USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa > Part 61
USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa > Part 61
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Cooley has profound respect for the Bible, is familiar with its teachings, and has aimed to live a blameless life. but has no church connections. He, like his sons, is a student. He loves the prac- tice of law, much better than politics, and still pursues its study with the relish and eagerness of his younger days. Through his success he has obtained a competency, and has one of the most elegant and costly residences in Decorah. Judge Cooley was mar- ried on the 18th of March, 1856, to Miss Jane M. Rhodes, of Dubuque, a lady of very fine talent as an amateur artist in oil colors. They have two sons, both of whom are graduates of the literary department of the Michigan University. Charles M., the · elder, subsequent to graduating, studied law with his father; was admitted in September, 1879, and was a member of the firni of Cooley, Fannon & Akers until 1882, when. on account of his health, he gave up practice, and is now engaged in stock farming in Da- kota. He was married in Angust, 1880, to Miss Alice Woodruff, daughter of Rev. H. B. Woodruff. Roger W., the younger, is now reading law with W. E. Akers, Esq.
W. F. Coleman, M. D., a pioneer physician and dentist of De- corah, was bornin Vermont in 1625. At the age of 18 he removed to Illinois, and served as clerk in mercantile pursuits until 1847. He then entered the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, and graduated in 1850. Dr. Coleman then located at MeHenry, Ill., and engaged in the practice of medicine and dentistry, at the same time having an interest with his brother in a general mer- cantile business. In 1857 Dr. Coleman located at Decorah, and in 1862 received a commission as assisting surgeon in the 17th Io. Inf., in which position he served until the spring of 1864, when he resigned on account of physical disability. Dr. Coleman then returned to Decorah, and as soon as his health permitted, resumed the duties of his profession, and has since continued the same, during which time he has been engaged in the drug business for about five years. Dr. Coleman was the first mayor of Decorah, having previously been president of the town; has also been city treasurer, and served two years as county superintendent. He is U. S. examining surgeon, and for sixteen years has been a physician on the board commissioners of in- sanity. Dr. Coleman was married in 1848 to Miss Jane E. Grout, a native of Canada West. They have eight children living: J. H., Viola A., (now Mrs. W. R. Toye), Frank M., A. L., Herbert D., Willard F., Louis and Adelbert.
L. L. Cadwell, conductor, is a native of the Empire State, born at Binghamton, Brown Co., in 1838, his parents being Nathan and Eliza Cadwell, with whom he removed to Fox Lake. Wis. Mr. Cadwell iu 1859, married Miss Anna Johnson, of North Adams, Mass. In 1862 he accompanied his wife east. her health being impaired, and in the same year enlisted in Co. B, 2d N. Y. Cav. This company formed a part of the Gulf Department, and
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participated in Gen. Banks' expedition up the Red river. Mr. Cadwell remained in the service until Dec., 1865, when he was mustered out as First Lieut. He then entered the employ of the C., M. & St. P. R. R., and still continues with the same. He has been a resident of Winneshiek Co. since 1867, and of Decorah since 1875. In 1876 Mr. Cadwell built the Decorah Green House, which, under the supervision of his wife, has become the leading green house for a large section of country around Decorah. Mr. Cadwell is a gentleman who is highly esteemed wherever known, and his home is one of the best in Decorah. He has one son, Herbert H.
J. L. Cameron. county surveyor, is a native of Scotland, born in 1832. In 1835 the family emigrated to the United States and lived in western New York until 1844, then in Canada until 1852, when they removed to Wisconsin, from which state they came to Iowa and settled in Winneshiek County in 1859. The subject of this sketch was taught the art of surveying and civil engineering by his father, who was a graduate of Aberdeen University, of Scotland, and has therefore thus far in life made it his principal business. Mr. Cameron has been twice married: In 1860 to Miss C. W. Worth, who died in 1873, leaving five children, four of whom are now living. In 1878 to Mrs. M. E. Johnson, M. D., by which marriage he has one child.
A. C. Chase, firm of Chase & Pinkham, stone sawing, etc .; was born in Vermont in 1852, and in 1858 with his parents, Charles and Savina Chase, came to Iowa and settled at Decorah. His early life was spent working in a flouring mill. In 1874 he went to Hamlin County, Dakota, and now owns property at that place. His present business was established in March, 1882, and bids fair to become a leading enterprise of Decorah.
C. H. Craig, editor and publisher of the Decorah Pantagraph, was born at Albany, New York, November 20, 1856. He com- menced work at the printer's trade in the Albany Evening Jour- nal office in January, 1870. In 1878 he took Horace Greeley's advice and went to Sioux Falls, Dakota, where he was engaged on different papers until the spring of 1882. He then came to De- corah, purchased the Decorah Radical, changed the name to De- corah Pantagraph, and is now editing and publishing the same.
