USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 47
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Mr. Kohlscheen votes with the democracy and is one of the leading German residents of this section of the state. In spirit and interests, however, he is thoroughly American and most loyal to the institutions of his adopted country. Ile has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for here he has found and improved good business opportunities, and as the years have gone by has worked his way upward from a humble financial position to one of affluence. Such a record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do in a country where effort is not hampered by caste or class.
JOHN BOYD DINGMAN.
John Boyd Dingman, whose frank and cordial manner renders him popular with his fellow townsmen, is recognized as one of the good citizens of Garner township, his home being on seetion 8. He has now attained the venerable age of eighty years, his birth having occurred in County Dundas in Upper Canada on the 16th of October, 1827. his parents being Phillip and
J. B. DINGMAN.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILD N FOUNDATIONS.
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Barbara (Boyd) Dingman, the former a native of Schoharie county, New York, and the latter of Canada. The father was a farmer by occupation and thus provided for the support of his family, which numbered ten children, two daughters and eight sons.
When thirteen years of age John Boyd Dingman started out in business life on his own account, being first employed as a farm hand by the month. On coming to the United States he crossed the river at Detroit and made his way to Warsaw, Illinois, on the Mississippi river. He had united with the Mormon church in Canada and joined the colony of Mormons at Nauvoo, Il- linois. In 1847 he made an overland trip to Council Bluffs, which at the time of his arrival contained only two houses. It was then called Miller's Hollow and afterward named Kancsville prior to the time when the present name was assumed. All around was the wild unbroken prairie, dotted in June with the flowers of summer amidst the native prairie grasses, and covered during the winter seasons with a thick sheet of snow. The reclamation of this dis- trict for the purposes of improvement and civilization was the work of the future; but into the district came strong, resolute men who undertook the task that lay before them and the result is today seen in what is now one of the leading counties of this great commonwealth. Mr. Dingman worked at brick-moulding until 1854, when he bought one hundred and twenty-six and a half acres of land from the government. Upon the tract was a log cabin or two and a small patch had been broken by the Mormons, who had previously lived there. This farm has now been the home of Mr. Dingman for fifty-three years and upon the place there is still standing an old log house which he formerly occupied and which is one of the landmarks of the county-a mute witness of the changes which have occurred. All of the countryside was very wild at the time of his arrival. In fact, it was so remote from the older civilization of the east that there were still to be found a few elk and some deer, while prairie chickens and other wild game were very numerous. It was not a difficult thing therefore for the hunter to secure the materials for a meal by the use of his rifle. Mr. Dingman paid a dollar and a quarter per acre for his farm, which, however, has constantly increased in value until it is now an excellent property. He has sold part of- the original tract but still retains thirty-four acres, from which he derives a gratifying annual income. The Indians who were here in the early day gradually left for points farther west, but traces of their habitation are still seen in the implements which they used for warfare and for household pur- poses.
In 1848 Mr. Dingman was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Foy, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in Garner township. Their children were: Orson, who died in Utah; William, a resident of Alberta, Canada : and Susan Elizabeth, the wife of Clarence Mcclellan, of Council Bluffs. After losing his first wife Mr. Dingman wedded Martha Ann Ritter, who died on the old homestead farm. There were four children of this marriage: John, living in Missouri; Theodore, who makes his home on section 8, Gar- ner township; Lottie, the wife of William McDonald, of Meadow Grove, Nebraska; and Traverse, deceased.
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Mr. Dingman is a member of the Mormon church. In politics he is independent, nor has he ever been an office-seéker, but for two terms he has served as road supervisor. There are few people left in the county who were here at the time of his arrival and his reminiscences of the pioneer days are most interesting. He used to walk to St. Joseph, Missouri, to work, cov- ering a distance of one hundred and fifty miles in three and a half days. Four times he made this trip. His grandsons have letters in their possession which were written to their grandfather over fifty years ago, before the time of envelopes, when the paper was folded over and pasted down. The homes were largely log cabins in those days and the farmer did his work mostly by hand, the riding plow, the cultivator and the thresher being then un- known. Year after year Mr. Dingman has worked on and as time has passed he has gained many friends by his cordiality and good will to all with whom he has come in contact. He has now advanced far on life's jour- ney and receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one of his years.
