USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical > Part 10
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contracting and carpenter business and greatly desired him for the exacting work of the yards. At that time Mr. Reese had about fourteen contracts on hand and a number of men in his employ. So earnest was Mr. Musser in his offer that he placed Mr. Reese immediately on his payroll and allowed him two weeks latitude in which to dispose of his contracts properly to other builders. His acceptance of this position brought Mr. Reese to Iowa City to reside, and he remained in the employ of the Musser Lumber Company for thirteen years.
On January 1, 1902, Mr. Reese took up the duties of county treasurer of Johnson county, a position to which he had been unanimously nominated on the republican ticket, his majority at election being very marked in spite of the fact that the county normally was overwhelmingly democratic. During his incumbency in this office Mr. Reese handled about $3,000,000 of public money. On retiring from office, he engaged in the real estate business for about a year, when he entered the employ of the Citizens Savings & Trust Company, of Iowa City, as assistant cashier, the position which he occupies at present.
Mr. Reese is one of the organizers of the Iowa City Electric Railway Company and is secretary and treasurer of the com- pany. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Rundell Land & Improvement Company, which controls 270 city lots located between the Kelly factory and East Iowa City, with a capital stock of $25,000.
In fraternal circles Mr. Reese is recognized as an active factor. He is a trustee of Kosciusko lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., of which he has been a member since 1887, and is Past Noble Grand of the lodge. He is a member of the M. W. A., and the B. P. O. E. He is trustee of the Heath estate and a trustee of the Congregational church of Iowa City. For six years he has been an alderman from the fourth ward in the city council, and was the republican nominee for mayor of Iowa City in 1911 against Hon. George W. Koontz, the successful candidate.
Mr. Reese married Miss Mary Reese, of Union township, Johnson county, daughter of Rolland Reese, a pioneer of the county. She was a babe six months old when her parents set- tled in Johnson county. Her birthplace is Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Reese are members of the Congregational church and reside at 24 North Van Buren street, Iowa City.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
JOSEPH ARTHUR VALENTA, M. D.
Perhaps no subject could more worthily engage the research and sustained effort of the real lover of his fellow man than that of the public health as involved in the fundamental essen- tials of hygiene, sanitation, and quarantine. To the violation of the recognized principles of these factors of modern civiliz- ation may be traced nine-tenths of the ailments to which flesh is heir. Amplification of this statement would involve unlim- ited discussion and exploitation of grewsome facts in city and rural life, reflecting upon us as individuals and as a body poli- tic in no complimentary manner. Mindful of the strong un- dercurrents of antipathy which flow in the common mind against what some of the less-informed might term an inva- sion of individual liberty, to the credit of mankind be it said that there have arisen from time to time in every community heroic souls who have braved such public opposition by making it their business to investigate and overhaul in behalf of the general good the conditions surrounding private homes and habits, as well as community methods, involving the public health. Gratifying results have come from some of these ef- forts; indeed, the aggregate accomplished gives earnest of the final happy solution of the problem of gregarious living. The city-sanitary, as well as the city-busy and the city-beauti- ful, is outlined clearly on the horizon of metropolitan develop- ment - to the delight of those earnest citizens who have borne the obloquy and burden of original investigation.
Among the names entitled to high place in the Blue Book of "Who's Who in Hygiene" properly should be written that of Joseph Arthur Valenta, M. D., of Iowa City, whose efforts and practical accomplishments in the lines of the promotion of the public health are of no mean order.
At the first annual meeting of the Iowa health officers and city physicians, held at Des Moines June 16 and 17, 1903, Dr. Valenta, who organized the society in 1902 and was its first president (being at the time health officer of Iowa City), read a paper bearing on the general matters under consideration. This paper, which was greatly appreciated, was published in full in the twelfth biennial report of the board of health of the state of Iowa, June, 1903. The salient features of the address
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will be indicated by the following excerpts taken from the printed report :
1st. A more united cooperation between the township trus- tees and the city boards of health.
2nd. Uniformity in the regulation of quarantine and the management of the same in the state.
3rd. Repeal of the regulation by the board of health com- pelling the removal of wall paper in cases of smallpox and scarlet fever, and leaving the question to the judgment of the health officer.
4th. Taking the health officership out of politics and sub- stituting qualification, irrespective of partisanship.
