USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical > Part 56
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
GEORGE A. SCHUPPERT
One of the native sons of Johnson county who has risen by persistent, painstaking effort to a position of affluence and high public esteem is George A. Schuppert, of 16 West College street, Iowa City. Mr. Schuppert began in a humble way as a baker's apprentice at the age of seventeen. Having thor- oughly learned his trade, he served as a journeyman for ten years, and at the end of that time had earned the enviable reputation of being the best bread maker of the county if not of his section of the state. The secret of Mr. Schuppert's success lay in his close and earnest attention to details, coupled with a desire to please and satisfy his customers. He became famous for his affability and carefulness. These qualities have characterized his dealings with his fellow man, both in business and social life. In later years he has devoted his attention principally to his property interests, which are large; and as a landlord the same spirit of accommodation and persistent effort to please has characterized his dealings with his tenants. Today, at the age of forty-two, he may fairly be reckoned one of the most popular landlords in Iowa City, and his personal friends are numbered by the hundreds.
747
BIOGRAPHICAL
This is a wholesome record, and Mr. Schuppert has every reason to feel gratified by his success.
As may be inferred from his name, Mr. Schuppert's an- cestry is German. His father, Michael Schuppert, and his mother, Mary Trumpp, were born and married in Wittenberg, Germany, the former being born in 1839 and the latter in 1841. Their marriage took place in 1867, and they emigrated to the United States in the same year, landing at New York. From there they went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and thence came to Iowa City in 1868, where George Schuppert was born January 27, 1869. The elder Schupperts are still living, and reside at 812 East Bloomington street, Iowa City. Five sons were born to this sturdy couple, all living, and the heads of families at this writing. Their names in the order of birth are: George A., our subject; John, married to Maggie Fro-
RESIDENCE OF GEORGE A. SCHUPPERT
haltz, father of three children; Michael, married and residing in Iowa City, father of one son; Fred, married, has two daugh- ters ; William, married, has one son. Including George's son, Father and Mother Schuppert have been blessed with eight grandchildren. Both these good people are highly esteemed by many friends in Iowa City. They are among the first mem- bers of the German Lutheran church, in the work of which they have always taken an active interest.
748
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
George A. Schuppert was educated in the public schools of Iowa City, and, as heretofore stated, chose the baker's trade as his occupation at the age of seventeen. His first business venture was in the bakery business at Iowa City, under the firm name of Fairchild & Schuppert, proprietors of the City Bakery on North Clinton street. Later the firm was changed to Sehuppert & Smith, which was dissolved in about a year. About that time Mr. Sehuppert opened a bakery in Oxford, which he conducted for about a year and a half and then sold to T. C. Marvin. Returning to Iowa City, he established the New York Bakery Co., which, at the end of ten years, he sold to his brothers, Michael and William Schuppert. That enterprise is still in operation, being known as the Oakland Bakery, conducted by Fred and William Schuppert.
Mr. Schuppert was married in 1892 to Miss Helen Glas- gow, of Missouri. Their only son, Earl Glasgow, was born March 16, 1907, at San Diego, California, in which city both parents were sojourning at the time in search of much-needed rest after years of strenuous industry. Little Earl at this writing is a bright lad of four years, at once the pride and sunshine of the home.
Our subject is a member of the A. F. & A. M. of Iowa City and of the Shriners of Davenport Consistory; also of Wapa- sheik Tribe No. 122, Improved Order of Red Men. He is a leading member of the German Aid Society.
As before stated, Mr. Schuppert owns considerable prop- erty in Iowa City. Included therein is his fine modern resi- dence at No. 16 West College street, which is provided with every convenience, and wherein Mrs. Schuppert demonstrates her ability as a housewife and a worthy, lovable companion and helpmate. Mr. Schuppert is known among his neigh- bors and tenants as the "man who is never idle." His pro- pensity to keep up repairs and provide for the comfort of his tenants insures the constant occupation of his property by responsible renters. Lately he has built himself a gasoline launch for pleasure riding on the Iowa river. This craft has been named "Earl," in honor of the only son of the house- hold.
