USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 18
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Michael Quillin acquired his education in the public schools of New Jersey and of Dubuque, Iowa, and remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age. Previous to that time he spent several summers as a river man
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on the Mississippi, but finally turned his attention to farming, buying in 1867 an eighty-acre tract on section 34, Hanover township. From time to time he added to this property, and although he has recently given eighty acres to his son still owns three hundred and twenty acres, which his skill, ability and industry have made one of the finest agricultural properties in this vicinity. One hundred and eighty acres are under a high state of cultivation and the farm is well managed and well equipped in every particular, evidencing the many years of care and labor which the owner has bestowed upon it.
Mr. Quillin married, in 1867, Miss Rosa A. McGinnis, a native of Penn- sylvania, and a daughter of Michael McGinnis, who settled in Iowa in 1857 and followed farming in this state until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Quillin became the parents of fifteen children, twelve of whom survive : Phillip J., a farmer of Alla- makee county, who engaged in teaching previous to his marriage; John J., of Harpers Ferry, Iowa ; Mary, the wife of Albert Lilliard, of Union Prairie town- ship, Allamakee county; Anna Laura, the wife of Ed Collins, of New Albin, Jowa; Thomas, of Allamakee county, Iowa; Celia, who is single and living at home ; Ella, the wife of Fred Hancock, of Allamakee county, who taught school previous to her marriage ; M. J., of La Crosse. Wisconsin, a traveling salesman for the Swift Packing Company ; Edward, at home ; William, attending the State Normal School at La Crosse ; Rose Mary, a stenographer, at home; and Leon- ard, at home.
Mr. Quillin is a member of the Roman Catholic church and gives his politi- cal allegiance to the democratic party, taking an intelligent interest in community affairs without being active as an office seeker. Since 1867 he has resided upon his present farm, and his industry and well directed efforts through the years have been rewarded by prosperity, prominence and that true success which lies in the respect and esteem of his many friends.
ERNST P. LAYER.
Ernst P. Layer, living in Lansing township, is one of the progressive and substantial farmers of Allamakee county, owning about eighty-three acres of land on section 33. Born in Center township on the 29th of September, 1863, he is a son of one of the earliest settlers in Allamakee county, his father, John Layer, having come to this part of Iowa in the early '50s. He purchased a farm in Center township and gave his entire attention to its development and im- provement until about the year 1896, when he retired from active life and moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he now makes his home. He tells many interesting incidents concerning pioneer days in this section and remembers the time when the Indians were numerous upon the prairies and when it was no uncommon sight to witness an Indian deer hunt. He was himself an enthusi- astic sportsman and in his youth often wandered far from home, following the trail of the deer. He witnessed practically the entire development of this section of the state and is numbered among its most honored and successful pioneers. He married in Germany and soon after he came to the United States lost his wife. Returning to the fatherland some time afterward, he was again
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married, his second union being with Miss Louisa Souer. By his first marriage he had one son, George, who resides at Osage, Iowa. To his second union were born eight children, five of whom are living, namely: Louisa, the wife of Joseph Blumer, of North Dakota; Elizabeth, who married William Blumer, also of North Dakota; Ernst P., of this review; Herman, who makes his home in Sacramento, California; and John, a resident of North Dakota.
Ernst P. Layer was reared upon his father's farm in Center township and in his childhood divided his attention between his studies at the district school and work upon the homestead. He remained with his parents until he was thirty-two years of age and then began his independent career, renting land in Center township. He continued to develop and improve this property until about the year 1907, when he purchased the farm of eighty-three and one-tenth acres on section 33, Lansing township, upon which he resides. This is a well improved and valuable property and upon it he engages in general farming, his well directed and practical labors having been rewarded by a gratifying degree of success.
In Lansing township, on the 15th of October, 1895, Mr. Layer was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Roth, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fischer) Roth, early settlers in Lansing township. The father has passed away but the mother survives and makes her home at Church, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Layer have three children, Clara E., Theodore John and Herbert E. The parents are members of the Congregational church.