5th. More compliance with the rules of health by the health officers and the city physicians themselves.
6th. Enlightenment and education of the rural districts in the regulations and rules of the board of health.
7th. Election of a board of health in a township for a period of three or five years.
8th. A better and united means of reporting deaths, births, contagious diseases, etc.
9th. Better appreciation by the public of the work of the health department.
10th. A detention hospital for every city and township, with proper accommodations and nurses.
11th. A good organization of Iowa health officers and city physicians, whose members will work for the good of the cause.
12th. A practical way to be devised for disposing of garb- age, etc.
13th. Making public service corporations responsible for the purity of their water supply.
14th. A state sanitarium for consumptives.
15th. Anti-expectoration ordinances, with strict enforce- ment.
16th. Careful guarding of fellow practitioners's interests in assuming control of cases we are called upon to investigate.
17th. A more united effort to stamp out smallpox by in- sistence on calling it by its right name.
18th. An information bureau or system of communication
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between health officers, giving notice to each other of epidem- ics.
19th. An official publication for the Iowa health officers and city physicians, with a chief editor and subordinate staff. with several departments. .
20th. A national union association of health officers and city physicians.
In closing his paper, Dr. Valenta said: "Now there are many other needs in the department of health, but I have en- deavored to bring the most important to your consideration. That these needs, if supplied, would prove a blessing, few of you will probably doubt, but as to the best ways and means to
RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH ARTHUR VALENTA, M. D.
accomplish the end desired we may differ. If each of us, how- ever, will strive to pick out the method which has been shown to be the best, as accepted by the majority, and work out that method regardless of our own personal opinion, success will crown our efforts. May we radiate outward our labors from this center city, the capital of Iowa, into every nook and cor- ner of this commonwealth, and before another year passes by reap the fruits of labor performed by the faithful few for the perfect happiness of humanity."
Another notable paper by Dr. Valenta was read before the Johnson county normal institute in July, 1903, and was pub-
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
lished in the "Iowa Normal Monthly," Volume XXVII. The essay was entitled, "Hygiene in Rural Schools." Dr. Valenta covered the ground ably, and the paper attracted unusual at- tention. An outline will not be out of place: "Hygiene," said the speaker, "may be divided into three classes :
"1. Individual or personal.
"2. Family or domestic.
"3. Municipal or state (public hygiene)."
Commenting quite fully under each of these heads, the doc- tor classified "school hygiene" as properly coming partly un- der each of the above divisions. Entering more elaborately into the subject, the speaker touched upon the elementary elements of air, water supply, clothing, study, exercise, rest or recreation, food, contagious disease, heating, emergencies.
Insisting that soil upon which the school house stands has much to do with the health of the pupils, the doctor elaborated upon that point and, in further elucidation of proper school conditions recommended :
1. A site that is dry and not malarious and an aspect which gives light and cheerfulness.
2. A pure supply and proper removal of water, by means of which perfect cleanliness of all parts of the house can be secured.
3. A system of immediate and perfect sewerage removal, which renders it impossible that the air or water shall be con- taminated from excreta.
4. A system of ventilation which carries off all respiratory impurities.
5. A condition of house construction which insures perfect dryness of the foundation walls and roof. As the air in a school house is almost always warmer than the outside air, it has a tendency to draw up the more or less impure air from the soil into the building.
Other important addresses delivered by Dr. Valenta were before the Johnson County Teachers' Institute in September, 1904 (published in Iowa State Normal Monthly, Volume XXVIII), on the topic of "School Hygiene," dwelling upon the physical and mental development of the child, and, in June, 1904, before the League of Iowa Municipalities, published in the "Midland Municipalities Magazine" for August,
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1904) on the topic of "Consumption and Its Danger," insisting on the duty of teachers to be equipped with exact knowledge on this subject and to teach it to their pupils. One of the most timely papers written by Dr. Valenta was on the "Garbage System," and he also recommended the establish- ment of a state bacteriological laboratory to be controlled by the state board of health in connection with the State Univer- sity of Iowa, through which any city or town could be exam- ined without charge. Also at the famous Institute in 1906 he delivered a lecture on rural hygiene and sanitation.