749
BIOGRAPHICAL
MAJOR IRA J. ALDER
Ira J. Alder is one of the most prominent citizens of Iowa City, where for many years he was a leading attorney, and where he is now engaged in business. He is a successful cap- italist and is interested in various local enterprises. He was born in Union county, Ohio, July 15, 1844, but was brought by his parents to Iowa in childhood, receiving his early education in Oskaloosa college preparatory to entrance to the S. U. I. He is a son of Louis and grandson of Jonathan Alder and is of English descent on the paternal side and of Scotch Irish on the maternal side. Jonathan was a son of Jonathan Alder, who was in turn the son of a revolutionary soldier. The lat- ter was descended from an old English family and the name is perpetuated by various branches at Aldershot and Aldersgate, England.
Taken from Howe's history of Ohio the story of Jonathan Alder, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, is given briefly below, and reads more like fiction than real biography. He was born in New Jersey, eight miles from Philadelphia, Sep- tember 17, 1773, and when he was seven years old his parents moved to Wythe county, Virginia, where the father soon after- ward died. The following year, in March, 1782, while Jona- than and his brother David were out hunting for a mare and her colt, the former was taken prisoner by a small party of Shawnee Indians. The brother saw the danger and ran away, being pursued, caught, and scalped. Jonathan had the horror of seeing an Indian carrying his brother's scalp in his hand and shaking the blood from it. At the same time the Indians took prisoner a Mrs. Martin, a neighbor of the Alder family, and her young child some four or five years old. They then returned to their own towns. Their way led them through the forest to Big Sandy river, then down stream to the Ohio, which they crossed, and thence overland to a spot near Chilli- cothe on the Scioto and then on to a Mingo village on Mad river. Mrs. Martin's child was found burdensome and the Indians killed and scalped it. She saw the last one of her family killed and screamed with agony, upon which the sav- ages were going to scalp her, but she screamed despite their threats, after which they whipped her until she was silent. Jonathan Alder was too fatigued to wish to rise the next morn-
750
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
ing when he was called, but as he was facing the north saw a shadow of a man's arm and turned to meet the sight of an Indian with an uplifted tomahawk ready to strike the fatal blow. The Indian let his arm fall when he saw the young boy turn and told him afterwards he had intended scalping him, but when the child turned toward him, looking so smiling and pleasant from his sleep, he could not strike the fatal blow. He also said that upon feeling Jonathan's hair he looked at it and saw how black it was, then the thought came to him that if he could only get the boy to his tribe he would make a good In- dian. Thus was the child saved by the fact that his hair was black. On the remainder of the journey they killed a bear.
THEODORA PARK
The Mingo village to which they were finally taken was on the north side of the Mad river, at or near the edge of Logan coun- ty. Jonathan Alder was adopted into an Indian family, his foster father being a chief of a Mingo tribe, and his name be- ing Succohanoa. The Indian foster-mother was named Whine- cheoh. She had three daughters, Mary, Hannah, and Sally. They had lost a son and Jonathan was adopted to take his place. They were old people and told Jonathan he would be restored to his own parents some day. They cared for him
751
BIOGRAPHICAL
lovingly and he always felt very grateful for their kindness to him. Once when bathing in the Mad river with the Indian boys he nearly drowned and he had many adventures. When he became able to speak the language of the tribe he felt much more contented. He was living at Mackachack, an Indian town, when it was destroyed by General Logan (1786) and was present at an attack on Fort Recovery (1794), also went upon an expedition to Kentucky to steal horses from the set- tlers. He remained with the Indians until after Wayne's treaty of 1795, being urged by them to be present at the sign- ing of the treaty to obtain a reservation of land which was to be given to each one of the prisoners, but was ignorant of the importance of this, so did not go, so lost the land to them. After peace was declared Jonathan Alder was much relieved, for he was glad to be able to lie down in peace and to be able to shake hands with either the whites or the Indians as pleased him. When settlers first made their appearance in his neigh- borhood he could scarcely speak any English, being then some twenty-four years old and having spent fifteen years in cap- tivity. Two of the settlers took pains in educating him to speak English. Some time prior to this time he had taken an Indian woman for a wife and had begun to farm, locating on the Big Sandy, as did the white settlers. He carried on general farming and stock raising and sold butter and milk to the Indians. He also sold horses and pork to the whites, and through his industry and good management gained a com- petency. Eventually he left his Indian wife and finally mar- ried a white woman. His thoughts often turned back to his parents, but he was even ignorant of the state where his cap- ture had taken place, and where he had been living but a few months at that time. Finally, in telling a companion named John Moore what he could remember of the occasion and say- ing he was captured near a town named Greenbriar, Virginia, and describing a lead mine near his home, also giving the name of Galeon or Gullion as a neighboring family, the latter recog- nized the place, and told Mr. Alder that he and his father had stopped one night with the Alder family. Mr. Moore also said that the parents were then living and he could direct Jonathan where to find them. After some time spent in the search and after advertising, Mr. Alder found that his mother
752
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
and brother Paul were still surviving. Mr. Moore accompan- ied him on horseback to Virginia, and arrived at their destin- ation the Sunday after New Year's day. The meeting of the long-separated members of the family was very affecting and they had much to tell each other of the years that had passed since their last meeting. Jonathan Alder had left with his In- dian wife, by whom two children were born, everything he possessed save two horses and a few hogs, and started in life anew. He learned the English language of Benjamin Springer in Madison county, Ohio, and the two became fast friends. Mr. Alder was able many times to save the white settlers from Indian attacks. His Indian wife was a sister of Big Turtle, an Indian chief.