OVIDE VIEN.
Ovide Vien, who is conducting a collection and real-estate agency in Council Bluffs, was born at St. Benoit in the province of Quebec, July 28, 1858. Ilis parents were Pierre and Magdalene (Groulx) Vien, natives of Quebec. The father spent his life in Canada and was a singer in a Catholic church, his last days being passed in Montreal. His widow resides at Sorel, Quebec, at the age of seventy-three years. In their family were twelve chil- dren, of whom eleven reached years of maturity.
Ovide Vien, who was the second in order of birth, remained a resident of his native town until about thirteen years of age, when he left home and went to Montreal. For about a year he worked at gardening near the city and for one summer was employed on the grain barges. He next accepted a clerkship in a grocery store in Montreal and continued elerking in that city for about five years, after which he entered the employ of a baker, taking charge of the yards, wagons and outside work. While in Montreal Mr. Vien was present on the 12th of July, 1877, at the shooting of Hackett in Victoria Square, and the mob in its wild frenzy made an impression upon him that he will never forget. It was in the same year-on the 2d of Septem- ber-that he publicly withdrew from the Roman Catholic faith and joined the Methodist church, a course which caused him to suffer considerable per- secution, but this step was characteristic of Mr. Vien, for he has never faltered in upholding his honest opinions and his position is never an equivocal one on any subject of importance.
On the 6th of January, 1879, Mr. Vien was married to Miss Mary J. Charters, a native of St. Jean Chrysostome, Quebec. After working for a time in the Green Brothers clothing store he spent about a year and a half in the employ of the Grand Trunk Railroad Company subsequent to his mar-
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riage and in 1881 removed to Springfield, Massachusetts. In that city he was employed in a factory where sewing machine needles were manufactured until the fall of the same year, when he returned to Montreal. He had determined to devote his life to the cause of the ministry and entered the French Institute at Montreal, connected with the McGill University, to pre- pare for pastoral work in connection with the Methodist church. Prior to his marriage he also spent one year as a student at Point Aux Trembles school near Montreal. In 1883 he joined the Methodist conference and was appointed first assistant pastor of the First French Methodist church of Montreal and also took charge of the French Institute in connection with his wife. In addition to his other duties he also engaged in teaching and used his leisure hours for study. Since becoming a man he has spent much time in reading and investigation, constantly broadening his knowledge. In 1884, after passing his examinations, he became ill from overwork and for three months was not able to do anything.
On the 15th of September, 1885, Mr. Vien again became a resident of Massachusetts, this time locating in Lowell and while there he was baptized in accordance with the rites of the Baptist church by the Rev. G. Aubin. In March, 1886, he left the east for Iowa, coming to Council Bluffs with his wife and two daughters. He arrived in this city with a capital of only sixteen dollars, and in order to provide for his family he accepted a job at washing the windows of a new house, which was his first work in this city. Ile also assisted a man in moving, but better opportunities soon came and he accepted a position as collector for E. H. Sheafe, with whom he continued until the following September, when he engaged in the collecting business on his own account. In the spring of 1887 he extended the scope of his activities by adding a chattel loan business, in which he continued until the 1st of January, 1893. On that date he entered upon the duties of the office of justice of the peace, wherein he served for eight consecutive years or for four terms. He was twice defeated for the office but when he had become the incumbent in that position his service was so acceptable and his decisions so fair and impartial that popular vote retained him in the position for eight years. In the spring of 1901 he again engaged in the collection business and at the same time established a real-estate agency. He has since operated along these lines and is well known in financial circles, while today his own name carries weight on commercial paper.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vien have been born five children, but they lost two sons in infancy. A daughter also died in infancy and another daughter at the age of eight years. Their surviving child is Mrs. Pearl R. Vien Hawkins, the wife of A. W. Hawkins of Council Bluffs. Mr. and Mrs. Vien have many friends in this city, where they have now resided for many years.