Dr. Valenta is a native of Johnson county, his birth occur- ring in Big Grove township in 1871. His parents were Wes- ley and Anna (Kuncl) Valenta, the latter deceased in 1907. He was a public school student and a graduate of Iowa City Academy in 1889. He attended the Liberal Arts department of the State University of Iowa and graduated from the Med- ical Department in 1896.
The doctor's first practice was in Solon in 1896, and his general practice began in Iowa City in 1901. He held the position of city health officer from 1902 to 1909. In 1902 he organized the Iowa Health Officers Association and was its first president. His connection as examining physician relates to the following societies: Fraternal Bankers Reserve, Brotherhood of American Yeomen, Homesteaders, Royal Neighbors, Modern Woodmen of America, Slovanska Lipa, C. S. P. S. and Catholic Workmen; also to the National Union and Metropolitan Life Insurance companies. The doctor is a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic church and secretary of its board of trustees. His professional relations are with the Johnson County Medical Society, Iowa State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. During the year of 1904 he was editor of "Midland Municipalities Magazine," the official publication of the League of Iowa Municipalities.
CHRISTIAN GAULOCHER
At twenty-three years of age Christian Gaulocher left his native land. Prussia, and came to New Jersey, U. S. A. His birthday was November 20, 1840, and his parents were Simon
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
and Josephine (Ruff) Gaulocher. The young emigrant re- mained in New Jersey only two years. Then he came west- ward to Iowa City, where he at once engaged in the manufac- ture of brick. That was in 1865, and from that time to the present, a period of forty-six years, he has continued in the same business. The firm of Christian Gaulocher & Son, brick manufacturers, 722 North Lucas street, Iowa City, is known far and near throughout Johnson county and the state of Iowa. The Gaulocher product has entered into the construc- tion of most of the business houses and residences of Iowa
RESIDENCE OF CHRISTIAN GAULOCHER
City and into many structures throughout the county and state. Gaulocher brick enters into the pavements and via- ducts and sewers of Iowa City. Christian Gaulocher has liter- ally covered his community with the evidences of his handi- craft.
In the year 1873 our subject was married to Miss Teresa Drews, a resident of Johnson county but a native of Germany. She came to America with her parents in 1866, and settled in Iowa City, where she has lived ever since. Her father was a tailor by trade, and he carried on his business in Iowa City
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until his death. Both the parents of Teresa Drews are buried at Iowa City. Mr. and Mrs. Gaulocher have had nine children, seven of whom are dead: Emma, born December 31, 1872, died when a baby; Elizabeth, born in 1874, died in young womanhood in March, 1897; Hulda, born May 6, 1875, died April 6, 1893; Harry, born in 1877, died November 12, 1896; Edward, born May 6, 1878, died March 9, 1879; Hattie, born December 14, 1879, died January 19, 1894; Carl, the only liv- ing son, born in Iowa City June 23, 1881, associated in business with his father, married February 6, 1907, to Miss Rosa Ebert, a native of Iowa City, has one daughter, Mary Gretchen. He is now councilman from the third ward. Clara, the only liv- ing daughter, now Mrs. C. I. Potter, she and her husband liv- ing with Mr. and Mrs. Ganlocher, have twin daughters, Ruba and Ruth, born September 15, 1910.
Mr. Gaulocher was elected councilman on the democratic ticket for two terms from the third ward, and has held other positions of trust in local affairs. He is a member of the Ger- man Aid Society, of which he was treasurer for a good many years. The family are members and attendants of the Ger- man Lutheran church.
In tracing the life story of Mr. Gaulocher we find an exam- ple of what may be accomplished by integrity of purpose, in- dustry, tenacity of will, and strict honesty. He began his career in life with only a pair of willing hands and an honest determination and has steadily progressed until he has secured not only a competency but an unblemished name and char- acter, a heritage of honor, and the fragrance of a life well lived, and days well spent.
STEPHEN BRADLEY
Stephen Bradley was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 26, 1850. His parents were Timothy and Mary Bradley, both of whom were born in Ireland. Mr. Bradley's father died a few years ago at the age of 84 and his mother died fifteen years ago, aged 72.
With his parents he came to Iowa City July 4, 1856, where he lived until April 1, 1869, when he moved to Hardin town-
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
ship, Johnson county, Iowa. Here he farmed and taught school until January 1, 1881. In the November election of 1880 he was elected clerk of courts of Johnson County and served three terms, until January 1, 1887, and as deputy clerk until August, 1888, when he began the practice of law in Iowa City, in which he has been engaged ever since.
