USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 21
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Dr. Clark Joslin was the first physician of Jones county and his practice ex- tended over a radius of fifty miles He made professional calls within seven
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miles of Davenport, treating five cases of typhoid within a short distance of that city. He made all of his trips on horseback and was a very familiar figure in this part of the state in pioneer times. He had a remarkable record as a hun- ter, killing many deer and other large game. On one occasion he killed a deer within eighty rods of the present site of the depot at Anamosa. On first com- ing to the county, he located in the little town of Fairview but later established his home in the county seat. In pioneer times he suffered from exposure and hardships incident to the long rides across the wild prairies but he was a skill- ful physician and never hesitated to respond to a call for his professional serv- ice when needed. At one time nearly the entire population of the district were ill with bilious fever. He made his way to Dubuque and Muscatine for needed medicines and on one occasion led a cow to Dubuque, selling her for six dollars. He invested this money in quinine, which then sold for nine dollars per ounce, so that it took the price of a cow and a half to buy a single ounce of the medicine. Dr. Joslin, however, was a botanist with much knowledge of plants and there- fore in his practice used many herbs in the treatment of the sick. As the country gradually settled up, however, he found he could secure drugs and other re- medial agencies with which to minister to his patients and thus modern practice took the place of the old methods of bleeding and purging. He had commenced the study of medicine in Michigan, where he practiced for about three years before coming to Iowa and in this state was in continuous practice from 1837 until 1899, or for nearly sixty-two years. He had followed the Thomsonian method but later took up the methods of practice known to the regular or allo- pathic school. He assisted in treating cases of cholera as early as 1832 and thus his entire life was given to a work which proved of the greatest benefit to his fellowmen.
Dr. James M. D. Joslin, whose name introduces this review, :vas reared on the old family homestead amid the environment of pioncer life in Jones county. One of the incidents of his youth which he well remembers is that in the early '50s, when his father and grandfather went into the bottom lands toward Inde- pendence on a hunting trip. They were gone three days and killed twenty-two deer, so that they were enabled to enjoy smoked venison for sometime. His youthful days were spent under the parental roof and his early education was acquired in the public schools. He afterward took up the study of medicine and is a graduate of the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Keokuk. In the spring of 1875 he commenced practice in association with his father. He has now been a representative of the medical fraternity here for thirty-four years and through- out the entire period his conscientious performance of duty, his capability and the steady progress which he has made along professional lines by reason of his research and investigation have made him one of the most successful physicians of the county, giving to him an extensive patronage.
in 1877 Dr. Joslin was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Sweeny, a daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth (Young) Sweeny, natives of Ireland and New York, respectively. At an early date they became residents of Elgin, Illinois, and subsequently removed to Lansing, Iowa, in 1855, there continuing to make their home until called to their final rest. Dr. and Mrs. Joslin have one son, Clark Eccless, an electrical engineer, who is now manager of the Jones
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county Telephone Company. He wedded Estelle Irene Plourde, a daughter of Fred Plourde and a native of Wisconsin. They have one child, Irene Lenore. They were married in Plattville, Wisconsin, where Mr. Joslin was employed by an electrical company. He was born on the 4th of March. 1879, and acquired his literary education in the public schools and afterward pursued his course in electrical engineering at Ames, Iowa.
As the years have gone by Dr. Joslin has prospered and is not only enjoying a large practice at the present time but also has an excellent income from valu- able farming property. He owns one hundred and forty acres of land on sec- tion 32, Cass township, and one hundred and fifty acres on section 4, Fair- view township. He also owns a stone quarry, which is operated by James Law- rence, and some town property including two houses and lots. Dr. Joslin is well known as a representative member of the Odd Fellows society. He belongs to the lodge in which he has held all the different offices and he has also taken the military degrees of the order. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he served as pension examining surgeon under President Cleveland. For fourteen years he was city alderman and was elected county coroner but resigned that office. His life has ever been a busy and useful one, crowned with honor and respect, and he is a most worthy representative of one of the leading pioneer families of this part of the state.
JOSEPH F. FRITSCH.
