History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 79

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1280


USA > Iowa > Scott County > History of Scott County, Iowa > Part 79


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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II. P. Lewis, principal of the Davenport High School, is a na- tive of Claremont, N. HI., born July 28, 1849. of George G. Lewis and Adeline. nee Labaree, the former a native of New Hampshire, and she of Vermont. The subject of this memoir assisted on his father's farm and attended the district schools until his 21st year, when he entered Dartmouth College, and graduated from that in- stitution in June, 1874. He spent two years in Derry, N. H., as principal of the Pinkerton Academy, then came West, and located in Davenport in 1876. Previous to receiving his present appoint- ment, he was principal of School No. 2, for two years. He has four assistants, and the course is very thorough, consisting of the studies of Latin, Greek, mental and moral philosophy, chemistry, astronomy, zoology, botany, ghysiology, algebra, geometry, trip- onometry, political economy, english litrature, rhetoric and physi- cal geography. The enrollment is 240 pupils, and the average attendance 200. They have a classical course of four years, and an English course of three years. Mr. Lewis is one of our representative men, and takes an interest in everything pertaining to the educa- tional advancement of Davenport


D. R. Lillibridge, proprietor and principal of the Bryant & Stratton Business College, northwest corner Brady and Second streets. was born in Wellington, Conn., Feb. 9, 1839. His parents were Amos and Mary (Piccan) Lillibridge, natives of Connecticut. They were members of the Baptist church and had a family of six children. D. R., was the third son. He attended school and worked on his father's farm until 16, when he began teaching country schools, and learned the machinist's trade; when 19 he finished the machinist's trade; he then had charge of Hadly Co. 's machine shops at Holyoke, Mass., one year. In July, 1861, enlisted in the 11th Rhode Island Reg .. Co. B, Inf., for nine months ; he then went to Providence, R. I., and attended the business college six months; has taught in the Bryant & Stratton schools ever since. In 1873 he located in Davenport, Iowa, and bought the business college here, which he still owns. He married Miss Marie D. Walters, Dec. 24, 1867; her parents were William and Ann I. (Lamphier) Walters. Mr. and Mrs. Lillibridge are members of the Episcopal church, and have had four children, two living, viz. :


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Nannie and May Lillibridge. Mr. Lillibridge employs 11 teachers in the college, and teaches bookkeeping, commercial arithmetic, commercial law, business and ornamental penmanship, phonography, telegraphy, and English branches. Mr. Lillebridge is a Mason and a member of Davenport Lodge, No. 37, Iowa Legion of Honor, and the V. A. S. Fraternity.


Otis R. Lippitt, was born in Noble Co., Ohio, Oct. 11, 1847. He was the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Dunbar) Lippitt. His tatlıer was born in Ohio, and mother in Massachusetts. His father died Oct. 12, 1853, in Noble Co., Ohio, and in May, 1856, his mother again married, Joseph Andrews being her second husband. In the fall of 1858, when Otis was 11 years old, they moved to Keokuk Co., Iowa, and resided on a farm. In June, 1859, Otis went to Rhode Island, and remained until October, when he returned home and remained until May, 1862. He went back to Rhode Island, remaining till the fall of 1863, when he returned to Iowa. In April, 1864, he went to Denmark to attend school. In June, while he was still at school, his mother died, and his stepfather sold out and went back to Ohio. Otis R. went back to Denmark and attended school another year. He came to Davenport in the fall of 1865, and clerked for Sickels & Preston, in the hardware business, and continued to elerk for them till June, 1866. Was in Keokuk county during the summer, and in the fall of 1866 came to Davenport and attended Griswold College one year. After which he went to Keokuk County and served as deputy clerk for one year. Then came to Davenport and attended Griswold College a year and a half. In the summer of 1869 went to Provi- dence, R. I. He was married in October, 1870, to Adella C. Conaro. at Denmark, Iowa, She was a daughter of James and Emily (Montgomery) Conaro, who now reside in Lee Co., Iowa. Mr. Lippitt spent part of the winter in Denmark and worked on his farm during the following summer. In the fall of 1871 went to work for Griggs, Watson & Day, and stayed with them over a year. Moved to Sigourney in 1873, and in August of the same year went to Burlington as bookkeeper for Lange & Van Meter, wholesale music house, and returned to Davenport in 1876. He then spent one year as commercial traveler for Egbert, Fiddler & Chambers. He was appointed deputy elerk in 1879, which position he still holds. He is the father of five children, four of whom are now living, three boys and one girl, his danghter dying in 1873. Mr. Lippitt is a Republican in politics.


