USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 13
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A. A. Vaughn, who was the seventh in order of birth in a family of nine children, obtained his preliminary education in the schools of his native state and when fourteen years of age came to Jones county, Iowa, entering the home of his sister Mary, who was the wife of C. S. Gilbert, a merchant, grain dealer
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and cheese manufacturer of Wyoming. He attended the Wyoming high school and also pursued a course in the Davenport Business College, and after com- pleting his education was associated with his brother-in-law for a year. Subse- quently he entered the general store of A. M. Loomis a salesman and book- keeper, being thus employed until 1882, when he became assistant cashier of the First National Bank. In 1904 he was made cashier of the institution and has since acted in that capacity. He is thoroughly conversant with the banking business in principle and detail and his capable control of the First National Bank is manifested in its growing success.
Mr. Vaughn has been married twice. In 1877 he wedded Miss Sarah Gilbert, who passed away on the 10th of November, 1886, leaving two children : Vera L. and Minnie S. On the 22d of August, 1889, Mr. Vaughn was agained married, his second union being with Miss Frances Sykes, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Ralph and Theresa Sykes. In her girlhood days she accompanied her parents on their removal to Jones county. By his second wife Mr. Vaughn also has two children : Aleta A. and Florence M.
In politics Mr. Vaughn is a stalwart republican and has served his fellow towns- men in several positions of trust and responsibility. He acted as mayor for a year and at the present time is a member of the town council. He has likewise been identified with the school board and has served as its president and secre- tary. His fraternal relations are with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in religious faith he is a Methodist. He has now resided in this county for four decades and is widely and favorably known within its borders, his upright and honorable career commanding the respect and esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
THOMAS C. GORMAN, M. D.
Prominent among the representatives of professional interests in Jones county is Dr. Thomas C. Gorman, successfully practicing as a physician and surgeon in Anamosa. He holds to high ideals in his chosen life work and his careful prepara- tion has made him well qualified for the onerous duties which devolve upon him in professional connections. He was born in Hale. Jones county. on the 4th of. August, 1874. and is a son of John and Mary (Rooney) Gorman, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The year 1847 witnessed their arrival in America and in Troy, New York, their marriage was celebrated. Soon afterward they removed to Chicago, Illinois, where they remained for about five years and later came to this state.
Dr. Gorman has spent his entire life in Iowa, pursuing his education in his youthful days in the schools of Dubuque. Later he determined upon the practice of medicine as his life work and to this end was matriculated in the Rush Medical College of Chicago in 1893. He pursued the regular four years course and was graduated in 1897. He spent the succeeding year and a half at St Elizabeth Hos- pital, thus putting to the practical test his theoretical training and qualifying for the onerous duties of a private practice in the broad and varied experience for
DR. T. C. GORMAN
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hospital work. On leaving that institution he came to Anamosa in 1898, opened his office here and has since successfully practiced, being regarded as one of the leading physicians and surgeons in this part of the state. He is also acting as surgeon for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway at this point. He is very care- ful in the diagnosis of his cases and his judgment seldom if ever is at fault in determining the outcome of disease. He performs all professional duties with a sense of conscientious obligation that has won him the confidence and support of the general public and the regard of his professional brethren. In addition to his practice he owns a city dwelling, three farms, two farms of three hundred and forty acres in Fairview township and another tract of four hundred and eighty acres of land in Texas. He is a stockholder and director in the Niles & Waters Bank, a director of the public library and also a director in the Anamosa Fair Association, and in the control and management of these interests he displays the qualities of an enterprising and progressive business man as well as the salient features of a successful medical practitioner.
On the 15th of October, 1902, Dr. Gorman was married to Miss Nellie E. Gavin, a daughter of Malachi and Mary Ellen Gavin, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Dr. and Mrs. Gorman now have two sons, Thomas Gavin and Edward Carroll.