Mr. Vien became a naturalized American citizen September 20, 1890, and has ever been most loyal in his advocacy of those interests which per- tain to local advancement and national progress. He is identified with the Baptist church here and is a member of Council Bluffs lodge, No. 71, A. F. & A. M .; Park City lodge, No. 606, I. O. O. F .; and the Red Men; the Royal Highlanders ;_ and the Modern Woodmen of America, being connected with
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the last named for over twenty years. He is most loyal to the principles and purposes of these organizations and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit upon which they are founded. He was also state president for Iowa of the American Protective Association for four years and a member of the national advisory board from its organization until 1900. In business he has made a creditable record and while he has never attained wealth, he has yet gained a comfortable financial position and, moreover, has an unas -. sailable reputation for commercial integrity and honor. One of his salient characteristics has been his loyalty to any cause which he believes to be right, and neither fear nor favor can swerve him from a course which his conscience sanctions.
JOHN O'DONNELL.
John O'Donnell, now deceased, came to Council Bluffs by wagon from Michigan about fifty years ago and until within the last decade his life was closely associated with the industrial and business interests of the city. He progressed with the growth of this section of the state and at all times co-operated in any movement or measure for the publie good.
A native of Ireland, he was born in June, 1823. His parents remained residents of that country throughout their entire lives and the father learned and followed the blacksmith's trade, also engaging in farming to a consid- erable extent. The son was a pupil in the common schools in his boyhood and youth and when not busy with his text-books was associated with his father in the shop, being thus employed until he had mastered the trade. Having a sister living in Burlington, Iowa, he was induced to come to Amer- ica, and after bidding adieu to friends and native land sailed for the United States. Landing in New York city, he there remained for a short time, after which he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he secured a position in a boiler shop. He was thus employed for a few years and while at work there he lost his hearing, his deafness continuing throughout his remaining days.
It was while he was residing in Columbus, that Mr. O'Donnell was first married, Miss Marie Howard becoming his wife. She died in Council Bluffs and is survived by a daughter, Katherine, now the wife of Charles V. Parker, a resident of California. The elder child of the marriage, John, is now deceased.
From Columbus Mr. O'Donnell removed to Michigan, where he worked at his trade for a short time and then with his family started westward. making the journey to Council Bluffs by wagon. They resided for a short time at Iowa City and the husband and father there engaged in black- smithing and horseshoeing, after which they resumed their journey, travel- ing across the country after the primitive manner of the times. This was in the year 1857. On reaching his destination Mr. O'Donnell opened a black- smith shop, which he conducted for a few years, meeting with good success in his business. Leaving his wife and family in Council Bluffs, he afterward
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went to the west to look over the country, and while he was in Virginia City, Montana, his wife became ill and died. Ile then returned to Council Bluffs and once more took up blacksmithing. Herc he was married again in 1869, his second union being with Miss Ellen Sheedy, also a native of Ireland and a daughter of John Sheedy, who came to the United States at an early age. He first settled at Cape Ann, Massachusetts, where he resided for several years, but his sons had come to the west and on that account Mr. Sheedy made his way to Iowa, settling near Lyons, upon a farm, which his sons had pur- chased for him. There he turned his attention to general agricultural pur- suits but was soon afterward taken ill and died nine months after his arrival. Ilis wife survived him and passed away in Council Bluffs. Unto the second marriage of Mr. O'Donnell there were born three children: Margaret M., who is living with her mother and is a stenographer in Council Bluffs; Wil- liam, who died August 6, 1906, at the age of thirty years; and Mary, who resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she is editor of the woman's section of the North American.
