USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 23
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A. R. Browne was largely reared and educated in Alta and when but six- teen years of age took a position in the bank, where he served in various capacities, winning successive promotions as he demonstrated his ability and
٠٠محمدواس
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thorough knowledge of the duties entrusted to him. His identification with the bank covers a period of twenty-one years, and since 1896 he has been its cashier. On a reorganization of the bank, under the name of the First National Bank of Alta, in 1904, he became one of its stockholders and direct- ors and continued his duties as cashier and manager. The institution now is practically under his control and the community recognizes in him a safe con- servative banker, whose business methods are reliable and who recognizes fully the obligations that devolve upon him as the eustodian of the funds of others.
Mr. Browne was married in Alta, December 4, 1893, to Miss Dora Johannessen, who was born in Iowa, and was reared in Alta. There are two daughters of this marriage, Florence B. and Mildred. The parents are men- bers of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Browne is serving as one of its trustees and its treasurer. They are both interested in the church work and are associated with many of the church activities.
Mr. Browne is a Master Mason, loyal to the teachings and purposes of the craft. He has been a supporter of the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he is now serving as a member of the eity conneil and acting as chairman of the heat and light plant. Ile is a broad- minded man, whose breadth of view recognizes, not only possibilities for his own advancement, but for the city's development as well, and his patriotism prompts him to utilize the latter as quickly and as effectively as the former.
HERBERT C. GORDON.
Herbert C. Gordon, who since 1893 has been editor and proprietor of the Newell Mirror of Newell. Iowa, was born in Gilboa, Sehoharie county, New York, JJuly 26, 1858, and is a son of Seth Edward and Anna (Freese) Gordon, who were likewise natives of New York. The former was a son of Elias Gordon, who was also born in the Empire state and was a farmer by occupa- tion. He wedded Mary Jane Goodman, and they became the parents of twelve children. S. E. Gordon and wife died in Sae county at an advanced age. The maternal grandfather of Herbert C. Gordon was John Freese, a native of New York, who also made farming his life occupation, and died when well advanced in years. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Rhoda Rose and had also reached old age when she was called to her final rest. They too had a large family.
Seth E. Gordon engaged in tilling the soil in Schoharie county, New York, but at the outbreak of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal con- siderations and offered his services to the government. He was assigned to duty with the Seventy-seventh New York Heavy Artillery, and served for three years, being a non-commissioned officer. When the war was over he removed to Iowa, settling in Sae county in March, 1866. There he engaged in farming, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land, to which he after- ward added another quarter section. His home was about seven miles from Sae City, in Douglas township, and he continued to engage actively in farming
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until his life's labors were ended in death in 1889, when he was fifty-five years of age. His wife died in 1901 at the age of sixty-six years. Both were members of the First Day Adventist church. Mr. Gordon held the office of supervisor in Sac county for many years and was an influential citizen of his community. Their family numbered three sons and two daugthers: Francis Engene, now living in Sac City; llerbert C .; Marion L., whose home is in Auburn, Illinois ; Nellie J., the wife of Charles B. Hazard. of Marathon, Iowa; and Mary A., the deceased wife of George Gordon.
Herbert C. Gordon was a lad of eight years when he came to Iowa with his parents. Ile was reared upon the home farm in Sac county, and attended the district schools until the age of seventeen years, when he began teaching. He followed that profession until twenty-one years of age, when he began learning the printer's trade in Sac City, and in 1889 came to Newell, where he entered the employ of J. C. Blair of the Newell Mirror, and also acted as assistant postmaster for four years, having charge of both the postoffice and the paper in the absence of Mr. Blair. After four years' connection with the Mirror he purchased the plant in September, 1893, in partnership with J. P. Lawton, and they continned together for nine years, when in 1902 Mr. Gordon purchased his partner's interest and has since been sole proprietor. The paper is republican in politics and the plant is an exceptionally good one for a town of this size, the office being equipped with power presses run by a gaso- line engine. The Mirror is a bright, well edited paper, fair in its discussion of public questions, and its growing cirenlation makes it an excellent adver- tising medium.