Mr. Layer gives his political allegiance to the republican party and although not an office seeker, has served capably and conscientiously as school director. He is connected with business interests of this section as a stockholder in the Calhoun Creamery Company. His energies have been largely concentrated, however, upon the development of his farm which is a valuable and productive property, bringing him a gratifying annual income, so that he is now one of the prosperous citizens of this community. He is a man of genial nature and genuine personal worth and has gained the favorable regard of his fellow citizens during the long years of his residence in Allamakee county.
JAMES HOLAHAN.
Waukon numbered James Holahan among its capitalists. He became a factor in its business circles as a pioneer implement dealer and eventually developed his business to include the manufacture of wagons and carriages. His trade extended throughout northeastern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota and his well merited success made him one of the substantial and respected residents of the state.
Mr. Holahan was numbered among the worthy citizens that Ireland furnished to Allamakee county, his birth occuring in Kilkenny. He was but a child in years, however, when the family emigrated to America, making settlement at Naugatuck, Connecticut, where the years of his youth were passed. He made his initial step in the business world by learning the trade of a decorator and painter. He was employed in that capacity in a clock factory of Naugatuck for some time but eventually the family came to Iowa, settling at Decorah, so that
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from that point onward to the time of his death Mr. Holahan was a resident of this state. In 1863 he took up his abode in Waukon. The Holahan homestead consists of a magnificent forest park fifty acres in extent. planned and planted by Mr. Holahan, and surrounds a stately, old-fashioned mansion. It is one of the show spots of the city. After becoming a resident of Waukon Mr. Hola- han opened one of the first implement establishments of the town, becoming a pioneer in that line of trade. He was not long in winning recognition for his business ability in a growing patronage. He also began the maufacture of wagons and carriages, conducting an extensive enterprise along that line. The trade not only covered Allamakee county but extended into adjoining counties until it had covered northeastern lowa and southeastern Minnesota, and throughout the entire district his name was household word for more than a generation. He was known as a most enterprising and progressive business man, carefully formulat- ing his plans and carrying them forward to successful completion. Obstacles and difficulties in his path seemed but an impetus for renewed effort that never faltered until his purpose was achieved.
Mr. Holahan was united in marriage to Miss Kate Fenelon, a native of Car- low, Ireland, and they became the parents of five sons and four daughters, namely : W. J., who is now living in Mason City, Iowa : John, who is located at Havana, Cuba ; M. F., a resident of Atlanta, Georgia: L. J., living in Dixon, Illinois ; James, who is located at Victoria, Illinois ; Nellie M., the wife of the Hon. Wil- liam S. Hart, a prominent lawyer and legislator of Allamakee county : Anna : Gretta : and Mamie, who is Sister M. Benoit in St. Xavier's Academy of Chicago.
Such in brief is the life history of James Holahan, one of the most worthy and higlily esteemed pioneer citizens of Allamakee county. He early recognized the fact that there is no royal road to wealth and that there is no excellence with- out labor. He, therefore, put forth effective effort to secure his advancement and the methods which he followed and the course which he pursued commended him to the confidence, good-will and honor of all with whom he came in contact.
JOHN HAMMEL.
John Hammel, carrying on general farming and stock-raising upon a fine tract of land of two hundred acres near Postville, was born in Frankville, Winne- shiek county, August 21, 1856, and is a son of John and Margaret (Jokers) Hammel, natives of Baden, Germany, whose marriage occurred in America. The father crossed the Atlantic in 1855, settling first in Boston, where he remained for a few months, going at the end of that time to Frankville, Winneshiek county, Towa. There he spent one year and then purchased a farm in Post township, Allamakee county, a portion of which his son now owns. He and his family continued to reside thereon until the mother's death, after which he retired from active business life, spending most of his time traveling through different parts of the United States. He lived in Virginia for one year and was for three years in the Soldiers' Home in Milwaukee. Later, however he returned to Iowa and made his home with the subject of this review, dying in the year 1903. He had
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survived his wife for seven years. He was honored as a veteran of the Civil war, having served in that conflict for nine months.