Mr. O'Donnell continued to engage in blacksmithing and wagonmaking and secured a liberal patronage. He established shops in various parts of the city, employing a number of workmen, and he also engaged in buying and selling horses, which he found could be conducted profitably. At length, on account of failing health, he determined to retire, and in 1889 sold out all of his business interests. He then lived retired for ten years, spending his last decade in the enjoyment of a rest which he had truly carned and richly merited. He died here, April 6, 1899, to the deep regret of many friends who esteemed him as a man of genuine personal worth. His friends desired him to become a candidate for city offices on various occasions but he always refused, giving, however, a steadfast support to the democracy. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in St. Francis Catholic church, of which Mrs. O'Donnell is still a communicant. Mr. O'Donnell was a friend to every pioneer of Council Bluffs. In fact he was one of the best known residents of the city, living here at a time when a man was not rated by money but by real character. All who knew him esteemed him, and his death was deeply deplored by many with whom he had been associated for long years. Mrs. O'Donnell owns a fine residence at No. 323 Glen avenue, where she and her daughter reside. She also has other valuable property here, including an attractive residence on Park avenue, from which she derives a good rental.
WILLIAM FLETCHER SAPP.
William Fletcher Sapp, city clerk of Council Bluffs, clerk of the superior court and clerk of the board of police and fire commissioners, has made an excellent record for capability and fidelity in public office. Virtually all of his life has been spent in this city, whither he came with his parents in his childhood days. He was born in Mount Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, March
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13, 1858, a son of Colonel William Fletcher Sapp, one of the most dis- tinguished citizens of Council Bluffs, now deceased, of whom extensive men- tion is made on another page of this volume.
The removal of the family to Omaha, Nebraska, occurred during the early childhood of the subject of this review, and after the Civil war, in which the father served, the family came to Council Bluffs. In the schools of this city the son obtained his early education, which was supplemented by study at Tabor College in Tabor, Iowa, at Columbia University, in Wash- ington, D. C., and in Phillips Academy, at AAndover, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated in June, 1879. He then spent several years in Wash- ington, D. C., with his father, who for several years was a member of congress, and in 1881 he returned to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where for years he was in the office of his father, who was engaged in the practice of law, and later he was engaged in the real-estate and fire insurance business.
Mr. Sapp has been for some years well known in republican cireles as a leading member of the party and in 1906 was its candidate for mayor. The republican ticket met a partial defeat at the polls that year but soon afterward Mr. Sapp was appointed to his present office by the city council, and in the discharge of his duties has displayed the executive force, keen discrimination and devotion to duty which make him one of the trustworthy and honored officials of Council Bluffs. He has fraternal relations with the Elks, Iloo-Hoo and Eagles, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church.
Mr. Sapp was married July 19, 1888, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Miss Lucy Luella Loomis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Loomis. Her father was then prominently engaged in the implement business at Council Bluffs, being managing partner of the firm of David Bradley & Company. IIe is now a resident of Los Angeles, California.
G. D. McCLAASKEY.
G. D. MeClaskey is a partner in the Avoca Printing Company, publishers of the Avoca Tribune, and throughout the greater part of his life has been connected with the printing business. He is perhaps even more widely known in connection with poultry interests and has conducted a number of poultry exhibits throughout the great middle west.
A native of Illinois, Mr. MeClaskey was born in Plainfield, Will county, November 23, 1877, a son of Mr. and Mrs. H. B. MeClaskey, who came to Avoca at the same time as their son-July 1. 1907. G. D. MeClaskey was nine years of age when he removed with his parents from his birthplace to Nebraska. Ile attended the public schools of that state and during the periods of vacation worked on the farm or with his father at the carpenter's trade. He had a great fondness for fine stock and poultry, and at the age of fifteen years was devoting all his time out of school to his stock. On the 14th of May, 1894, he entered upon an apprenticeship to the
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printer's trade in the office of the Papillion (Nebraska) Times and thoroughly acquainted himself with the trade and the newspaper business. While still in his teens he held a position in one of the big printing establishments in Omaha, Nebraska, and spent one year on the Auburn (Nebraska) Post. After a few years he became part owner and manager of the Papillion Times, in the office of which he served his apprenticeship, and all the time he con- tinued his work with his live-stoek interests, in which he has operated to the present time.