Mr. Bradley is affiliated with the democratic party and al- though he has never considered himself in the political field, yet he has received many political honors. While living in Hardin township he was elected clerk and assessor, and sec- retary and treasurer of the school board of the township, and
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RESIDENCE OF STEPHEN BRADLEY
has since been councilman of the first ward of Iowa City for two terms.
He is a member of the A. O. H. No. 1, of Iowa City, and of the B. P. O. E. 592, of Iowa City. He is a member of St. Pat- rick's Catholic church, of Iowa City.
In March, 1878, Mr. Bradley was married to Mary Cusack. Mrs. Bradley was born August 15, 1858. in Johnson county, Iowa. Her parents were Lawrence and Katherine Cusack, both of whom were natives of Ireland and came to this country with their parents when small children.
Mr. and Mrs. Cusack were married in Chicago and came
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to Johnson county in 1855 and lived in Oxford, where Mr. Cusack died and where Mrs. Cusack is still living.
Mr. Bradley is now associated in the practice of the law with Judge John J. Ney.
ROBERT B. GRAHAM
There is always a peculiar connection between a man's name and his occupation or the business he is engaged in. Especially is this true when the business has been long estab- lished under the same management. For instance, the name of Graham and livery. The "Graham Livery" is so thorough- ly identical with the business interests of Iowa City that it is almost impossible to think of one without the association of the other. To think of Graham it is so very natural to imme- diately think of the livery business, and if one's attention is called to the livery business it is at once associated with the name of Bob Graham. Probably no other man in the county is better or more favorably known than Mr. Graham.
Robert B. Graham was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, August 8, 1845. His parents were Benjamin and Jane (Love) Graham. Benjamin Graham was born in Ireland, and came to America with his parents when three weeks old. He used to remark that "he began life at an early age." The family set- tled first in Pennsylvania ; afterwards moving to Ohio, and on October 1, 1849, the young couple left their Buckeye home and started for Iowa, taking with them young "Bob," age two, and Caroline, then just past four years of age. They landed at Du- buque thirty-one days later. Prior to their arrival in Illinois, the family made a tour of Wisconsin. but not being satisfied with conditions in the Badger state, came to Iowa and stopped for awhile at Vinton, where they had friends. Thence they came on to Iowa City, arriving in the month of November, 1849. From that time to the present "Bob" Graham has never been outside of Johnson county at any one time longer than three and one-half months. This proves that the county; "looked good to him" from the beginning and all the way through.
Benjamin Graham was an influential man in the county in
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
his day, being one of the largest land owners and most public spirited men of his time. Everything relating to the welfare of the county and the betterment of conditions enlisted his cooperation. At the time of his death, April 18, 1882, he owned 1,013 acres of land in Johnson county. Six children were born to Benjamin and Jane Graham, our subject being the oldest. The others are : Caroline S., now Mrs. A. W. Bradley, of Chicago: James K., residing in Iowa City; Annie E., now Mrs. Ed Long, of Cedar Rapids ; Josephine and Louise, twins, the former now Mrs. J. F. Hill, of Iowa City, and the latter Mrs. F. J. Long, of Iowa City. Mother Graham died April 1, 1904.
After securing a good fundamental education in the country schools, our subject engaged in farming in Scott township, and continued therein until 1883. In that year he moved to Iowa City. In 1885, however, he returned to the farm, where he remained for fourteen years. November 9, 1899, he bought the livery and stock business where he was located until March 6, 1912, 217-221 East Washington street. His son, Harry L., is now associated with him in the business under the firm name of Graham & Son.
On December 14, 1871, Mr. Graham was married to Miss Nancy A. Pringey, a native of Virginia, who came to Iowa with her parents when a child. The Pringeys settled in Muscatine county, where the mother died in 1868. The father died No- vember 25, 1911, at the age of ninety-three. Mr. and Mrs. Graham have five children : Luella, residing at home; Harry L., in business with his father; Albert B., associated with C. R. Owen in the C. O. D. laundry in Iowa City; Leroy, a student in the Dental Department S. U. I; Laura Elsie, living at home, graduate of the Iowa City Commercial college.