At the time of the outbreak of the War of 1812 the Indian chief held a council and sent a deputation to ask Mr. Alder whether he would advise them to side with the Americans or the British, and he advised them to remain neutral as long as they could, adding that they need not be afraid as the Ameri- cans would not harm their women and children. Despite the fact that the English had made them tempting offers to fight for them, the Indians remained neutral and continued the friends of the Americans. Jonathan married for his white wife Mary Blout, from Greenbriar, Virginia, and by whom ten children were born, the youngest daughter Mary surviving.
In his autobiography Jonathan Alder gives an account of several battles, and regarding the engagement at Fallen Tim- bers (having described the attack on Fort Recovery and the retreat to the vicinity of Defiance, Ohio), he said :
"We remained here (Defiance) about two weeks until we heard of the approach of Wayne, when we packed up our goods and started for the English fort at the Maumee Rapids. Here we prepared ourselves for battle and sent the women and children down about three miles below the fort, and as I did not wish to fight they sent me to Sandusky, Ohio, to inform some Wyandots there of the great battle that was to take place. I remained in Sandusky until the battle was over. The Indians did not wait more than three or four days before Wayne made his appearance at the head of a long prairie (called Piqua Plains) on the river, where he halted and waited for an opportunity to suit himself. Now the Indians are very
753
BIOGRAPHICAL
curious about fighting; for when they know they are going into a battle they will not eat anything prior. They say when a man is shot in the body when he is entirely empty there is not half so much danger of the ball passing through his bow- els as when they are full, so they started the first morning without any food and at night returned and partook of their supper. The second morning they again placed themselves in the same position as the first day, returning at night for supper. By this time they began to grow weak and concluded they would eat breakfast before again starting, which they did; the following morning some were eating and others who had finished had moved to their station, when Wayne's army was seen approaching. Soon as they were within gunshot Indians began shooting but Wayne, making no halt, pushed on upon them. The Indians, small in number, retreated; in so doing, Light Horse circled, finding themselves entirely sur- rounded. All that could made their escape; the balance were all killed. Those lost, with one or two exceptions, were Wy- andots that lived in Sandusky at the time I went to inform them of the expected battle. The main body of the Indians were back nearly two miles from the battle ground and Wayne had taken them by surprise, slaughtering them so they became discouraged and made for their homes."
Describing the great retreat of 1794 Jonathan Alder states that Simon Girty was in the action. In the attack on Fort Recovery one of the American officers was killed by Thomas McKee, a son of the British agent, Col. Alex McKee.
Here are his words: "In the morning when we arose, an old Indian addressed me saying, 'the last night I went out to take Fort Greenville by surprise and lost several of our men killed and wounded. There is one wounded man lying near the fort who must be brought away, for it would be a scandal to have him fall into the hands of the whites to be massacred. I wish to know who will volunteer to go and bring him away.' Big Turtle, who knew where he lay, answered that he would go. But as no one else volunteered the old Indian pointed out several of us, myself included, saying that we must ac- company Big Turtle. Upon this we rose up without a word and started. As soon as we came into the edge of the cleared ground those in the fort began shouting at us. We then ran
754
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
crooked from one tree to another, the bullets in the meantime flying about us like hail. At length while standing behind a big tree, Big Turtle ordered us not to stop any more but run in a straight line as we were only giving them time to load - that those foremost in going should have the liberty of first returning. He then pointed out the wounded man, and we started in a straight line, through a shower of bullets. When we reached him we were within sixty yards of the fort. We all seized him and retreated for our lives, first dodging from one side and then to the other, until out of danger. None of us were wounded but Big Turtle, the great chief."