On the 29th of December, 1904, Mr. MeClaskey sold his newspaper inter- ests at Papillion and removed to Clay Center, Nebraska, where he spent a year as editor of the Poultry Gazette, a monthly poultry magazine. On the 1st of January, 1906, he accepted a position in the office of the Sure Hatch Incubator Company, then at Clay Center, as correspondent, and when the plant was removed to Fremont, Nebraska, July 1, 1906, he was retained as office manager, which position he filled until the following December, when there was a change of management and he accepted the position of adver- tising manager of the Fremont Daily Herald.
Having again become associated with newspaper work, Mr. McClaskey had a desire to again engage in business for himself and soon began looking about for a favorable location. He decided on Avoca, Iowa, and with Wil- liam Stull, formed the Avoca Printing Company, purchased the Avoca Print- ing plant and business, taking possession July 1, 1907. He has always been successful in newspaper work, is a good printer and is thoroughly competent and conversant with every department of the business, keeping in touch with the most progressive methods. In his job printing department he makes a specialty of live-stock and poultry printing. Under his able management the Tribune has grown since he assumed control and is now a newspaper that would be a eredit to any town. After two months it was necessary to employ another man to take care of the newspaper business and T. B. Hutch- inson, a veteran newspaper man of Fremont, Nebraska, was secured as asso- ciate editor, Mr. McClaskey's time being now entirely devoted to the manage- ment of the business. He is also well known as a poultry judge and manages a number of exhibits every season in the territory between Chicago and Denver. He has few if any equals in this line or in a knowledge of fine poultry, and his opinions are largely received as authority on the subjeet.
CLAIR J. STILWELL.
Well controlled business interests brought to Clair J. Stilwell a gratifying competence and he is now living retired in one of Council Bluffs' most beau- tiful homes, at No. 444 Glen avenue, deriving a goodly income from the judicious investments which he has made in real estate. He was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, February 2, 1854. His father was E. S. Stilwell, a native of Akron, Ohio, born June 27, 1828. For many years he was a farmer and also carried on contracting and building for a long period. On the 23d of
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
March, 1853, he wedded Miss Eliza Sumner, who was born in Akron, Ohio, March 1, 1833, and they now reside in that city, to which they removed from Oshkosh many years ago.
Clair J. Stilwell was a student in the common schools of Ohio and Wis- consin, and when he put aside his text-books he began learning the cigar- maker's trade. He was married to Miss Helen Nichols, a daughter of Thomas and Hannah Nichols, on the 3d of February, 1879, the wedding being cele- brated in Oshkosh. The marriage of her parents took place in the same city, November 8, 1855, Mrs. Nichols bearing the maiden name of Hannah Remington. They now reside upon a farm near Oshkosh, where Mr. Nichols has for some years successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits.
Mr. and Mrs. Stilwell arrived in Council Bluffs on the 17th of March, 1880, and for a few months he worked at the trade of cigar-making. Dur- ing that time he sold some property in Akron for five hundred dollars and this sum he invested in a farm in Lewis township, four miles east of the city. He then turned his attention to the cultivation of the soil and also established a dairy, which he conducted for ten years, retailing milk during the first three years and then conducting a wholesale business during the remainder of the time. Ilis farm was appropriately named Meadow Brook and upon it he resided for twenty-four years, during which period he engaged in the business of raising fine horses and cattle. He was quite successful in this enterprise and with a gratifying competence won from his labors he retired to private life in July, 1904, and took up his abode in Council Bluffs. Here he built a home at No. 444 Glen avenue, where he and his estimable wife now reside. The doors of this dwelling ever stand hospitably open for the reception of their many friends and the good cheer which always abounds there is greatly enjoyed by their many acquaintances.
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