Joseph F. Fritsch, the leading photographer of Anamosa, is a native of Zauchtel, Austria, his parents being Fred and Anna (Simper) Fritsch, who were likewise born in that locality. The father was reared in his native country and there learned the machinist's trade. In 1893 with his family he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took up his abode in Garner, Iowa, where he followed his trade until 1897 and he has since been successfully engaged in business as a photographer.
Joseph F. Fritsch obtained his education in the public schools at Garner and after putting aside his text-books devoted himself to the mastery of the art of photography, which profession he had determined to make his life work. He studied under such prominent photographers as Jacob Schaeffer, of Chicago, C. G. Stearns of Minneapolis and W. B. Wright of Mason City, Iowa. In 1906 he opened his first studio at Mason City, where he remained for three years, then he came to Anamosa and purchased the studio of D. E. Cook, which he has conducted since the 15th of April, 1909. In 1907, at the convention of the Photographer's Association of Iowa. he won first honors among about fifty com- petitors and was presented with a beautiful bronze vase eighteen inches high. This trophy is on exhibition in his studio at Anamosa and he prizes it very highly. He recognizes the value of light and shade and of contrast, employs the latest improved processes and in his business has gained a measure of success that is most gratifying.
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Mr. Fritsch exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the republican party. He is a faithful communicant of the Catholic church and also belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He is a member of the Photographer's Association of Iowa and of the Photographer's Association of America.
GEORGE LAFAYETTE LOVELL.
Few positions in the world of affairs and business demand a greater executive capacity, a keener acumen in commercial matters and a healthy union of con- servatism and progress than does that of president of a banking institution. These are the qualities possessed in high degree by George Lafayette Lovell, who, for more than three decades, has been connected with the financial interests of Monticello and for more than a third of that time has been the president of the Lovell State Bank.
He was born in Climax, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, March 20, 1856, and is a son of Dr. Lafayette W. and Catharine ( Eldred) Lovell, who as children had gone to Michigan in the second quarter of the past century. The father was a native of Windham county, Vermont, and was descended from English and Welsh ancestors who were early settlers of New England, some of them being prominent in the affairs of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Their descendants have in turn followed the course of the history of this country, each playing his part in the life about him. In 1835, Dr. Lafayette W. Lovell came west with his parents, who located in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, where he grew to man- hood and established himself as a physician. Besides achieving distinction in his profession he became prominent in county and state affairs, in which his in- fluence was felt until his death, in 1896. His wife, Miss Catharine Eldred in her maidenhood, was a native of Otsego county, New York and a daughter of Judge Caleb Eldred, who had gone to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, in 1832. The young people were united in marriage in 1848, together passing down life's high- way until 1892, when Mrs. Lovell was called to her final rest.
George Lafayette Lovell was reared under the parental roof, obtaining his early education in the village schools of Climax, Michigan. Their course of in- struction completed, he was enrolled as a student in Olivet College, Olivet, Mich- igan, and after spending two years there he went to Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, at which he remained from 1873 to 1875. The winter of 1875-76 he devoted to study at Parsons Business College, Kalamazoo, Michigan, completing the prescribed course. He came to Monticello, Iowa, in March, 1876, and for the next few months acted as bookkeeper in the bank here and that in Straw- berry Point. Early in 1878 he entered into partnership with G. W. Lovell, an uncle, under the firm name of G. W. & G. L. Lovell, and the two conducted a profitable banking business here for nineteen years, until 1897, when the death of the older man compelled a reorganization of the concern. It was then in- corporated under the state laws as the Lovell State Bank and Mr. Lovell has since acted as its president. The sound financial policy which has characterized
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its existence, the stability of the investments in which its funds have been placed and its general safety as a repository for the moneys of others, these and many other things have won for it the confidence of the citizens and for its owner the highest respect.
On the 19th of December, 1878, in Olivet, Michigan, Mr. Lovell was joined in wedlock to Miss Fredrika M. Green, a native of Lancaster, Erie county, New York. Three children were born of the union: Grace, who is the wife of George L. Schoonover, of Anamosa, Iowa; Lafayette W., who married Miss Lisle M. Richardson; and Catharine E. One of the pioneer bankers of the town, Mr. Lovell has added to that distinction the fact that his career has ever been marked by a high conception of honor and integrity.