Orlando J. Clark, attorney, is a son of J. T. Clark, and was born in New York in 1843. He came to Iowa in February, 1855, received a common school education, and enlisted in Co. E, 38th Io. Inf .; was afterwards transferred to Co. K, 34th Io., and served until the close of the war, when he was mustered out as second lieutenant. He then returned to Decorah, and in January, 1867, commenced reading law with his father as preceptor; in June, 1868, he was admitted to the bar, and has since been in constant practice. He has been district attorney six years, city mayor
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one term, and is at present city attorney. Mr. Clark was married November 24th, 1868, to Miss Stella McCurdy, and has one son and one daughter.
Fitz William Cleveland, farmer, owns 120 acres of land, in- cluding 13 acres of timber. Mr. C. was born in Lake Co., Ill., in 1844, and in 1845 his parents moved to Wis. In 1854 they moved to Io., locating in Winneshiek Co., on a government claim in Hesper tp. The farm he now owns and resides upon is a part of the original homestead. His father, Selby Cleveland, was a pioneer settler and died in March, 1876, his sons taking the farm at that time. Fitz W. was married in 1869, in Burr Oak tp., to Miss Sarah A. Gates, and they have two children.
Josiah Callender, farmer, came to this Co. when a child, with- his father, Isaac Callender, in 1848, who took a claim under the government, and was one of the first actual settlers in this part of the county and was a much respected citizen, and had held many offices of public trust in the county. He died on the 19th of March, 1882. His wife died two months before. The home farm, which contains about 260 acres, is conducted by Josiah Cal- lender, who was born in Wis., in 1846, two years previous to his parents' moving to this county. Mr. Callender is a member of Lodge No. 66, A. F. & A. M,, and was married in 1873 to Miss Vila E. Crouch, in Cherokee Co., Iowa, and has two children.
Daniel Calkin, farmer, resides on and owns 100 acres of tillable land in section 20, Hesper tp., and also owns 20 acres of timber in Burr Oak tp. He was born in Essex Co., N. Y., in 1837, and in 1859 went to Whiting. Vt., and there learned the trade of carpen- ter and joiner. He enlisted in Sept., 1861, on the second call after the battle of Bull Run, in the 5th Vt. Infty., Co. F .; served three years; two years of the time was hospital steward, as he was un- able to serve in the field on account of serious illness during the first year. He was discharged in Sept., 1864, and returned to Vt. and remained until the spring of 1865, and then went to Wis. In the following fall he came to Io., located in Canoe tp., this Co., bought a farm there and resided thereon five years; then sold out and purchased a farm in section 30, Hesper tp., where he remained six years; then in 1876 purchased the farm he now resides on. It is thoroughly improved and is fine prairie land. He has built a fine brick residence and good barns and farm buildings, and has his farm well stocked. He has filled various offices of trust in Canoe'and Hesper tps. He was married in Oct., 1868, at Postville, Io., to Miss Esther M. Finney, and they have five children.
L. M. Chase, P. O. Freeport, steward of the County Poor Farm; was born in N. H. in 1833, where he remained till in 1853 he came to Iowa, stopping in Muscatine two years; then came to Winneshiek Co., locating in Canoe tp. In 1870 he moved into Clay Co., Io., where he remained till in 1876, when he returned to
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Winneshiek Co., and in 1878 was appointed to his present position. His wife was Miss Mary Gove, a native of N. H. They have five children, Herbert. Elliston, Pliny, Lydia and Milton.
Peter Coogan, P. O. Decorah, farmer, Sec. 3; son of James and Catharine Coogan. He was born June 24, 1841, in Steuben Co., N. Y .; immigrated to Io. in the spring of 1859, locating in the southeast part of Allamakee Co., and the following fall came to Decorah. He first engaged as teamster, and subsequently farmed upon the Jacob Jewett farm, and on Washington Prairie one year. In 1866 he rented the farm he now owns, and at the close of two years he purchased it. He now owns 230 acres, valued at $35 per acre. He married Miss Elizabeth Headington, February 4th, 1865. She is a native of Ohio. They have two children, Cora H. and Laura N.
M. J. Carter of the firm of Meyer & Carter, bankers; estab- lished business in Feb., 1880. They do a general banking busi- ness. Mr. Carter was born in Warren Co., Ohio, in 1852; came west with his parents July 4th, 1856, and settled in Bloomfield tp., where he lived until 1874, when he engaged in clerking. He afterwards read law with G. L. Faust, and was admitted to the bar in Jan., 1877. Mr. C. was deputy clerk of the courts two years; has also been mayor, treasurer and justice of the peace. He married Mattie B. Harvey, a native of N. H., and has one son.