John Hammel acquired his education at the West Grove school in Post town- ship and remained at home until his marriage. In 1881 he bought eighty acres of his father's farm and also conducted the entire homestead until after the death of his mother, when he moved to his own property. Later he became the owner of the homestead, adding to his own farm and acquiring in this way a tract of two hundred acres which he still operates. Having been connected with farming since his early childhood, he is thoroughly familiar with the best agri- cultural methods and understands every detail connected with the operation of the farm. His practical labors have been rewarded by well deserved success and he is today known as one of the most progressive farmers and stock-raisers in this part of Allamakee county.
On the 4th of February, 1881, Mr. Hammel was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Harris, a native of Post township and a daughter of Elisha Harris and a sister of George Harris, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Hammel have become the parents of eleven children. Stella is the widow of Charles Cook and resides in Postville. Ralph is in the employ of the Standard Cream Separator Company and makes his home in Milwaukee. Verna is the wife of Andrew Stockman, of Milwaukee, who is employed by the John Deere Machine Company. Bertha is the wife of Lee Folsom, who resides near Postville. Charles is also a resident of Milwaukee and is employed as chauf- feur for the Solvay Coke Company. Leonard resides on a farm southeast of Postville. Ruby and Ruth are twins. The former is the wife of Frank Lawson, a farmer in Franklin township, and the latter married LaRue Webster, also en- gaged in farming in that township. Earl is operating a farm in Franklin town- ship. Augusta and Pearl are both residing at home. It is a remarkable incident that the eleven children of Mr. Hammel, all of whom are living, attended in the acquirement of their education the same school as their father, namely the West Grove school in Post township.
Mr. Hammel is a large stockholder in the Canning Factory at Postville. Fra- ternally he is affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has been a resident of this part of Iowa since his childhood and is well and favorably known here, his business reliability, his genuine personal worth and his sterling qualities of character commanding for him the respect and esteem of all who come in contact with him.
WILLIAM HART.
The pioneer history of Allamakee county would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent reference to William Hart, who for fifty-six years resided within its borders, taking up his residence in Paint Creek township in 1852. He was then a young man, ambitious and energetic, looking forward to what the future might hold in store for him as a reward for his industry and determination. A few years after his arrival here he married and established a
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home and throughout his remaining days continued a resident of this section of the state.
Mr. Hart was a native of Ireland, his birth having occurred in County Gal- way. In the year 1849 he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and after three years spent elsewhere made his way to Allamakee county in 1852, taking up his abode in Cherry Mount settlement in Paint Creek township. He found here a district largely wild and undeveloped. Much of the land was still in possession of the government and was covered with the native prairie grasses, starred with a million wild flowers in the month of June and in mid-winter covered with one unbroken dazzling sheet of snow. Mr. Hart at once took up the arduous labor of developing new land and from that time forward was closely associated with agricultural interests in this county.
It was on the Ist of November, 1855, that William Hart was united in mar- riage to Miss Alicia Conway, who was also a native of Ireland, having been born in County Roscommon. She left the Emerald isle for the purpose of mak- ing her home with a brother who was then living in Paint Creek township, Alla- makee county. She continued with him until her marriage and then went to her husband's home in the Cherry Mount settlement, where their remaining days were passed. They began with their domestic life in one of the primitive old-time log cabins, which stands as a venerable relic upon the farm which is now the prop- erty of their son Hon. William S. Hart. Year by year the father carefully tilled the fields and cultivated his crops and success rewarded him as time passed on.
Mr. and Mrs. Hart became the parents of a large family but lost two daugh- ters, Sarah J. and Nellie, in early womanhood. Their surviving children are : M. J., a resident of Waterville: J. P., who makes his home in Saskatchewan, Canada : William S .; John J., of Waterville ; Mary A., who resides in Success, Saskatchewan; and Mrs. Katie Lloyd, of Linton township. The death of the mother occurred on the 12th of June, 1897, when she was sixty-eight years of age. Her husband survived her for about eleven years, departing this life on the Ist of April, 1908. He had reached the venerable age of eighty-three years and was one of the oldest residents of the county at the time of his death, not only in point of longevity but also in length of his connection with this part of the state. His life was a busy and useful one. There was nothing spectacular in his career but he bore his part in the work of general improvement and lived to see many notable changes as log cabins were replaced by commodious and substantial frame and brick residences, as primitive farm machinery was sup- planted by the modern cultivator, reaper and harvester and as churches and schools were built, thus developing the intellectual and moral forces of the community.