On the 29th of September, 1881, Mr. Gordon was married to Miss Eleanor L. Pierce, a daughter of Howard A. and Mandane L. (Knight) Pierce. Mrs. Gordon was born in Butte county, California. Her father was a native of Maine and lives at Bayon Lacomb, Louisana, but his wife died a number of years ago. Their children were Thomas S., Edward D., Eleanor L., Marian N., Daisy and Bertha M.
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have become the parents of four children: Grace M., Daisy A., Neva II., who are living; and one son who died in infancy. The eldest daughter is the wife of Earl C. King, of Newell ; and Daisy A. married Clarence L. Barnard, of this city, by whom she has one son, Sumner Gordon Barnard. Mrs. Eleanor Gordon died in 1900 at the age of thirty-nine years. She was a member of the First Day Adventists church and was a most estima- ble lady, whose death was deeply regretted by many friends. On the 23d of September, 1901, Mr. Gordon was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Anna Cox, the wife of Perey P. Cox, and the daughter of Rosalba Thompson.
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon are members of the First Congregational church, and he is a valued representative of several fraternal organizations. Ile belongs to Royal Lodge. No. 428, F. & A. M., of which he is senior warden. HIe also belongs to Rex Lodge, No. 242, K. P., and Kismet Camp, No. 417, M. W. A., of which he has been consul for a number of years; and to Manilla District of the Court of Honor, in which he is recorder. His political allegi- ance has always been given to the republican party and he is now serving as
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township elerk. He has been chairman of the county central committee and is an active and earnest worker in behalf of party principles. His position on a matter of vital importance is never an equivocal one, and it is well known that his influenee is always given on the side of progress, reform, development and municipal advancement.
PATRICK MORRISSEY.
Patrick Morrissey is well known as a breeder of pure-blooded cattle, and is one of the extensive and successful stock-dealers of Nokomis township. He makes his home on seetion 22. where he has one hundred and twenty aeres of good land that is well improved. The farm is neat and attractive in appear- ance and is pleasantly situated about a mile from Alta. Mr. Morrissey was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, March 25, 1862, and is a son of James Morrissey, a native of Ireland, who was reared and married in that country. He afterward emigrated to the new world, settling in Dubuque county, Iowa, among its pioneer residents. In 1871 he removed to Alta and near by pur- chased land, which he improved, just across the road from the present home of his son. He owned one hundred and sixty aeres of land but lived in town and his sons operated the farm. He was also the first seetion boss to locate at Alta and filled that position for a number of years. After losing his wife he returned to his native country in order to visit his friends in the old world and still lives in Ireland. His family numbered three sons and three dangh- ters, namely: James, who is now living in Minnesota; Michael, of South Dakota; Patrick, of this review; Marie, residing in Alta; Mrs. Jessie Wilkinson, also of Alta; and Mrs. A. C. Rader, of the same place.
Patrick Morrissey was reared to manhood in Alta, and was a pupil in the publie schools, acquiring there the education which fitted him for life's prac- tieal and responsible duties. In the periods of vacation he assisted in earrying on the home farm and after leaving school he engaged in elerking for a time. Later he was appointed postmaster of Alta under President Cleveland's first term and filled the position for four years, capably controlling the affairs of the office and discharging his duties with promptness and fidel- ity. He has also filled other public offices, serving in the town council while a resident at Alta. and also becoming officially comected with schools, acting as president of the school board of the independent district. He is now township clerk and has been a delegate to the numerous conventions of his party.