J. H. Constantine, manufacturer and dealer in harness, sad- dles, whips, etc., was born in Waukesha, Wis., in 1855; came to Io. in 1875, and the following year located in Calmar and estab- lished his present business. He married Mary Benda, a native of Iowa.
E. W. Constantine, proprietor of sample room; was born in Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1861; came to Calmar in 1877, and estab- lished his present business. He married Elizabeth Sullivan, who was born in McGregor.
A. J. Cratsenberg, of the firm of Cratsenberg & Son, dealers in general merchandise, Burr Oak, was born in Denmark, Lewis Co., N. Y., 1830; lived in that county until 1864. He was in business dur- ing part of the time in Turin, in that county, at his trade as a har- nessmaker. He enlisted during the late war in Co. F, 186th N. Y. Vol. Inf., as sergeant of the Pioneer Corps, and served to the close of the war. He was with Gen. Meade at Stony Creek, the taking of Petersburg, and in North Carolina. He was discharged in 1865 near Alexandria, then returned to N. Y. and took a po- sition as foreman in a harness shop. In 1869 he came to Io. and settled in Burr Oak, and opened a harness shop, which he con- ducted three years and then quit the business. In the same build- ing he opened and established the hotel known as the American House, which he conducted until April, 1877. He then sold to Mr. Porter, its present occupant, and in the following spring he opened the store in partnership with his son. In the same year
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WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.
he obtained his commissson as postmaster, succeeding George Kimball. He is also a commissioned notary public, receiving his commission in 1878. Mr. C. is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has filled every office in the lodge; is its present treasurer, has been representative to the Grand Lodge twice and district deputy twice, and is still a member of the Grand Lodge and Encamp- ment. He married in 1851, in N. Y., Miss Julia M. Phelps, of the same place, and they have four children, Alva A. Alma A., Ella L. and Frank E. Alva A., the oldest, is junior partner in the business, but resides in Madison, Wis. He is special agent for the State for the Continental Ins. Co., of N. Y., and was for- merly with Henry Paine, of Decorah, in the same business. He was married Dec. 29, 1880, to Miss Ida Bennett, of that place, and they have one child, Helen.
Charles W. Cady, M. D. and druggist, was born in Saratoga Springs, New York, in 1846. His parents moved in 1851 to Mal- den, Massachusetts, and in 1857 to Owatonna, Steele County, Min- nesota. He resided with them until 1877, when he located at Burr Oak and established his present business and practice. The Doctor received his preparatory education at Owatonna, and in 1869 entered the Chicago University and went through the junior year; then left and commenced the study of medicine with Drs. Case and Moorehead at Owatonna, Minnesota, and in 1874 he en- tered the Bennett Eclectic Medical College of Chicago, and gradu- ated in 1877. He commenced practice at Blooming Prairie, Min- nesota, remained there but a short time, then came to this place, and has established a lucrative and successful business and prac- tice. He was married in 1877 to Miss Elizabeth Turner, and they have one child, Ellen May.
C. L. Christiansen Lein, Hesper township; owns 295 acres, in- cluding 50 acres timber, 70 acres of the land being in Canoe town- ship, the balance in Hesper township. Mr. Lein was born in 1841 at Hollingdahl, Norway, and came to the United States with his parents in 1852; lived one year in Dane County, Wisconsin; then came to this place, where he has since resided. He bought 280 acres of land in Baker County, Minnesota, in 1878. It is raw prairie and valued at $12 per acre. The home property is all un- der cultivation, thoroughly improved and well stocked. He has filled several offices of trust in the township, and served five years as justice of the peace. He was married in the fall of 1869 at this place to Miss Carrie Larson, and they have five children, Mary, Eliza, Christiania, Oliver and Helena.
Elijah Clarke, farmer, Fremont township; owns 160 acres of land; was born in New York, in 1808. In 1829 he went to Upper Canada, remaining there nine years, farming and lumbering; then moved to McHenry County, Illinois, and engaged in farming un -. til 1853; then came to this county and bought a claim in what is now Hesper township; lived there two years; then came to this
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place, and purchased the land he now owns, directly it came into market, and has now thoroughly improved the same. He was mar- ried in 1833 in Canada to Miss Lydia Belles, and has ten children.