Auguste N. Littig is a native of Spichren, France, and was born on the 24th of November, 1818. His parents, Peter and Mary (Blaser) Littig, were born in the same place, the former in 1794. He died in Davenport in 1881. She died in New Orleans in 1836. In 1836 the subject of this memoir came to the United States, and landed in New Orleans, where he remained one year, then went to Roek Island, Ili. Having learned the cabinet maker's trade in Paris, France, where he was reared, he followed his trade and


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worked at the brewery business in Rock Island until 1854, when he removed to Comanche, Iowa, and engaged in the brewery and milling business there until 1866, and at that time came to Daven- port. From 1866 to 1877 he conducted a brewery on the corner of Fifth and Iowa streets, which is now owned by J. Lage & Co., since that time has lived a retired life. Ile was married June 14, 1840. to Mary E. Rilling, who was born in Prussia, Dec. IS, 1822. Her father died in Iowa in 1838; her mother in Rock Isl- and County, in March, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Littig have had 12 children, nine living-John A., now residing in New Mexico; Der- anstan M .. resides in Illinois: Caroline, now Mrs. Phillip Triech- ler: Matilda, married John L. Evers; Amanda, married Detrick Metzger; Jennette, now Mrs. Andrew Littig; Fannie, Margaret, and Henriette. In politics Mr. Littig is a Democrat.


Jens Lorenzen, wholesale and retail dealer in erockery, 223 West Third street, was born in Schleswig, Germany, April 6, 1833. ITis father was Theodore Lorenzen, a native also of that country. The subject of this memoir came to the United States and located in Chicago. Ill., in 1854. He clerked there until 1856, when he came to Davenport. In 1857 he embarked in the retail business, on a small capital; his trade has increased until he does an annual business of $100,000. He employs four men as commercial travel- ers and nine in the house. He buys goods in England, France, and Germany. Buys his glassware from the factories in America. He has been director of the Citizens National and German Savings Banks, since their organization. Has been city school treasurer for the past eight years.


Phillip J. Louer, grocer, 1302 Harrison street, was born in Landerbauch, Bavaria, Germany, June 28, 1828. His father, Peter Louer, came with his family to the United States when our subjeet was four years old. Peter Louer died of yellow fever in New Orleans. in the winter of 1832 : his wife died in St. Louis soon after. Phillip was there adopted by a family of Kentneky people. with whom he lived until he was 18 years old. He attended school one and a half years in St. Louis, then went the overland route with mule teams to California, with the first large party that went from that county. There were 140 men, 50 of whom died with cholera on the way there. The journey occupied 151 days, or five months; could now be made in five days. After a sojourn of 11 months in California, the party returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama. When about half way across the isthmus two of the party, one an Iowa man, the other, Mr. Ford, of Peoria, lagged behind the rest, and were attacked by robbers. The man from Iowa had one thumb ent off, and was robbed of $800. At the next stopping place a subscription was taken up for them, each man giving $60 to help pay the unfortunate men's way home. Mr. Louer returned to St. Louis where he worked at the brick-layer's trade until 1852, when he cime to Davenport. He was married in Galena, Ill., to Mrs. Agnes A. Gildac, Aug. 10, 1852. She was a daughter of John


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


and Eliza ( Kaufman ) Taylor, and was born near Syracuse, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Louer resided in this city two years after their mar- riage, then removed to Le Clairc. where they lived three years; thence to a farm nine miles from Davenport. In 1864 Mr. Loner disposed of his farm and came to this city, and bought the property where he has his present grocery store. He carries a full stock of staple and fancy groceries. Mrs. Louer is a member of the Catholic Church.