In his fraternal relations Dr. Gorman is connected with Mount Carmel lodge of the Knights of Columbus at Cedar Rapids and with the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 167, at Anamosa. He is also a member of the Catholic church and his political allegiance is given to the democracy. He is a man fearless in the de- fense of whatever he believes to be right and his position is never an equivocal one. In matters of public concern he manifests discriminating and intelligent citizenship, laboring earnestly and effectively for the welfare of the community, while in social life his genial qualities have won for him warm friendships and kindly regard.
JAMES A. BRACHA.
James A. Bracha, who for twelve years has been proprietor of a general mer- cantile store at Oxford Junction, while his activity in public affairs supplemented by a zealous desire for the general good, has made him a valued and representa- tive citizen, was born in Bohemia, September 18, 1870. His parents, John and Mary (Cerny) Bracha, were also natives of that country. The latter died in 1884, but the father now resides on a farm near Parkston, South Dakota. Since losing his first wife he has married again.
James A. Bracha is the eldest of the seven children of the first marriage and was a lad of ten summers when, in 1880, he accompanied his parents across the Atlantic and on to Chicago, where they established their home. A year and a half later, however, they removed to Bonhomme county, South Dakota, and since that time or from the age of eleven years, James A. Bracha has been de- pendent upon his own labor for whatever success he has enjoyed. He worked on a ranch as a herder of sheep for three years and was afterward employed at
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general labor on a farm until seventeen years of age, when he became connected with mercantile interests, securing a clerkship in the general store at Armour, South Dakota. Fourteen years ago he went upon the road as traveling sales- man for a grocery house, spending two years in that way and in the fall of 1896 he came to Oxford Junction, where he assumed the management of the general store of Johnson Brothers, remaining in charge for about eight months. He was then married and entered his present business in the fall of 1897, since which time he has been proprietor of a general mercantile establishment at this place. He has the largest store in town and he owns as well the building which he occu- pies and which he erected. In the spring of 1898, his store was swept away in a disastrous fire which occurred in the town and his was the first building erected after the conflagration. ] He has a one-story brick structure, forty-four by seventy feet with a basement under the entire building. His establishment is conducted on the department store plan under the firm style of Bracha & Com- pany. Mrs. Bracha has been an able assistant to her husband since the business was established.
Mr. Bracha's mercantile interests, however, by no means limit the extent of his activities. He has been very prominent in community affairs and was twice elected mayor on the democratic ticket but resigned in the winter of 1908-9. In the spring of 1909 he became president of the board of education and is doing effective work in the interests of the schools. He cooperates in every move- ment for the material, intellectual and social progress of the city and has served as a committeeman from his township on the democratic central committee.
In August. 1897. Mr. Bracha was united in marriage to Miss Frances B. Wosoba, a native of Oxford township and a daughter of Michael B. and Anna (Dusanek) Wosoba, who were natives of Bohemia and now reside at Oxford Junction. Mr. and Mrs. Bracha have two children, Adaline and Amelia. Mr. Bracha belongs to New Era Lodge, No. 88, K. P., and Zealous Lodge, No. 245, A. F. & A. M., and of the Commercial Club is vice-president. He is a promi- nent factor in the business life of the town, contributing to its commercial pros- perity through his efforts, while his labors in behalf of general improvement are far-reaching and beneficial.
GEORGE C. GORMAN.
Among the younger representatives of the Jones county bar is George C. Gorman, who is steadily making his way to the head of the profession. He was born at Wyoming. Iowa. December 21. 1882, and is a son of John and Margaret S. (Curran) Gorman, the former a native of the state of New York, while the latter was born in Jones county. They were married on the 16th of April, 1878, and continued to reside in Jones county until the Ist of March, 1909. when they removed to Davenport. Iowa, where Mr. Gorman is engaged in the real estate business. Their family numbers the following named: John C., who is married and living at Ottumwa. South Dakota ; James R., now deceased ; Nellie E., a trained nurse, who resides in Davenport; George C., of this review ;
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M. J., a student of the Law College at the Iowa State University at Iowa City ; Mary M., a school teacher of Davenport; Daniel A., a student at St. Joseph's College at Dubuque ; Lillian G., also a student at Mount St. Joseph's Academy, at Dubuque; Raymond F., a student at St. Ambrose College of Davenport; and Margaret, deceased.