The great Indian Jonathan Alder saved Simon Kenton twice from being burned at the stake by the Indians. After- wards about 25 years when Jonathan Alder was farming on his farm on the Big Darby he visited him and they spent some social times together. He never did forget his rescuer. He is now buried in Logan county, Ohio, not far from Fort Green- ville, where Jonathan Alder helped carry the dead Indian away from the fort, and the birth place of Tecumseh, whom Jonathan used to accompany on his hunting trips, as will be found in the archives of the historical society of Ohio.
One of the most interesting and noted things the old Indian Jonathan Alder, that old prisoner, accomplished while in cap- tivity was when Gen. James Logan from Kentucky advanced upon the town of Makoheak with 300 regulars. Jonathan Al- der was then about 23 years old. He heard of their approach to massacre the Indians for stealing horses. Just about that time Jonathan was the only Indian present in camp, all the rest were women and children, numbering about 300 on the head waters of the Scioto. The Indians were out hunting and the only thing left for him to do was to retreat with the women and children. Making good their escape they killed a she bear on the way. Prior to that they had nothing to eat but nettles. He thus saved 300 lives. On their return they found the villages and corn fields all burned and destroyed by Gen- eral Logan. Jonathan Alder, grandfather of our subject, was so highly respected for his gallantry that the governor ap- pointed him as their escort when they were sent from Ohio to their reservation at Oquonma, Kansas, near Elreno, Okla- homa, now their abiding place where a brother of Major Ira
755
BIOGRAPHICAL
J. Alder, Henry Alder, resides. The Indians frequently visit him on account of the old Indian prisoner, his grandfather.
Jonathan Alder helped to build a fort at Norton on Oleou- tensa now the Whetstone, Delaware county, Ohio, for protec- tion of the white settlers. For further reference see Howe's History of Ohio, Madison county portion. He died January 31, 1849, near Jefferson, Ohio, aged about 80.
Louis Alder, father of Ira J. Alder, is one of ten children. He was born October 28, 1814, at West Jefferson, Ohio, and died in Jasper county, near Prairie City, Iowa, November, 1877. He came of pioneer stock and made an honorable name for himself wherever he lived. Two children survive, of whom one sister, Mrs. Mary Warner, is now at Cedar, Ma- haska county, Iowa. The mother's maiden name was Cath- erine Tremble, niece of Governor Tremble, of Ohio, and U. S. senator as well, and she was a native of Indiana. She is buried at the site of a small school house, the play ground of our subject's youth, in Union county, Ohio, which is now a beautiful cemetery kept up by that county.
Ira J. Alder spent five years at Iowa State University, then read law under Hon. Rush Clark for one year. He then went into the office of Judge W. E. Miller and continued his studies. Judge Miller practiced law in Iowa City until he became chief justice. Mr. Alder later became interested in other lines of enterprise and for some time has dealt extensively in real estate. He has invested in several local interests and has taken a prominent part in public affairs, being always ready to help advance the progress and prosperity of the region. He has served three times as a member of the Trans-Missis- sippi Congress, at St. Louis, twice appointed by Gov. Leslie M. Shaw and once by Gov. F. M. Drake, as a representative from the state of Iowa. He is active in the councils of the republican party. He was a delegate to county and state con- ventions, and was amanuensis to Governor Kirkwood.
On June 8, 1882, Mr. Alder was married to Julia Buttles. One daughter, Theodora Alder, was born Thanksgiving day, 1885, died October 8, 1909, age 24.
The major's military record is as follows: Enlisted Com- pany D, 44th Iowa, known as the University company, com- posed of students of three colleges in state of Iowa, namely,
756
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
State University of Iowa, Cornell College of Mt. Vernon, and Western College, eighty in all. Forty were from the S. U. I. The colonel was Stephen B. Henderson, brother of ex-speaker of the House, D. B. Henderson. Major Ira J. Alder was the flag bearer a large part of the time with one of each company of the regiment. The major carried the flag to the camp of Col. D. B. Henderson at Collierville during the summer of 1864 to investigate the sanitary conditions of that place. He also carried it at the head of the column of reserves before the attack on Memphis in August, 1864. The flag also accom- panied the University company on their visit to Fort Pillow, the scene of that horrible butchery, which will forever be a stain upon the record of General Forest. On the memorable occasion when General Forest attacked the camp of Memphis with about 2,000, Ira J. Alder was in charge of the invalid corps of the regiment of 38 soldiers and defended the camp.
