn, a resident of Alberta, Canada; Leonard, who wedded Miss Eva Buchanan, their home being in Montana; and Edith, the wife of Frank Repp, a resident of Miles.
Mr. Taplin's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give his support to the republican party, while fraternally he is con- nected with Lodge No. 572, I. O. O. F., at Miles, and has filled some of the chairs in that order. He and his wife attend the Congregational church. Though born across the water, Mr. Taplin is thoroughly American in thought and feel- ing and in his adopted country has found the freedom and opportunity he sought, and today occupies a place among the respected and honored citizens of Jackson county.
THOMAS LAMBERT.
The story of the life of Thomas Lambert is that of a man who has gained success solely by his own untiring industry, and the application of such sterling qualities of brain and heart that they have ever inspired the confidence and esteem of his fellows. He is a native Iowan, born on a farm in Union town- ship, Jackson county, two miles west of Sabula, February 13, 1855. His father, Thomas D. Lambert, had come to Iowa from the forests of Maine, and his mother, Sarah (Guenther) Lambert, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsyl- vania, of German ancestry. The father, during most of his life, pursued the trade of a stone mason in Sabula, and the son, as soon as old enough, became his assistant in that occupation. Young Thomas gained the essentials of an education in the public school of the village of Sabula, but as he approached manhood availed himself of the opportunity for further culture afforded by an excellent private school conducted by Mrs. A. R. Darling. The builders' trade affording occupation for the summer months only, he also for several years found employment as a butcher during the winters.
Opportunity came, in July, 1880, for entrance into a vocation for which he had conceived a strong liking. The Sabula Gazette, after vicissitudes under various proprietors, had obtained and enjoyed considerable prestige under the editorship of Dr. J. F. Fairbank, until that gentleman's death in 1879 had com- pelled a change of control. Frank B. Hand tried it a little more than a year, but was then ready to give it up. Alex N. Gray, a young printer from Chicago, appeared upon the scene, a partnership was formed with Thomas Lambert, and Gray & Lambert attacked with great energy the task of building up the news- paper enterprise. Within a few months, on April 20, 1881, Mr. Gray died, and
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young Lambert with very little of either money or experience, had to face a problem of considerable magnitude. With a courage and self-confidence that became a leading characteristic of his career, he resolved to continue the paper alone; an uncle came to his assistance by endorsing his note for one thousand dollars, and in a few years the Gazette became one of the most successful news- paper properties of the county. It still continues under the sole ownership of Mr. Lambert. Under the sub-head of the "Miles Reporter," a page devoted to the interests of the neighboring town of Miles, had been made a department of the paper before its acquisition by Gray & Lambert, and another department under the name of the Preston Independent was added later, both of which con- tinue to contribute an element of interest and success to the enterprise. Not- withstanding Mr. Lambert's active political career, the paper has always been strictly nonpartisan.
Success did not come over broad and flowery paths, but was compelled by the application of such unremitting toil as few men are capable of. During the first years of struggle to place the enterprise upon a safe financial plane, no hired labor was employed to do anything that could possibly be accomplished by the fingers and brain of the proprietor. Many a night on "issue day," that in- defatigable toiler did not cease his work and seek his couch until three o'clock in the morning, and then arose in time to place the edition in the mails for the morning trains. He was out of debt in a year and ready for other enterprises in which surplus energy might find vent.
In December, 1883, he formed a partnership with Charles B. Cotton, a brother-in-law, and as Lambert & Cotton, engaged for several years in pork packing and grain buying. In 1886 he acquired the leading insurance agency of the town, and it is still doing an extensive business in connection with the newspaper. A large farm two miles from the town limits was acquired a few years ago, and to its management has gone many days of real pleasure, as well as intelligent supervision.
For several years after 1888 he was associated with Anthony Brandt in the ownership and management of the Bellevue Herald at that place.
Along with his intense business activities there has always existed in the mind of Thomas Lambert an earnest desire to give some part of his talents and his love of work to the service of his fellowmen. Without very much of effort on his part (for of few public men can it so truly be said that he has never been an office seeker), this has taken the form of public office. He was elected city recorder of Sabula for four successive terms, and mayor for eight successive terms; was justice of the peace for Union township about twenty years, and township clerk for several years; was elected secretary of the school board for the Sabula independent district in 1882, and held that office continuously until his resignation in 1909, when his. appointment on the state board of education required his absence from the city.
His political affiliation has always been with the democratic party, and, while no lover of political disputation, he has always taken delight in aiding his friends in the party, and in the activities of conventions and campaigns. From about 1882 he has never missed a county convention, and for nearly as long a time has attended all of the state conventions of his party. In 1888 he
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was a delegate to the democratic national convention which met at St. Louis and nominated Grover Cleveland and Allen G. Thurman as the party standard bearers.
Although strongly solicited by party friends to accept a nomination for the state legislature at successive conventions, Mr. Lambert never felt at liberty to devote the necessary time to such duty until the campaign of 1895, when he was nominated and elected as a member of the house of representatives. He was reelected in 1897 and nominated and elected state senator in 1899, and again in 1903, thus serving in the house during the sessions of the twenty-sixth general assembly, the extra session of the twenty-sixth, January to May, 1897, and the twenty-seventh; and in the senate during the sessions of the twenty- eighth, twenty-ninth, thirtieth, thirty-first and thirty-second general assemblies, making the unusual record of eight successive sessions of the legislature. More than one of these nominations were given him against his earnest protest, but in no case could fault be found with the vigor and skill with which the cam- paigns for election were conducted and won in the face of adverse party ma- jorities. His legislative career was marked by entire devotion to the interests of his constituents ; close and laborious attention to duty on committees and on the floors; and a broad-minded view of all public questions that arose. He was throughout a persistent foe of extravagance in expenditures, and bitterly attacked everything that bore the semblance of graft. He created a sensation when, as a member of the printing committee of the house in the twenty-seventh assembly he exposed irregularities in the public printing and compelled reforms that have been lasting. As senator he labored heroically for two sessions to place the public printing on a business basis, and take it out of politics, but politics are still too strong in Iowa for that kind of reform.
In the thirty-first general assembly, Mr. Lambert was appointed one of a committee, of which Senator Whipple was chairman, to sit during the interval between sessions and make a thorough investigation into the needs of the three great educational institutions of the state, the University, the Agricultural Col- lege, and the State Normal School, and to report a plan for bringing those in- stitutions into more harmonious relations, and to institute needed economies. Senator Lambert threw himself into the work of this committee with his ac- customed ardor and thoroughness, and the plan which it recommended has received the hearty endorsement of such high authority as Dr. Henry S. Pritch- ett, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The bill brought in by the committee and laid before the thirty-second general assembly, found the influence of the three boards of regents of those state in- stitutions too potent, and it failed of passage; but Senator Whipple, being a member also of the thirty-third assembly, presented it before that body with better success, and it became a law to take effect in July, 1909. This law pro- vides for a board of education of nine members to control the affairs of the three state educational institutions, and that they shall select from outside their own membership, a finance committee of three members, not more than two of whom shall be members of the same political party, who shall be salaried officers and spend their whole time in the work of the board, thus being the actual administrative officers of the board.
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