At the usual age George C. Gorman entered the public schools, wherein he continued his studies through successive grades until he was graduated from the high school. He pursued his more specifically classical course at St. Joseph's College in Dubuque, while in Iowa City he prepared for the practice of law as a student in the law department of the State University. He was there grad- uated and was admitted to the bar in June, 1905. For a time he was associated in practice with Judge Ellison of Anamosa, but the latter was elected to the bench in 1907, and Mr. Gorman then joined the firm of Jamison & Smyth, under the present style of Jamison, Smyth & Gorman. This is one of the strong law firms of the city, and Mr. Gorman is adding to its repu- tation by the earnest work which he is doing in the courts. He is very careful and systematic in the preparation of a case and his arguments are characterized by terse and decisive logic. Fraternally Mr. Gorman is connected with the Knights of Columbus of Cedar Rapids and with the Modern Woodmen of America, at Anamosa. The circle of his friends however, is not limited by the membership of those organizations, for he is widely and favorably known in this county, where his entire life has been passed and where he has so directed his energies and his activities as to win the respect and good will of those who have known him from his boyhood as well as of the acquaintances of later years.
E. H. KNITTLE, M. D.
Dr. E. H. Knittle, who since 1899 has been a successful representative of the medical profession in Onslow, is now enjoying a most extensive and lucrative practice and is also the proprietor of a modern and up-to-date drug store. His birth occurred in Maquoketa, Iowa, on the 10th of April, 1874, his parents being Henry and Maria (Engalls) Knittle, who were natives of Pennsylvania and New York respectively. The father, who came to Iowa when about fourteen years of age, worked at the painter's trade for two years and then secured em- ployment as a clerk in the store of a Mr. McGregor of Maquoketa, in which con- nection he became familiar with the business in principle and detail. At the end of two years he embarked in business on his own account as a merchant at Maquoketa, forming a partnership with Benjamin A. Spencer, which continued throughout the remainder of his active connection with mercantile interests. He was for many years a prominent factor in business circles and was widely recog- nized as one of Maquoketa's most enterprising, progressive and public-spirited citizens. It was largely owing to his efforts that the Chicago & Northwestern and Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroads built their lines through that town, and in fact his aid and influence were ever given on the side of progress and improvement. His death, which occurred in March, 1903, when he had at-
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tained the age of sixty-two years, was deeply mourned by all who knew him, and it was uniformly conceded that the community had lost one of its most respected and influential residents. He was a charter member of the Masonic lodge in Maquoketa and a worthy exemplar of the craft.
Dr. E. H. Knittle was reared in the place of his nativity and, beginning his education at the usual age, was graduated from the Maquoketa high school with the class of 1893. Determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he entered the office of Dr. A. B. Bowen at Maquoketa, under whose direc- tion he read during the periods of vacation until he had won his degree. In the fall of 1894 he entered the medical department of the Iowa State University and was graduated from that institution in 1897. He then began the practice of his chosen profession in partnership with his former preceptor, Dr. Bowen, which association was maintained for two years. On the expiration of that period, in 1899, Dr. Knittle opened an office in Onslow, Jones county, where he has since built up an extensive and altogether enviable practice. His skill and ability have been constantly manifest in the excellent results which have attended his efforts for the alleviation of human suffering and the restoration of health, and he well merits the confidence which his patients repose in him. He keeps in touch with the onward march of the profession through his membership in the Iowa State Medical Society and the Jones County Medical Society. In the spring of 1907 he opened a handsome and well equipped drug store at Onslow and, placing a registered pharmacist in charge, has already built up an extensive trade in this connection.
In 1901 Dr. Knittle was united in marriage to Miss Beth Neelan, of Onslow, by whom he has a daughter, Grace Maurine. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, with which his wife is also identified. His fraternal relations are with Keystone Lodge, No. 206, F. & A. M., of Wyoming; Onslow Lodge, No. 296, I. O. O. F .; Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 2120; and the Mystic Workers of the World. While yet a young man, he has already attained a creditable position in professional circles, while the salient characteristics of his manhood are such as have brought him the warm regard of those with whom he has been otherwise associated.