After the war, having been mustered out at Davenport, Sep- tember 15, 1864, he was appointed by Governor Larrabee as judge advocate with rank of major of all territory south of Rock Island railroad.
That beautiful flag is much beloved by the student company and when not in actual use is always carefully protected by an oil cloth sheath. The morning of June 19, 1897, when the li- brary building was afire Major Alder rushed to the scene to secure the prized flag. The pole was burned at the top and bottom and a considerable part of the flag was burned and charred.
The flag is now in the possession of the major. He intends to return it to his alma mater, with a provision for its care and safety. It will finally rest in the State University of Iowa with other battle flags in The State Historical Society, with special place for its safety.
The pride of Major Ira J. Alder's life was his beautiful and accomplished daughter, Miss Theodora Alder, a young lady of culture and refinement. She was educated in St. Cath- erine's Hall, Davenport, and took a course in Geneva, Switz- erland. She was a fine French scholar. After her return from Europe she was a student in the State University of Iowa. The literary, social, and church circles found her a very brilliant companion and worker. The King's Daughters
757
BIOGRAPHICAL
also miss her good work. Theodora means gift of God. A park on North Linn street is named in her memory. It is the garden spot of Iowa City. See illustration with this sketch.
GREGORY GROSS (DECEASED)
Gregory Gross was one of the early settlers of Johnson county, Iowa, and there developed and improved a fine farm, now owned by his widow. He was born about twelve miles from Bedford, France, February 22, 1819, a son of Gregory and Elizabeth (Schnuebelin) Gross, the former of whom fought twelve years under Napoleon.
At the age of eighteen years Mr. Gross came to the United States (1837) in a sailing vessel. He lived in Stark county, Ohio, until 1844, then removed west to Johnson county, over
RESIDENCE OF MRS. GROSS
the same route as was taken by his brother Vincent, and which is described in the latter's sketch which also appears in this work. He purchased the Fowler claim of 160 acres in Liberty township, and engaged in farming. He became very successful and became the owner of a half-section of choice land, which he improved and cultivated. He had to go many miles to market, and at one time hauled dressed hogs to Bur-
758
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
lington and sold them for $1.50 per hundredweight. He took an active part in local affairs and became the first justice of the peace of Liberty township, holding this office more than twenty years. He endeavored to settle as many disputes as possible out of court. He was a school trustee and a justice of the peace while Iowa was still a territory. He was a good carpenter and after he had given twenty acres of land for the use of St. Stanislaus church, made the frame for the building from logs he had hewed himself. He was married in 1841 to Elizabeth Schnuebelin, of Stark county, Ohio. She died in Iowa February 7, 1846, having had two children, Vincent and Gregory.
In 1853 Mr. Gross married Katherine Rummelhart, of Stark county birth, and who had come to Johnson county with her parents at an early date. This marriage took place in old St. Mary's church at Iowa City, and was performed by Rev. Father Michael. Miss Rummelhart was born April 14, 1830, and was reared in Stark county, Ohio, receiving but a limited education, most of it obtained by attending a subscription school some three months. She completed her education by reading good books, of which she had always been fond. Her parents, Joseph and Katherine (Gedtor) Rummelhart, were born in Alsace, Germany, and came to the United States in 1826. They were pioneers of Stark county, where they cleared a farm, and in the fall of 1852 they removed to Johnson county, Iowa, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Rummelhart had fought a number of years under Napoleon. Mr. Rummelhart, with his wife and seven children, came by water most of the way from Stark county to Chicago, thence by rail to Rockford, Illinois, and then hired teams to make the trip across the plains to Savanna, Illinois, whence they took a boat to Muscatine, Iowa, and went from there to Iowa City by stage. Their seven children were: Joseph, deceased, born in Germany; F. P., also born in Germany, is a retired farmer of Liberty township, Johnson county; Katherine, Mrs. Greg- ory Gross; Seraphim accidentally shot himself with his rifle, when he was twenty-one years old; Devold, of Iowa City; Peter, deceased; Louis, of LeGrande, Oregon. They came to a wild region when they settled in Liberty township. They were among the early members of St. Mary's church and active in
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.