HENRY HENRICHS.
Henry Henrichs, who throughout the period of his residence in Scotch Grove township was recognized as one of its honored, respected and valued citizens, claimed Germany as the country of his nativity, his birth occurring in Olden- burg on the 27th of November, 1859. There he was reared to manhood, ac- quiring his education in the public schools, and when twenty-three years of age decided to come to the new world, which, he had heard, offered excellent oppor- tunities for advancement along business lines. Consequently in 1882 he left his home and friends and sailed for America, coming direct to Scotch Grove town- ship, Jones county. Here he worked as a farm hand for George Bohlken until 1883, when he returned to the fatherland and remained with his parents until the following year. Once more crossing the Atlantic he again made his way to Scotch Grove township, where for a period of two years he was engaged as a farm hand, working by the month.
On the 4th of March, 1886, Mr. Henrichs was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Meinen, a native of Wayne township, Jones county, and after their mar- riage they began their domestic life upon a farm of one hundred acres in Scotch Grove township, which had come to his wife by inheritance. They resided upon that farm about six years and removed to an adjoining farm of seventy acres which Mr. Henrichs had purchased in the meantime. In 1898 they took up their abode upon the present home farm where he spent the remaining days of his life and upon which his widow still resides. He engaged in general agricultural pursuits and also made a specialty of the dairy business, keeping on hand from twenty to twenty-five cows for that purpose. Systematic and methodical in the conduct of his affairs, a combination of these stalwart German characteristics with the more American spirit of enterprise and progress insured him a most gratifying measure of success which placed him among the substantial and rep- resentative citizens of the township. At the time of his death he and his wife owned jointly two hundred and ninety acres of land.
With the passing of the years Mr. and Mrs. Henrichs became the parents of six children, Charles, Nellie, William, Emma, Mabel and Lillie, all of whom are still at home. He was a member, as is his wife, of the Evangelical Lutheran
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church and was a man of many sterling traits of character, whose entire career measured up to a high standard of honorable manhood. Independent in poli- tics, he reserved the right of casting his vote for the men and measures which in his opinion were best adapted to conserve public welfare regardless of party ties. He served efficiently for several years as a member of the school board and his influence was ever upon the side of material, intellectual and moral development. He passed from this life on the 21st of March, 1909, and his death was mourned by a large number of friends who had come to respect and honor him for his genuine worth of character. His wife still resides upon the home farm and is a very capable woman, conducting her affairs in a most care- ful and businesslike manner. Kindly in spirit and pleasing in disposition, she is popular with a large number of warm friends throughout the community, who know her for an excellent neighbor and a true and loyal friend.
L. and L. F. ZELLER.
Nothing is more indicative of the material prosperity of a city or town than the character of the banking institutions which are supported there. Upon these depends the development of all other interests; their standing more than anything else influences keen business men in establishing industries in their vicinity. In consequence, judging from this attitude of the world at large, it would seem that the great progress which Oxford Junction has made in the last twenty years, has been due in no small measure to the enterprise, the fidelity and the banking policies of L. and L. F. Zeller, father and son, who are the owners of the Citizens Exchange Bank. It was organized first in 1889, but as its business increased to large proportions its capital was accordingly increased to fifty thousand dollars and an individual responsibility to over one hundred thousand dollars.
L. Zeller, who was the first to see the need and opportunity for a bank in Oxford Junction, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1839. At the age of thirteen he came to America, taking up his residence in Trenton, New Jersey, where he lived until 1859. In that year he started for Iowa. After about one year spent in Keokuk, he came to Jones county, locating upon a farm which was then known as the Stafford place and is now owned by his sister. In 1875, he disposed of his land and moved to Oxford Junction, which was but a village in those days, being a very new town, for the Sabula & Ackerley and the Davenport & St. Paul railroads had only been laid about four years before. Deciding to go into busi- ness he accordingly built a store, which afterward was changed to the Arlen House, and placed on sale a large stock of up-to-date merchandise. Successful as the venture was financially, the change of occupation did not agree with his health so he sold his goods to J. B. Richards & Son, of Wyoming, and the store to Frank Arlen, who has since converted it into a hotel. Then he built the fine residence now owned by P. C. Ingwersen, which was the first brick structure of its kind in the city, and, in the course of years selling it, he erected the fine home where he and his son now reside.