John Cizek, proprietor of wagon and blacksmith shop, Spill- ville; is a son of Wenzel and Anna Cizek; was born in Bohemia, in October, 1836; came with parents to America in 1855, and lo- cated in Racine County, Wisconsin, where he worked at his trade until 1863, when he removed to Dubuque, where he worked for A. A. Cooper. In 1864 he came to this place and established a blacksmithing business, afterwards adding wagon manufactur- ing and a repairing branch. In 1857 he was married to Mary Zeman, also a native of Bohemia. They have five children, Jose- phine, William, Mary, John and Fanny, and have lost one by death, Emma.
Chas. Crapser, section 28, Orleans township, P. O. Cresco; was born in Duchess County, New York, in 1832; he is a son of Har- rison and Elizabeth Crapser. From New York he went to Ohio; thence to Will County, Illinois, and in 1854 he removed to Con- over, where he remained one summer, when he again removed to his present farm of 320 acres, which he valued at $35 per acre. He deals largely in Holstein cattle, owning thirty thoroughbreds, nineteen of which are imported. He was married to Phoebe Catharine Kirk, a native of New Jersey; they have nine children, five sons and four daughters.
John Cunningham, farmer, section 24; owns 240 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; was born in Scotland in 1848; is the old- est son of Adam and Sophia Cunningham. When he was six years of age he emigrated with his parents to America, and set- tled in St. Lawrence County, New York; remained there till - 1863, when he moved to Minnesota, and after a year's residence there finally located in Winneshiek County, Iowa, and has been a resident of that county since. He was married in 1875, to Miss Lizzie Emslie, a native of Wis., and has one child, John.
R. S. Chapman, dealer in drugs, stationery, fancy groceries, etc., Fort Atkinson; was born in Chesterfield, N. H., in 1820. In 1832 his parents moved to Wayne County, Pennsylvania, re- maining but a short time; then went to New York, and in the spring of 1833 to Union County, Ohio; farmed there five years; then moved to La Fayette, . Medina County, Illinois. In 1845 he went to Jefferson County, Wisconsin, remaining two years, and was in various other places, as a carpenter and millwright; in the spring of 1874 he came to Iowa and located at this place in Aug- ust, 1874, and bought the drug business of Chas. Adams in com- pany with his son-in-law, Dr. F. L. Bradley. Two years later they dissolved partnership, Bradley retiring. and Mr. Chapman carried business alone until 1880, when he again formed a part-
ip with Mr. Bradley. They own the property; the building stories, and is filled with a complete stock. Mr. Chapman
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was married in September, 1843, at Lafayette, Ohio, to Miss Sal- lie E. Wallis, and they have one child, Mary E., now Mrs. Brad- ley. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M.
Frank P. Chizek, dealer in general merchandise, Fort Atkinson; was born in Austria in 1855; he came to America with his parents in 1868; located in Chickasaw County; in 1876 moved to this county and engaged in farming. In 1870 Frank entered the em- ploy of G. Weaver, remained with him six years, then clerked one year in the store of Peter Oleson, at Calmar, and in the spring of 1877 located here, and commenced business in partnership with H. H. Blodgett, dealing in general merchandise. They dissolved partnership in the spring of 1881, and he then opened business alone, bought the building he now occupies, refitted and extended it, and put in a new and complete stock of dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, groceries, glassware, crockery, etc., and is also agent for many makes of sewing machines. Mr. C. has established a fine business. He was married in the spring of 1876, at this place, to Miss Mary Macal, they have two children Johnnie and Ida.
M. H. Culbert, farmer, section 4, P. O. Cresco; owns 480 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; was born in Canada in 1836; is the eight son of Isaac and Elizabeth Culbert; came to Winneshiek County 'after a residence of nine years at Hesper; removed to Or- leans township in the year 1877; moved to Cresco, and resided there until 1881, when he moved on to the farm where he now resides. He was married in 1865 to Miss Hattie Lindsay, a native of Canada, and has three children, Sydney M., Harrison W. and Willie ¿ E. Mr. Culbert has been township trustee for several years.
The Day Family .- This family is the pioneer family of Deco- rah, having settled on the site now occupied by the Winneshiek House, in the month of June, 1849.
William Day. the father of this family, was born in the State of Virginia. He was married in 1824 to Miss Elizabeth Thomp- son. In 1848 he removed with his family from his native State; came north, touching at Cassville, Wis .; then remained for a short time on a claim in the east part of Winneshiek Co .; thence to Decorah. Here he at once erected a log cabin, which soon be- came a convenient place for travelers to stop for refreshment and rest. In 1856 a frame building was erected, and called the Win- neshiek House, and as proprietor of this house he spent his re- maining days. His death took place August 7th, 1860. His wife, now familiarly known as Mother Day, still resides at the Winne- shiek House. She has had seven children, but only three were living at the death of Mr. Day. Those three are still residents of Decorah, and form what is known as the firm of Day Brothers. They came to Decorah with their parents, and since the death of their father have been associated in business. They were engaged
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extensively in real estate, and dealt largely in live stock, produce, etc., until 1870, since which time their principal business has been dealing in lumber. They now have lumber yards at Decoralı and Cresco, and handle over three million feet of lumber an- nually. In 1877 they refitted the Winneshiek House, at a cost of about eight thousand dollars, and still own the same.