MOREY SICKLE.
Although Morey Sickle has been a resident of Anamosa for a comparatively brief period during the past seven years he has established himself as one of the prominent and enterprising merchants of the city, conducting a well appointed enterprise known as The Leader. Here he carries a large line of dry goods. clothing, men's and ladies' furnishings, etc. and has built up a good trade which is constantly increasing as the years go by.
Mr. Sickle is a native of New York city, born January 24. 1867. His par- ents, I. H. and Fannie (Raff) Sickle, were both natives of Washington, D. C., and were long residents of New York but in later years removed to Minnesota.
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The mother died about 1898, when forty-three years of age and the father, sur- viving her until 1902, passed away at the age of sixty-five years. In their family were eight children: Nathan, Bertha, Morey, Isadore, Anna, May, Irene and Herbert, who died in infancy.
Morey Sickle spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home and the early educational privileges which he enjoyed were those offered by the public schools, and he later attended college. His early business training was received in New York city and he entered upon an independent business career in 1898, when he opened a clothing and drygoods store at Wells, Minnesota. He built up a large trade, there continuing the business for four years but, believing a better field of opportunity was offered in Anamosa, he came to this city in 1902 and has since made it his home. Here he established the store which is now known as The Leader. He carries a very complete general stock, including dry goods, clothing, men's and ladies' furnishings, trunks, ladies' cloaks, suits etc. and the store is very popular for liis prices are reasonable. The store is neat and tasteful in its arrangements and the wishes of the patrons are attended by Mr. Sickle and a corps of competent assistants who are always courteous and obligating.
In 1907 Mr. Sickle was united in marriage to Miss Esther Rosenfield, a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Rosenfield, of Rock Island, Illinois. Their home is now blessed with two children, Marion and Josephine. Fraternally Mr. Sickle is connected with the Masons and with the Modern Woodmen of America. His attention, however, is chiefly given to his business affairs which make heavy demands upon his time and attention. He gives to each detail of the business his personal supervision, knowing that the neglect of minor things has often been the rock upon which mercantile ventures have been wrecked. He is diligent, persevering and progressive and his success is well merited.
JOHN HENIK.
John Henik. now residing on his farm of twenty-two acres on section 25, Hale township, where he is successfully engaged in the growing of small fruits, is also the owner of a farm of two hundred acres on the same section, which he has leased for the past three years. His birth occurred in Johnson county, Iowa, on the 27th of March, 1857, his parents being Michael and Josephine Henik, natives of Bohemia. In 1854 they set sail for the United States and. after landing on the shores of this country made their way at once to Johnson county, Iowa, spending the remainder of their lives on a farm there. The mother was called to her final rest in March, 1896, while the father passed away on the 20th of August, 1899, when he had attained the age of seventy-seven years and three months. Their children were eleven in number, as follows: Antone, whose demise occurred in Oxford; Frank, who enlisted in the Fifty-fourth Iowa Volun- teer Infantry at the time of the Civil war and was killed while in the service ; Katie, the widow of Frank Nowachek, of Oxford Junction; George, a resident of Kansas; Joseph, whose sketch appears on another page of this work; Mary,
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who died in infancy; John, of this review; Anna, who passed away at the age of sixteen years; James, of Oxford township; William living in Hale town- ship; and Frank, the second of the name, who makes his home in Cedar Rapids.
John Henik lived at home until he was married in 1884, since which time he has been a resident of Hale township, Jones county. He first bought a tract of eighty acres on section 25, but gradually increased his landed holdings by additional purchase from time to time until the farm now comprises two hun- dred acres of rich and arable land. There he successfully carried on agricultural and stock raising interests until about 1906, when he leased the place and took up his abode on a tract of twenty-two acres on section 25, where he has since de- voted his attention to the growing of small fruits, for which he finds a ready sale on the market.