L. ZELLER
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From 1880 to 1889, Mr. Zeller was not actively engaged in any particular busi- ness but he was keenly alive to the world of finance, making a thorough study of loans, banking, investments and the general business methods of financiers, thus acquiring a knowledge which has made his advice and judgment eagerly sought by investors. It also, united with his reputation for promptness and honest dealings, has made possible his success in the conduct of the Citizens Exchange Bank.
In 1864, Mr. Zeller, married Miss Josephine Egida, and of their union was born L. F. Zeller, who is following in the footsteps of his father, although he enjoys a strong character and a fair name all of his own making. He was born in Oxford township in 1866, but as his parents moved to Oxford Junction when he was eight years old, his education has been in large measure derived from the public schools there. After finishing the high school course he entered Cornell College for a year, and then went to Lenox College, from which he was graduated with the degree of B. S. It was in 1888 that he started upon his busi- ness career, finding employment as a clerk in a hardware store in Cedar Rapids. There he remained until, as he expresses it, "We were struck with the banking fever," and he joined his father in the new enterprise. Put to many severe tests his capabilities were found sufficient to meet all the demands made upon him and he was taken into partnership. Now he has full charge of the bank, while his father attends to the outside business, such as land investments, collections and rentals, and so forth.
L. F. Zeller soon won recognition for his ability even beyond the confines of his office, for in 1892, when the younger men of Oxford Junction decided to take the government out of the hands of the older and experienced directors of affairs, the name of L. F. Zeller was placed at the head of their ticket. He was elected by a large majority, served with his usual fidelity to the trust im- posed in him, winning notice throughout the state as being the youngest mayor then in office in Iowa. A man full of energy and enthusiasm, he is a most worthy member of the public library board, while his sound business methods, his faithfulness and his courtesy have contributed their share toward promot- ing the success of the bank.
A few words regarding the institution itself will not be out of place. Organ- fzed October 19, 1889, with a capital of ten thousand dollars, in a year and a half it had outgrown its accommodations so that it had to be moved to a place better adapted to its needs. In 1897, another removal was necessary for the same rea- sons, and a new safe was installed in a fire proof vault. This last adjunct was secured none too soon for in 1898 the bank building was wrecked by fire, which, however, did no damage to the valuables placed in the vault, which has since been made doubly secure against all the perils to which safes are subject. The present building in which the bank is housed was erected at a cost of three thous- and dollars and is one of the most attractive edifices on Broadway. The entire first floor is given over to the needs of the concern, the banking rooms being fitted in the most modern and attractive style. There money is received from anyone, interest being paid upon deposits at the current rate, while accounts of farmers, merchants and others are received on favorable terms. Commercial and real-estate loans are made upon acceptable security, exchanges are bought
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and sold and collections made ; indeed, a general banking business in all that that implies is carried on. But in addition the concern has the agency for the leading life, fire and accident insurance companies and the buying and selling of real estate. From them may be obtained letters of credit to any port across the ocean. As the greater part of the bank's securities are placed in farm land, much of it in the vicinity of Oxford Junction, its patrons know that its funds are safely invested. This fact combined with the reputation its owners enjoy have made the institution one in which the greatest confidence is placed by those in Oxford Junction and in its vicinity.
ALEXANDER BEATTY, JR.