Clayborn Day, the oldest of .the three brothers, was born in 1825. He was the first postmaster of Decorah. In 1857 he mar- ried Miss Emma Porliman, daughter of Dr. William Porliman, of Decorah.
John Day, the second oldest, was born in 1841. He was mar- ried in 1869 to Miss Elizabeth Noble, daughter of Judge Reuben Noble, of McGregor. They have two children, Noble and Floyd.
Richard Day, the youngest of the firm, was born in 1843. In 1870 he married Miss Sarah Atkins, daughter of George Atkins, of Mason City. She died in 1877, leaving two children, only one of whom is now living, Eliza.
Comments are unnecessary on the subjects of this sketch, as they are known by all to be honest, upright and reliable men.
D. B. Dennis, grocer, only son of Archie and Mary Dennis, na- tives of the State of N. Y., who settled in Winneshiek Co. in 1857. The former still resides at Decorah; the latter died in 1879. D. B. Dennis was born in N. Y., in 1838; came to Decorah in 1858: served as clerk in a mercantile business about three years; then as deputy postmaster two and a half years. In 1863 he engaged in general merchandise, and continued until 1866, at which time his store was destroyed by fire. In the spring of 1869 he established his present business, and has since continued the same. Mr. Dennis was married in 1862 to Miss Anna J. Haggart. They have had two children, both deceased.
B. O. Dahly, the popular millinery merchant of Decorah, is a native of Norway. He was born on the 1st day of December, 1824. His parents gave him a good common school education. In 1844 he emigrated to this country, and spent about nine years working as a mechanic in Chicago. His first venture in mercantile business was at Whitewater, Wis., where he carried on business nearly two years with indifferent success. In 1854 he came to Winneshiek Co., Io., and identified his interest for a time with the prospective town of Freeport; which, it was thought, had some prospect of becoming the seat of justice of the county. He erected a store, hotel, and other buildings; but the county seat being decided in favor of Decorah, Freeport declined; and Mr. Dahly, failing to see any prospect of success there, went to Minne- sota and started business both at Preston and Rushford, in Fill- more county. At the former place, the county seat, he erected a store, but he had hardly got started when the financial crisis of 1857 proved disastrous to his enterprises, and in the fall of that year he removed to Decorah. He was now without means, but
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full of energy and determination to succeed in business somewhere. Fortunately his last situation was well chosen, for Decoralı, hav- ing conducted business on a sound and reliable basis, was com- paratively prosperous throughout the panic, Here Mr. Dahly started a small millinery and fancy goods business, which, follow- ing with energy, tact and business enterprise, has proved a re- markable success. That small beginning has grown into one of the most extensive retail millinery establishments in the North- west. In getting this business started, Mr. Dahly owes much to his first wife, whose good taste and practical acquaintance with mil- linery rendered him valuable assistance. In 1858 he built a stone store east of the Winneshiek House, which he occupied with his business till 1856, when having 'finished his present building he occupied it with the finest stock of goods ever opened in the place. He has continued to add to it from time to time, as the demands of trade have required. Here can be be found every- thing in the line of millinery, straw goods, ribbons, flowers, plumes, silk, velvets, fancy dress goods, cloakings, shawls and all sorts of furnishing articles for ladies, children and misses. None but a truly energetic business man could make it pay to carry so large a stock of this class of goods, outside of Chicago or Milwau- kee. Some idea of the business may be formed from the fact that sixteen persons are constantly employed in the store. Mr. Dahly is purely a Yankeeized Norwegian, and yet no man loves his native country better than he does. Whenever there is any celebration or anything connected with his former home, you will be sure to find him at the head of it. We cordially ask all who visit Decorah to call at B. O. Dahly's emporium of fashion, and see for themselves if they do not say with us that it is the finest establishment they have seen west of the lakes. Mr. Dahly's first marriage was in Chicago, in 1848, to Miss Margaret Knud- son, of Milwaukee, who died in 1868, leaving one son. He was married the second time in Decorah, in 1871, to Miss Caroline Shuttleworth, and by this marriage also has one child.
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