T. G. FAEGRE.
T. G. Faegre owns four hundred and eight acres of rich land on sections 9 and 3. Center township, constituting the farm upon which he was born. It is a valuable property, well improved, and in its further development the owner is giving evidence of a thorough understanding of the most modern and progressive methods of agriculture. He was born August 1, 1859, and is a son of Gilbert
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MR. AND MRS. GILBERT H. FAEGRE
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H. and Catherine (Hendrickson ) Faegre, natives of Norway, where their mar- riage occurred and where their two eldest children were born. They emigrated to the United States in 1851 and in that year located on the farm in Center township, Allamakee county, Iowa, whereon their son now resides. Their first home was a cave dug in the side of a hill, but they later built a log house, which they afterward replaced by a comfortable frame dwelling. From the govern- ment the father purchased two hundred and eighty acres of land and he con- tinued to develop and improve it until his death, which occurred February 14, I904. He was survived by his wife only a few weeks, her death occurring March 10, of the same year. Both were members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and in politics Gilbert H. Faegre was a loyal republican. In their family were seven children: Martin and Hans, natives of Norway, both of whom are deceased : Mrs. S. O. Nordvold, of Pierre, South Dakota; Kasper, who lives in New York city; Albert, deceased; T. G., of this review; and Lena, who has passed away.
T. G. Faegre was reared upon his father's farm in Center township and acquired his education in the district schools. Before his father's death he assumed charge of the homestead and later bought the property, which he has since continued to develop. He has made several additions and improvements and he now owns four hundred and eight acres, the neat and attractive appearance of which evidences his careful supervision and practical methods. In addition to general farming he buys and sells land to some extent and this proves a profitable source of income to him.
Mr. Faegre married Miss Sarah Thorstenson, born in Allamakee county, a daughter of Ole and Gunhild Thornstenson, natives of Norway, the former of whom has passed away, while the latter makes her home in Paint Creek town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Faegre became the parents of six children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are Gilbert, Florence, Selma and Goldie. The parents are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and Mr. Faegre gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has served as township trustee and school director and his influence is always given for the furtherance of education and other interests which he deems essential to the welfare and upbuild- ing of the county.
JOSEPH DIXON.
Joseph Dixon, a prosperous and successful agriculturist of Hanover town- ship, owns and operates one hundred and forty acres of valuable land on section 12, and in its cultivation has met with gratifying and well deserved success. He is a native of this state, born in Winneshiek county in 1861. his parents being William J. and Celia Dixon, natives of Ireland. They came to America at an early date and settled in Massachusetts where their marriage occurred. In 1858 they settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa, and there remained until 1869 when they moved to Allamakee county, where the father died in 1913 at the age of ninety-eight years. The mother passed away in August, 1878, at the age of sixty-one years.
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Joseph Dixon acquired his education in the district schools of Allamakee county and remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age. He then turned his attention to railroad construction work and followed this line of activity until 1898 when he entered the shops of the Union Pacific system. In 1901 he made an entire change in his active interests, turning his attention to agricultural pursuits in which he has engaged successfully since that time. He owns one hundred and forty acres on section 12, Hanover township, and upon this fine property follows general farming and stock-raising, success steadily rewarding his earnest, straightforward and persistent labor.
In 1898 Mr. Dixon was united in marriage to Miss Anastacia Fitzgerald, who was born in Allamakee county, a daughter of Peter and Catherine Fitzgerald, natives of Ireland and early settlers in this part of Iowa. Both have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon have six chidlren : Celia C., born in 1899; Marie, born in 1900; Joseph F., 1901 ; Alice, 1905 ; William, 1907; and James A., 1913.
Politically, Mr. Dixon is affiliated with the democratic party and his religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Roman Catholic church. He is an upright man, interested not only in the financial but also in the moral standing of the community, and has gained the confidence and respect of his neighbors both as a substantial farmer and a useful citizen.