Mr. Morrissey was married in Alta, in 1895, to Miss Kittie Evans, who was born in Illinois and was reared and educated there, coming to Towa when a young lady. Following his marriage Mr. Morrissey bought land and located on his farm about 1901. He has since rebuilt and remodeled the house, has put up a good barn, has fenced the place and has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation. In connection with the raising of cereals best adapted to soil and climate he has also made a specialty of raising polled
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Durham cattle, having a number of registered stock. He now has a fine herd of thirteen head with an imported male, and has quite extensively engaged in breeding. He makes exhibits at the county fairs and has received first prem- iums on his stock. Ile also raises thoroughbred Chester White hogs and this branch of his business has also proven profitable. He was one of the origina- tors of the Farmers Elevator Company and its first president. He also assisted in the organization of the Creamery Company, in which he is a stockholder.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Morrissey have been born four daughters: Mand. Millieent, Lola and Helen, and three of them are students in the Alta schools. Mr. Morrissey is a member of the Masonie fraternity. has passed through all of the chairs in the local lodge, serving as its treasurer, and is also past master. He is likewise a member of the fraternal insurance order. He has been a director of the Fair Association for fifteen years, and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the community along lines of material, social, intellectual and moral development. His success is due entirely to his own labors, and his energy and diligence have constituted the strong features in his prosperity.
C. G. CONLEY.
The steps in the orderly progression which mark the life record of C. G. Conley are easily discernible. As the years have passed his powers have constantly expanded through excreise and activity in the business world and he has gone forward step by step until he is today oeenpying a position of prominence in commercial cireles in Buena Vista county, being now president and treasurer of the Sioux Rapids Hardware Company.
Tle was born in Madrid, New York, in 1854 and is a son of A. B. and Nancy (Kingsbury) Conley, who always remained residents of the Empire state. The son aequired his education in the public schools and was a pupil of John S. Miller. When about seventeen years of age he started ont in life on his own account and was employed for a time at farm labor but his ambi- tion led him in other directions and, coming to the west in search of broader opportunities, he secured a clerkship in a dry-goods store at Union Grove. Wisconsin, becoming an employe of the firm of Humphrey & Coburn.
Mr. Conley occupied that position for a few years and then came to Sioux Rapids, where he engaged in clerking for P. W. Goodrich for about one year. During that time he devoted all of his leisure hours to the study of telegraphy and in 1882 became assistant agent and operator with W. IF. Pratt, agent at Sioux Rapids. A few months later he was assigned to a position on the con- struction train as field operator and thus moved from place to place with the extension of the road. He was afterward stationed at Eagle Grove as operator for the Northwestern Railway Company and in 1884 he gave up his position with the Northwestern to enter commercial life, believing that his previous experience and his well earned capital now justified him in this step.
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Turning his attention to the hardware trade in Sioux Rapids, he became a member of the firm of Smith & Conley, and when J. J. Duroe was admitted to a partnership the name was changed to Smith, Duroe & Conley, and when Mr. Smith sold out the name of Duroe & Conley was assumed. They conducted the store with good success until 1892, when the business was changed, becom- ing a part of the new organization known as the Sioux Rapids Hardware Company. The original officers were J. J. Duroe. president ; F. A. Gabrielson, vice president; and C. G. Conley, secretary and treasurer. There is an authorized capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars with a paid up stock of fifteen thousand dollars. A full and complete line of everything in hard- ware and also farm implements of all kinds are carried. The business has constantly grown in volume and importance and is today one of the leading commercial concerns of Sioux Rapids and this part of the county. The build- ing which they occupy is their own property and was erected in 1901. The present officers of the company are: C. G. Conley, president and treasurer, and E. F. Conley, vice president and secretary. They are located on the most prominent corner in the town and the store is conducted along modern business lines and is bringing substantial profits.
Mr. Conley was married in 1885 to Miss Elnah Duroe, a daughter of J. J. and Agnes (Sands) Duroe, both of whom were natives of New York, whence they came to Iowa in 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Conley now have four children : Agnes E., a leading instructor in the music department of the Breck School at Wilder, Minnesota; C. E .: James; and Lucile.
Mr. Conley votes the democratic ticket and the family attend the Congre- gational church. They are interested in those things which contribute to public progress and cooperate in many movements for the general good. Mr. Conley stands as a man of strong and well defined enterprise and early realiz- ing that advancement depends upon individual effort intelligently directed he has hent his energies toward gaining that success which is the goal toward which all business men are striving. What he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and his record is that of a man whose business development has been a source of benefit to the community as well as to the individual.