Robert Loury's great - grandfather, Col. Alexander Loury, was born in the North of Ireland, in December, 1723, and came to America with his father, Lazarus Loury, in the year 1729, and settled in Donegal Township, Lancaster Co., Penn. Col. Alex- ander Loury was elected a member of the Legislature, in 1775, and of the Senate in 1776. Was elected a member of the convention that formed the first constitution of Pennsylvania ; and commanded the Lancaster County militia in the battle of Brandywine. Ilis grandfather, Lazarus Lonry, was born in Donegal Township, Lan- caster Co., Penn., and moved to Frankstown Township, Blair Co., Penn., about 1780, when he purchased some 700 acres of land between Frankstown and Hollidaysburg. He died in 1813, leaving 11 children, fonr sons and seven daughters. The names of the boys were: Alexander, John Fleming, Lazarus and Robert. His father, Alexander Loury, was born in Donegal Township, Lancaster Co., Penn., on the 22d day of December, 1786. He married Miss Margretta Bouslough, in 1806. He died on the 4th day of August, 1854, at Yellow Springs, Blair Co., Penn. His mother was born near IIagerstown, Md., on the 3d day of November, 17S5. She died at Yellow Springs, in March, 1852. Robert Loury was born on the 2d day of November, 1816, near Hollidaysburg, Blair Co., Penn. Received a common-school education. Married Miss Eliza- beth Hellen McGhec, at Dayton, Ohio, on the 4th day of October, 1847. In August, 1848, he was appointed by Gov. William F., Johnston, of Pennsylvania, aide-de-camp to the governor, with the rank of licutenant-colonel in the militia, of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. On the 11th day of May, 1853, he moved with his family to Davenport, Iowa. In April, 1864, hic was elected mavor of Davenport, having received 946 majority. Nov. S, 1864, he was elected to the State Senate of Iowa. Was elected a delegate to the National Republican Convention that assembled in Chicago, May 20, 1868, and nominated General Grant for President and Schuyler Colfax, for Vice-President. At the October clection. 1869, he was again elected to the Senate of Iowa, from Scott County. At the session of the Senate in January, 1872, was elected president pro tem. of the Senate, was chairman of the Committee on Rail- roads. In October, 1871, was appointed by President Grant, United States centennial commissioner for the State of fowa. The United States Centennial Commission met at Independance Hall, Philadelphia. At their first meeting, on the 4th day of March, 1872, he was elected vice president of the commission. The com-


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mission was in executive session for some years. He never missed a session of the commission.


Morton L. Marks, of the firm of Van Pattan & Marks, whole- sale grocers, 119, 121 and 123 East Second street, was born in Onon- daga, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Oct. 4, 1839, and is a son of Enoch and Margaret (Welton) Marks, natives of Hartford, Conn. The former was superintendent of the Onondaga Salt Springs, in the years 1847 and '48. They are now residents of Oak Park, Ill. Morton L. attended and taught a school in Onondaga County, until he was 21 years old. Ile studied law in the village of Cammilus. N. Y., six months, then in July. 1861, enlisted in the 122d New York Inf. Vols., Co. II, as a private. LIe was elected by this company as first lieutenant, and served one year: he was then appointed captain of Co. B, the same regiment, and remained with them until the close of the war. While in the service he participated in all the various engagements of his regiment. Among them were the battles of Antietam, two battles of Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness. Gold llarbor, Petersburg, then drove Gen. Early ont of Washington, and went with Sheridan up the Shenandoah Valley and engaged in the battles of Winehester and Mine Run. After- war went to Petersburg and was in the battle which resulted in the surrender of Richmond. He was mustered out at Washington, D. C. In March, 1866, he came to Davenport, where he remained a short time. He traveled over Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, and the western part of Iowa, where he bought cattle one year. In March. 1867, returned to Davenport and formed a partnership with J. P. Van Pattan, in the grocery business, which still continues. Mr. Marks was married Jan. 20, 1869, to Miss Hellen A. Sanders, of Danbury, Conn. Her father, J. P. Sanders, is an attorney and Past Grand Sire in I. O. O. F., and resides at Yonkers, N. Y. His wife, Elvina Marks, nee Ferguson, is a native of New York. Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Marks have had four children-Louis M., Charles R., Margaret A. and James S., who died in November, 1877. Mr. Marks is a member of A. O. U. W., Lodge No. 17. and V. A. S., and lowa L. of HI. He has held the office of alder- man of the Fourth Ward two years and in politics is a Republican.