Alexander Beatty, Jr., is one of the successful agriculturists of Richland township. He was born on the farm on which he now lives, April 2, 1879, and is a son of Alexander and Mary (South) Beatty. The latter was born in Pike county, Missouri, but the father was a native of Ireland, coming to America in 1848, at the time of the great famine when so many of Erin's sons sought refuge in this country. He made his way almost directly to Jones county, Iowa, where he bought the land on which his son Alexander makes his home today. Upon this place his wife died in May, 1895, and here he passed away January II, 1901. Nine children were born to them: Agnes, who is now the wife of Robert Lee, of Muscatine, Iowa; John S., who lives in Richland township; Joseph, of Inde- pendence, Iowa ; Eva, who is the wife of J. B. Atchison, of Cascade, Iowa; Hat- tie, who married J. L. Fober, of Dubuque county, Iowa ; Alexander Jr., the sub- ject of this sketch ; and Thomas, William and Mary, deceased.
Alexander Beatty, Jr., has always lived on the farm which was his birth- place and is his home today. He attended the district schools of the township, from which he derived a fair education, and then returned to the duties at home which had not been relinquished during the years he was a student, for from an early age he assisted in the cultivation of his father's farm. When the latter was released from the cares of this world he assumed the management of the place, purchasing the interests of the other heirs. Since then he has devoted all his time and energies to agricultural pursuits, making the one hundred and thirty acres produce bountiful harvests. His industry has brought him a pronounced success and it has also served as an inspiration to others who have witnessed the substantial returns that have resulted from it.
In June, 1894, Mr. Beatty wedded Miss Sadie Nachtrieb, who was born in Cascade, Iowa, in 1870, and was a daughter of John and Harriett (Lewis) Nach- trieb, one of the three children born to the couple. Both parents are dead now but during their lives they were important members of the agricultural com- munity of Dubuque county. Mrs. Nachtrieb was a native of Indiana, while her husband was born in Germany, but he had come to the United States in his youth. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Beatty : Beulah M. and Gladys.
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In political matters Mr. Beatty has always given his support to the republican candidates, being wholly in sympathy with the platform of that party, but has never sought office or any public recognition of his abilities. He has been very active, however, in the Cascade Lodge, No. 127, A. F. & A. M., not only participating in most of the meetings but through the occupancy of many of the chairs directing the policy of the organization there. With his wife he belongs to the Eastern Star, No. 626, at Cascade, and like her is a consistent member of the Baptist church.
ERVIN E. REED.
Ervin E. Reed, one of the successful young lawyers of Monticello, was born in South Fork township, Delaware county, Iowa, June 15, 1873. His father, John S. Reed, was a farmer, who settled in that township in 1848, when it was first opened by the government for colonization. His mother, whose maiden name was Christiana McDonald, was also one of the early settlers of Iowa, having come to the state in 1854 and to Scotch Grove township two years later. The father was of Scotch-Irish descent and the mother of Scottish ancestry.
After the death of John S. Reed in 1887, his widow removed from the old homestead in Delaware county to Monticello, where Ervin E. Reed was sent to the public schools. He was graduated from the high school in 1891 and after teaching for a period in the rural schools of the county he matriculated in the Iowa State College of Agricultural and Mechanical Arts at Ames. From the scientific course of that institution he was graduated in November, 1895, and in 1898 he received his degree of LL. B. from the law department of Drake Uni- versity at Des Moines, having completed the course in that school.
While a student Mr. Reed pursued a systematic and thorough course in mili- tary science in connection with his regular collegiate work and in 1894 he was detailed to act as battalion adjutant of the First Regiment Iowa National Guard during its annual encampment. Immediately after the encampment he was ap- pointed to fill that position with the rank of first lieutenant, serving as such at the opening of the Spanish-American war. In April, 1898, he was ordered into the United States service with his regiment, which was rechristened the Forty-ninth Iowa Infantry Volunteers when it was mustered in. It was ordered to Jackson- ville, Florida, where a military camp had been established under the name of Camp Cuba Libre. There the Forty-ninth Iowa Infantry remained until October. when it moved to Savannah, Georgia. In December it was sent to Havana. Cuba, and became a part of the American Army of Occupation under Major General Fitzhugh Lee. When the regiment arrived at Camp Cuba Libre it was only partially equipped and the work of providing the new recruits with the necessary accouterments for active campaigning was delayed because of the confusion due to the lack of trained and competent men in the quartermaster's department. In August Lieutenant Reed was made quartermaster of his regi- ment and with the capacity for organization that has ever distinguished him he
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