PATRICK WHALEN.
Among the most profitable farms located in Allamakee county is that of Pat- rick Whalen, comprising four hundred and forty-one acres on section 26, French Creek township. He is one of the early pioneers of this section, where he was brought by his mother in 1858. A native of New York, he was born in Oneida county on April 13. 1851, and is a son of Thomas and Nora (Carney) Whalen, natives of Ireland, in which country they were married. The father with his family emigrated to America and established a home in Oneida county, New York, but lived but a short time after coming to this country, passing away when his son Patrick was but an infant. In 1858 his widow and her children came to Allamakee county and here she purchased forty acres of unimproved land on section 35 in French Creek township. Courageously taking up her duties of pro- viding for the family, she undertook the cultivation of her farm and there her children grew to maturity. The mother ever continued to make her home on that property, where she passed away several years ago. Of her six children two are now living: Patrick, of this review: and Peter, who makes his home in Decorah, Iowa. Those deceased are: Elizabeth, who became the wife of John Lauchlin, of French Creek township: William, who enlisted from Oneida county, New York, for service in the Civil war and was killed during that conflict ; Thomas, who died on the old homestead in 1888; and James, who passed away at the age of twenty-one in this county.
Patrick Whalen was the youngest of these six children. He was educated in the district schools and early began to take up life's duties by assisting in the work of the farm and driving teams in order to break the land. At the age of twenty-six he had acquired the means to purchase one hundred and sixty acres,
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slightly improved, and by close application and following modern and up-to-date methods has succeeded in gaining such gratifying results that he was enabled to extend the boundaries of his farm from time to time until it now includes four hundred and forty-one aeres of fertile land. He has greatly improved his prop- erty and has erected thereon suitable and substantial barns. outbuildings and sheds and his residence is comfortable and commodious. The latest farm machin- ery and implements can be found upon his property and he is ever ready to take up new methods which promise greater yields from his acres.
In 1876 Mr. Whalen was united in marriage to Miss Julia Reagan, a native of Center township, Allamakee county, and a daughter of Daniel Reagan, one of the earliest pioneers of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Whalen have nine children, all of whom are living: Nora, the wife of P. J. MeCauley, of French Creek township; Daniel J., a plumber of La Crosse, Wisconsin ; James, who is study- ing for the priesthood ; and William T., Mary, Peter, Charles, Frank and Angela, at home.
Mr. Whalen has always supported the democratic party and is well informed upon all matters of a public or political nature. For three terms he served effi- ciently as township trustee and while in the office of school director gave evidence of his interest in the cause of education. He and his family are devout communi- cants of the Catholic church. in the work of which they take an active and help- ful interest. The career of Mr. Whalen is proof of the fact that success is but ambition's answer and what he has attained is but the natural outcome of industry and energy dominated by a progressive spirit. He is highly respected and esteemed for what he has attained, and the confidence and good-will which he receives from his friends and neighbors are highly merited.
MORTEN C. DEERING.
One of the most alert, enterprising and progressive young agriculturists of Post township is Morten C. Deering, who now operates three hundred and thirty- six acres of fine land in this vicinity, comprising the farm upon which he was born on the 2d of October, 1880. He is a son of Charles and Caroline Deering, natives of Germany, the former born on the 12th of October, 1833, and the latter in 1837. When he was about twenty-one years of age the father crossed the Atlantic and after arriving in the United States settled on the shores of Lake Superior, in Michigan, where he engaged in burning charcoal until he came to Iowa about 1871. In this state he purchased the farm in Post township, Alla- makee county, whereon his son now resides, finding it an unimproved and wild traet, which he cleared of timber before he could begin the work of develop- ment. This he carried forward with characteristic energy and determination, developing a fine farm. upon which he continued to reside until his death, which occurred on the 20th of September, 1912. He had survived his wife some years, her death having occurred in July, 1902. In their family were five children : Laura. the wife of Oliver Mackey, a farmer near Odebolt, Iowa: Frank, who is an undertaker in Washington; Minnie, the wife of Richard James, of Harvey,
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