Hiram C. Marsh, business manager of the Davenport Gazette, has been a member of the Gazette company, since 1871-'72; a portion of the time as superintendent of the mechanical depart- ment and since as business manager. He is a native of Tompkins Co., N. Y., born in 1836. Ile learned the printer's trade, chiefly at Saratoga Springs, where he lived eight years. In 186t he went to Buffalo; was there during the war. In 1866 he returned to Tompkins County and published the Groton Journal till 1872, when he came West and became one of the firm, publishing the Davenport Gazette. Hle has been identified with the printing business since he was 13 years of age. Ile received his edneation in a New York academy. He was married near Buffalo, N. Y., in 1859. to Sarah Bedell. a native of Vermont. They have one son and one daughter, grown to maturity.


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


John L. Mason, proprietor of the carriage works, 119 and 121 E. Fourth st., established this factory in partnership with Mr. Evens, in February, 1868. Since October, 1881, Mr. Mason has been sole owner. IIe occupies two brick buildings, one 30x80, three stories high, with an elevator, and one 20x150, and two stories in height. Also have warerooms under the Kimball House. He manufactures a full line of fine carriages, phaetons, buggies. and makes a specialty of fine wagons. The subject of this memoir was born in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, July 14, 1844. and was a son of Samuel and Elizabeth Mason, nee Sweet, natives of England. John L. located in Davenport in January, 1866, where he has since resided. He was married Sept. 26, 1866, to Maria M. Colman, of Portsmonth, England. They have had four children -Charles F., Webster L, Marian E. and Wesley R., who died in infancy. Mr. Mason is a member of A. O. U. W., Lodge No. 17. and in politics is a Republican.


Augustus F. Must was born in Brunswick, Germany, Oct. 1, 1819. His parents were Erhardt Mast and Caroline. nee Rust, both Germans. They emigrated to America in 1833, going first to Wheeling, West Virginia, where our subject was employed on the river boats until 1849. In that year he removed to Davenport. In 1849 he engaged in the general merchandise business, which he followed until 1853, when he was appointed postmaster of Davenport under President Pierce, and was reappointed by Buchanan in 1857. At the close of his second term, in 1861. he was elected to the office of county recorder and treasurer, and served two years. He engaged in 1864 with L. B. Meyer, in the cigar and tobacco business, and remained with him 13 years. In 1879 he commenced business for himself, opening a cigar and tobacco store at 222 Brady St., where he has been very successful. Mr. Mast was married in 1846, to Miss Johanna Witt, a native of Germany. They have eight children, as follows: Amelia, now married and living in Leadville; Ferdinand, bookkeeper; Chas. Albert, teller and assistant cashier of the Davenport National Bank; Frank P., with Beidebecke & Miller; Julia, who resides with her parents; Willie H., bookkeeper in the land department, Rock Island Railroad; Clarence, printer; and Lee B., in the tele- graph office. Mr. Mast has been a life-long Democrat.


Henry II. Mutlock, manager of the Western Telephone Com- pany, corner of Second and Brady streets, was born near Charles- ton, N. C., Ang. 30, 1840, and was a son of George W. and Mary A. (Spencer) Matlock, of Pennsylvania. Henry attended school until he was 18 years old, when he learned telegraphing, and be- came chief operator of 'the U. S. Telegraph Company in 1864, at Chicago, Ill. In 1865 he came to Davenport as manager of the Western Telegraph Company, and held that position until July 1, 1881, when he resigned to take his present position. In Novem- ber, 1881, he was appointed assistant general superintendent for the Western Telephone Co., of the Iowa division, a position he still


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Hannah Marker.