Our subject is liberal as to local politics and republican on national issues. He is a Knight Templar and a member of the B. P. O. E. of Iowa City. Mrs. Graham and daughter Lu- ella are members of the Eastern Star.
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JOIIN ALFRED ALMA PICKERING
John A. A. Pickering was a child two years of age when he arrived in Iowa City in the spring of 1857 in company with his parents, George and Mary A. (Watson) Pickering, natives of Warwickshire, England. He was an infant in arms when the family left their native country for the tedious, six-weeks' voyage by sailing vessel for New York. After arrival at the new world metropolis the family remained there for three months, at the end of which time they went to Rahway, New Jersey, and resided one and one-half years in that state. Then they made the westward move which brought them to Iowa City, where the father and mother and one of their three children (our subject) still reside. Father and Mother Pick- ering have both reached the venerable age of eighty years, but are alert and active, and take great comfort in their beau- tiful pioneer home at 518 South Gilbert street. The garden and lawn of George Pickering are famous for their beauty ; their care and oversight are matters of extreme pride on his part.
George Pickering was born in Warwickshire, England, May 9, 1831. His parents were John and Anna Pickering, also na- tives of Warwickshire, who removed to America and died and were buried at Salt Lake City, Utah. Three sons and three daughters were born to John and Anna Pickering, of whom two survive, George, and Jane, wife of John Segar, of Salt Lake City. The marriage of George Pickering to Mary A. Watson took place at Stratford-on-Avon, England, June 6, 1853. His wife is the daughter of John Watson and Mary A. Harrison, and was born March 23, 1831. Three children were born to George and Mary Pickering: John A. A., our sub- ject ; Mary Louise, wife of Dr. J. A. Williams, of Wayne, Ne- braska ; William James, married to Elizabeth Benton, residing at Seattle, Washington, father of two children, May and Nina. Reference has already been made to the removal of the family from England to America. Grandmother Pickering, who is also a great-grandmother, takes pride in the fact that she is one of the original charter members of the Protestant Epis- copal church of Iowa City. Father Pickering, in his early
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
days in Iowa City, was employed by the old Cannon family and by the Morgan family.
John A. A. Pickering was born March 2, 1855, at Leaming- ton, Warwickshire, England. ITis education was received in the ward schools of Iowa City. After mastering the common branches he began clerking, at the age of thirteen, for C. M. Reno, who had just opened a queensware business on East Washington street at what is now the site of the Western Union Telegraph office. After clerking for Mr. Reno ten years, young Pickering bought out his employer and after
RESIDENCE OF THE LATE JOHN ALFRED ALMA PICKERING
three years removed the store to the corner of South Dubu- que and East College streets, the present site of the Citizens Savings and Trust Company. At that location Mr. Pickering branched out into a department store and became a wholesaler, retailer, and importer of china, glass, and fancy goods, toys, etc. For twenty-six years he continued at the last named lo- cation and then removed to 119-121 East College street, where he occupied two floors 22x80 and carried on a trade unsur- passed in popularity by any store of the city. The business was originally known as "China Hall," and this name, through long association, still clings to the store and its pro- prietor.
Mr. Pickering was the father of six children. The names of
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BIOGRAPHICAL
the children, in the order of birth, are: John Cleveland (named for President Cleveland) ; Geneva, wife of George Ellis Kenny, mother of two children, John J. and William Harold; George W. E., his father's assistant in the store; Arthur A., married, father of one child; Marjorie Louise, and Dorothy, residing at at home. The family are members of the Episcopal church.
The Pickering family home is located at 610 Brown street, and is the old homestead of Banker Downey, deceased, one of the pioneer financiers of Johnson county. The place is one of the landmarks of Iowa City and occupies ten acres. The old timbers which were hewn for the residence are still intact; indeed, except for the replacing of the small window lights with modern patterns, the house looks the same as of yore. Mrs. Downey, who revisited the old home recently, declared that everything looked quite familiar to her. Two of the old fruit trees set out by Banker Downey still bear fruit. As high as twenty-two bushels of pears in a single season have been taken therefrom. The excellence of the "Pickering pears" is well known by all the neighbors, old and new. Our subject died December 15, 1911, and was buried in Oakland cemetery.
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