JAMES HI. O'DONOGHUE, M. D).
The conscientious and zealous performance of his professional duties. combined with his comprehensive and accurate knowledge of the principles of medicine and surgery, has made Dr. James H. O'Donoghue one of the prominent and successful physicians of Storm bake. He was born in Cal- honn county, Iowa, July 8, 1868.
His father, Michael O'Donoghue, was a native of New York. He died in March. 1869. at the early age of twenty-eight years. He was a college-bred man, a fine mathematician and a capable civil engineer. In 1863 he went to Illinois and during the period of the Civil war was principal of the schools of
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Roekford, Illinois. He was one of a family of fourteen children, twelve sons and two daughters and eight of the sons were soldiers of the Union army. Michael O'Donoghue gave his political allegianee to the democratic party and was ever loyal in the support of his honest convictions. At the time of his death he was engaged in teaching in the school at Lake City, Iowa. Desiring to be at his homestead at Twin Lakes to attend a meeting of the settlers March 1, he closed his school early on Friday afternoon and set out to walk from Lake City to Twin Lakes, a distance of twenty miles across the prairie. He passed through the Gregg settlement at dusk, having easily made the first eight miles of the journey. The remaining twelve miles would be aeross unbroken prairie. no human habitation intervening, but although it was begin- ning to snow he declined the urgent hospitality of Tillman Gregg and struck fearlessly across the trackless prairie toward his distant homestead and was not again seen alive. When the three days' blizzard had abated and com- mmieation was reestablished between the settlements, the startling tidings was passed from mouth to mouth that O'Donoghue was lost in the snow and soon posses, consisting of all the able bodied settlers of the county, were tramping the prairie seeking for the body, but so thoroughly had the terrific snow storm obliterated every trace that it was not until the 20th of March that the body was fonnd by a hunter, Renaldo Gray. Mr. O'Donoghue had cov- ered over nineteen miles of the journey through the night, buffeted by the storm, only to perish within a half mile of his goal, the boundary of his home- stead. Such was the fate of a pioneer. He left a widow and two children.
Mrs. O'Donoghue bore the maiden name of Catherine Cannell and was a native of the Isle of Man. When seven years of age she accompanied her mother to Ilinois and after the early death of her husband she lived upon the claim which he had entered from the government and proved up the prop- orty. She now makes her home in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of sixty-five years, and is the wife of Rey. Dr. J. B. Trimble, a well known missionary, now acting as secretary of the Kansas City district of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. The mother of our subject is also a member of the same denomination. By her first marriage she had two children but the elder. Ida, died at the age of eleven years.
Dr. O'Donoghue pursued a public-school education, was graduated from the high school of Rockwell City, lowa, with the class of 1883, and then con- tinued his studies in Epworth Seminary of Epworth, this state, until he was graduated therefrom in 1887. In that year he came to Buena Vista county and entered upon educational work as principal of the schools of Alta, where he remained for two years. He then went to Bloomington, Nebraska, to accept the superintendeney of the schools at that place and later he accepted a position as one of the faculty of Morningside College at Sioux City, where he remained for a year. He was likewise superintendent of schools at Cor- rectionville, lowa, for four years, and during the last six years of his teaching experience he was superintendent of the schools at Storm Lake. His efforts in educational lines constituted an important element in the intellectual devel- opment of the state, for he was a capable instructor and held to high ideals recognizing the value of intellectual training and development as a prepara-
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tion for life's cares and responsibilities. His teaching was not continuous however, for at intervals he hecame a student and made that steady progress which results from close application and thoroughness in school work. He was graduated from Morningside College in 1892 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and won the degree of Master of Science on his graduation from the State University of Iowa. With broad literary and general knowledge to serve as a foundation for his professional learning, he took up the study of medieine and spent one year in Sioux City Medical College and one and a half years in Edinburgh University in Scotland. Ile is a life member of the Chem- ical Society of Edinburgh. In further preparation for his chosen calling he attended the lectures and clinies of the Ilinois Medical College of Chicago during five summers, and was there graduated in 1904. The same year he located for the practice of his profession in Storm Lake and has here since remained as an able physician and surgeon, whose ability is demonstrated in the excellent results which follow his administration of remedial agencies.