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retains. He was married to Miss Mary R. Kelly at South Bend, Ind .. Dec. 4. 1867. She was born in Burlington, N. J., of William and Eliza Kelly. Mr. and Mrs. Matlock have one child, Robert C. Mr. Matlock is a Mason and a member of Trinity Lodge, No. 208, and the Davenport Consistory, Scottish Rite. No. 3. The Telephone Company of Davenport have 253 instruments in nse. This system includes Rock Island, Moline and Milan, and for the four towns use 500 instruments. Mr. Matlock organized this telephone sys- tem in August, 1979, commencing with 40 stations.


P. J. McBride, grocer. 222 East Third street, Davenport, was born in Connty Fermaugh, Ireland, March 17, 1854, and was a son of John and Margaret (Judge) MeBride, of Ireland. The former is a carpenter and resides in Davenport. The latter died in August, 1878. The subject of this sketch emigrated to America with his brother Peter when he was 12 years old, and came at once to Dav- enport and joined his parents, who had been here since 1856. He attended school two years. spent one year at the carpenter's trade, then accepted a situation in the grocery store of Mr. Ed. Grace, at- tending night school. He remained in this store some 13 years. In 1878 he established his present business at 222 East Third street, where he does a good business and carries a fulland complete stoek of goods. He was married March 31, 1879, to Miss Aggie Quinn, daughter of R. S. and Johanna (Lanndrigan) Quinn, natives of Ire- land, and early settlers of Scott County. Mr. and Mrs. McBride have had two children-Agatha J. and Maggie, who died Ang. 15, 1ss1. In politics Mr. MeBride is a Democrat, and cast his vote for Tilden.


-James K. Mc Cosh, son of Robert McCosh, was born in Pittsburg, Pa .. in April. 1837. He learned the marble-eutter's trade when quite young, and has followed it since. In 1860 he located in Day- enport, Ia., and embarked in the marble business with a small cap- ital, which has been increased until it is now estimated by the thousands. He was married in 1862 to Ann E. Phillips. They have had six children. five living-Margaret. Mary. Everett, Lillie and a girl unnamed. Mr. MeCosh was alderman two years and is a mem- ber of the Legion of Honor.


Miss Jennie McCowen. M. D .. has been identified with the regular profession in Davenport since July, 1880. She is a native of War- ren Co., Ohio, and was born June 15, 1845. Her parents were Dr. John and Maria MeCowen, of Ohio. Her father was of Seotch Presbyterian ancestry, and her mother of Quaker origin. Miss MeCowen was educated as a teacher, in the Southwestern Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, and taught school 12 years, beginning at 16 years of age. She had an innate love for the medical profes- sion, and having access to her father's library, read medicine from her childhood, and pursued the study, notwithstanding much opposition. In 1872 she discontinued teaching and began special preparation for entering the profession; in 1873 entered the medical department of the Iowa State University, and after taking the full


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.


three years' course, graduated with the degree of M. D., carrying off the first prize for her thesis. She immediately was offered the position of assistant physician at the State Hospital for the Insane at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, which was accepted, and the duties im- mediately entered upon. She filled that position three years. Upon retiring from the institution she spent the intervening time in re- cuperation and travel, opening an office in Davenport in July, 1880. Her success has far exceeded her anticipations. She has a fine practice in Davenport, Rock Island, and Moline. She is secretary of the Scott County Medical Society; is a member of the Social Science Association of Illinois, and the National Association for the Advancement of Women, and the National Association to Pre- vent Insanity. Her parents are both deceased.