In 1884 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Henik and Miss Anna Chabal, who was born in Johnson county, Iowa, on the 25th of September, 1861. Her parents, James and Katie (Merkosh) Chabal, were natives of Bohemia but were married in this country. They came to Iowa in 1855 and here spent the re- mainder of their lives, passing away in Johnson county. Mr. and Mrs. Henik are the parents of six children, namely : Mary, who resides on her father's farm with her husband; Frank Fritz; Anna, the wife of Louis Mizaur, of Oxford township; Rosa, the wife of John Cloid, of Oxford Junction; Tilly, the wife of Louis Luke, of Oxford township; Gilbert, at home; and Fred.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Henik has supported the men and measures of the democracy and has capably served his fellow towns- men in various minor offices. He is a faithful communicant of the Bohemian Catholic church at Oxford Junction and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at that place and the C. B. A., a Bohemian lodge. The period of his residence in this county now covers a quarter of a century and he enjoys in large measure the esteem and good will of those with whom he has come in contact.
WILLIAM ALEXANDER CUNNINGHAM.
Many of the business men of Anamosa have come here after the prosperity of the town was assured, attracted by the atmosphere of progress that surrounds it or because of the unusual opportunities here afforded. To their energy and ability all praise is due, save that which belongs to the men who started the town upon its upward career. Among the latter must be numbered William Alexander Cunningham, an ice dealer and the president of the gas company, who has not only watched the growth of Anamosa but has been most active in bringing about its commercial advancement, for many of the industries, in whose flourishing condition the citizens take a pride, were either instigated by him or given that encouragement which insured their development along extensive lines.
Mr. Cunningham was born in Indiana February 21, 1850, his parents being Samuel and Hannah (McQueen) Cunningham, the former a native of Pennsyl- vania and the latter of Ohio. In 1853 they came to Anamosa, where Samuel Cunningham engaged in the mercantile business, conducting a general store until
W. A. CUNNINGHAM
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his death, which occurred in 1866, when he was forty-nine years of age. His widow survived him for a long period, for she was not called to her final rest until 1904, when she was in her seventy-fourth year.
William Alexander Cunningham was enrolled as a pupil of the graded school in Anamosa and later attended the Hazel Knowl Academy. His first business venture was in the ice business, on which he embarked in 1868, and although he has still made it his principal concern the conditions connected with it forty years ago were very different from what they are today. Then delivery of ice was made by basket, and only one man is living in Anamosa today who was his customer at that time. For one season after he started in his business the supply of ice gave out, and the price rose to one dollar a hundred, three times the price at which Mr. Cunningham had made his contracts at the opening of the season. Such was his idea of honor, however, that although he might lose money by the transac- tions, he continued to serve his customers at the stipulated price, and they were permitted to buy as much as they desired. But one competitor, and that for only one season, has invaded the territory which Mr. Cunningham has come to con- sider his own, not that the town might not support another, but his patrons have been so well satisfied with his conduct of the ice business that they would need many inducements to bring them to the point of giving their custom to another. He supplies both wholesale and retail orders, but makes a specialty of winter shipments, and were onc to inquire for a reason for his success he would un- doubtedly modestly disclaim any part in it himself, laying it solely to the excellent quality of the Wapsipinicon ice he handles.
Among the other business enterprises with which Mr. Cunningham has been identified may be mentioned the Citizens' Savings Bank and the People's Gas Company. The former was organized March 14, 1907, with William A. Cun- ningham as president ; William Thomas, as vice-president; F. G. Ray, as cashier ; and as directors, William A. Cunningham, William Thomas, F. G. Ray, Colonel William T. Shaw. Dr. Hejinian and J. A. Belknap. The People's Gas Company was organized in 1909, with a capital of thirty-five thousand dollars and with im- portant men of the town as its officers. William A. Cunningham is president. F. G. Ray is vice-president. J. E. Remley occupies the position of secretary, while E. K. Ray is the treasurer. The board of directors number W. A. Cun- ningham, F. G. Ray, William Thomas, C. L. Niles, J. A. Belknap, E. K. Ray and J. E. Remley. The concern is prospering and gives promise of a successful career, profitable alike to its organizers and those who will share in the conveniences which it puts within the reach of all.
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