Mrs. Dr. McGinsly, proprietress of the Turkish and Vapor Bath Parlors, at 501, 503 and 505 Brady. These parlors were first opened in 1874. In January, 1881, Mrs. Dr. McGinsly purchased them, and she has given them a thorough overhauling and greatly improved them by adding the very latest and best baths, including the Turkish, electric, sulphur, sea salt, hemlock. eucaleptis, and the plain vapor baths. This establishment has 18 nicely furnished rooms, with an apartment exclusively for ladies. These baths are most valuable, and this is the only com- plete establishment of this kind west of Chicago. Mrs. Dr. MeGinsly was born in Pennsylvania: she was a daughter of Dr. J. C. McDonald and Mary (Fultz) MeDonald. Mrs. Dr. MeGinsly began the study of medicine in 1865, and graduated from the Boston Medical University in 1869, where she also studied the magnetic and botanical branches. She first practiced 18 months at Sandwich Islands; has since praetieed in New York City, Pitts- burg, Pa., and St. Louis, Mo., from where she removed to Daven- port. Ifer experience as a physician has gained for her the confidence of all, and her bath parlors are one of the attractions of the city. Mrs. Dr. McGinsly has in addition to her bath parlors her house for boarding patients at 513 Brady St .. where she treats all chronic diseases, making a specialty of kidney diseases, rheumatism and neuralgia.


Gilbert McKown, deceased, was born in Berkeley Co., Va., May 3, 1787. of Scotch-Irish descent. Here he was educated and lived until 21 years old. He then came into possession of his father's estate, and went to Pittsburg, Pa., and opened a dry- goods store, in which business he remained 25 years. In 1835 he removed to Cincinnati, where he was employed in the wholesale house of Griffin & Lucky. Five years later he removed to Daven- port and started a general merchandise store in a small frame building, where the St. James Hotel now stands. Afterward he moved to the corner of Front and Brady streets, where he failed in business. He died Oct. 14., 1861, in the 74th year of his age. Mr. Mckown was twice married, each time in Pittsburg. His first wife was Esther Bracken, by whom he had three children-


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Mary Jane. Joseph G. and Gilbert B., all living. Three years after his wife's death he married Ann Marie Skelton, of Phila- delphia, who is still living, at the advanced age of 80 years. The result of this union was 13 children, only two of whom are now living-David P. and Hannah P., now Mrs. Dalzell. Mr. Mckown was a member of the Presbyterian church, and polit- ically a Democrat, and a strong supporter of the Union during the Rebellion.


Parker W. McManus, member of the State Legislature of Iowa, was born in Newark, Delaware, June 21, 1842. His father, James McManus. was born at the same place, and married March 10, 1831, on Long Island, to Sarah Whittlesey, a native of Mystic, Conn .. her grandfather having been one of the original proprietors of the town. They were the parents of three sons and four daughters. Mr. MeManus, Sr .. was a stone-cutter and stone-mason; he built the principal stone-works on Fort Hamilton, Long Island. He was a heavy railroad contractor in the East. Ile came to the West in 1843. brought his family out in 1844, and on March 10 arrived in Davenport. Upon locating here he turned his attention to farming and bought the farm where Mr. Parker McManus now resides. lle was engaged in the mercantile business some time, which he closed out in 1857 and retired from active business life, having previously accumulated an estate of from $50,000 to $75,000. He was elected a member of the first State Legislature of Iowa, and obtained the charter for lowa College, of which he was one of the founders, one of its first trustees, and its first treasurer, and was a trustee at the time of his death, in 1879. The nomination and election came to him un- sought. The subject of this sketch was educated in Iowa College, and spent two years at Amherst College. Mass. IIe enlisted in the army in October. 1861; at the age of 19 he was elected first lieutenant of Co. B. 27th Mass. Inf .. and at the battle of Roanoke Island he commanded the company. He was adjutant of the regiment when captured on May 16. 1864, at the battle of Fort Darling, or Drury's Bluff: he was at once incarcerated in Libby prison: was subsequently moved from one prison to another. as was deemed necessary by the rebels, and on Nov. 29 he escaped from Columbia, S. C., and in company with two comrades traveled 200 miles, consuming 17 days, reaching our gunboat at Wenyaw Bay on Dec. 15. He had been commissioned captain, June 4. 1864. Having served five months more than his term of enlist- ment. he was mustered out of service Feb. 11, 1865, and returned to Davenport. After taking a course in Pittsburg Commercial College, he spent a season farming. In 1867 he went out on the plains and operated with his uncle, William McManus, who was a contractor on the Union Pacific R. R. In 1879 he returned to this city. and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has always been a pronounced Republican, but based his action upon principle, and is not a radical partisan. In the




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