On the 30th of December, 1890. Dr. O'Donoghue was married to Miss Jeannette M. Fairburn, who was born in Dubuque county. Iowa, February 18, 1866. They have three children, Archie, Dorothy and Don.
Dr. O'Donoghue and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is equally loyal in his allegiance to the Masonic fra- ternity. Ile served as master of his lodge for a number of years and has taken the Royal Arch degrees. In polities he is independent, voting for men and measures rather than for party, yet he is never remiss in the duties of citizenship and his endorsement and aid are given to many movements for the publie good. In professional lines he is connected with the County, State and American Medical Associations and thus keeps abreast with the progress of the profession, while in the faithful performance of each day's duty he finds encouragement and inspiration for the labors of the succeeding day.
DANIEL F. KENNEDY.
Daniel F. Kennedy, a prosperous and progressive farmer and stockman residing on section 20. Washington township, where he owns and operates a rich and productive farm of two hundred and forty acres, was born near La Salle, La Salle county, Illinois, December 16, 1862. His father, John Kennedy, a native of Ireland, emigrated to the United States when a young man, first locating in the state of New York. Subsequently he removed west- ward to Illinois, becoming one of the pioneer agrieulturists of La Salle county. that state, where he opened up a new farm. There he also celebrated his marriage to Miss Ellen Wolfe, a native of Ireland. He still resides in La Salle county, being now a hale and hearty old gentleman of eighty-nine years. His wife, however, was called to her final rest in 1899. Unto this worthy couple were born four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: Daniel F .. of this review; John, who owns and operates the old homestead farm in La Salle county ; Nellie ; and Annie.
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Daniel F. Kennedy was reared on the home farm and obtained his educa- tion in the common schools. After attaining man's estate he purchased a good farm near Streator, La Salle county, and there successfully carried on agricultural pursuits for a number of years. On the 21st of February, 1901, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Flannigan, a native of La Salle county, Illinois, and a daughter of Edward Flannigan, who was also born in La Salle county and is a prosperous farmer there. Subsequent to his marriage Mr. Kennedy came to Buena Vista county, lowa, and located on the place where he now resides on section 20, Washington township. In addition to the work of general farming he is also engaged in raising and feeding high-grade stock. his carefully directed labors and capable business management bring- ing to him a gratifying measure of success in his undertakings. He has fenced and tiled the fields and altogether has a model farming property, while his residence is equipped with all modern conveniences and accessories.
Into Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy have been born four children: Mary, Alice, Mabel and Gladys. Mr. Kennedy gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy but has no desire for the honors or emolu- ments of office. Both he and his wife are devoted and faithful members of the Catholic church at Storm Lake and are widely and favorably known as people of genuine personal worth and many excellent traits of character. Recognized throughout the county as a representative and progressive agri- culturist. as well as publie-spirited citizen, the life record of Mr. Kennedy cannot fail to be of interest to many of our readers.
SCOTT CASPER BRADFORD.
Scott Casper Bradford, the extent and importance of whose business inter- ests have proved a valuable factor in the business development of Storm Lake, was born in Marion. Indiana, June 2, 1862. the only son of Casper and Sarah (Cochlan) Bradford. The father. a native of Virginia, was born in 1831 and was of English descent, tracing his ancestry back to Governor Bradford, who was chief executive of Virginia in colonial days. The family was represented by valiant soldiers in the Revolutionary war.
C'asper Bradford beeame a farmer by occupation and prior to 1840 removed from the Old Dominion to Indiana, settling in Grant county, where he entered land from the government. The district was then an unbroken wilderness, but he cleared the land of its forest growth and upon the farm which he there developed spent his remaining days. The old Bradford home- stead is still in possession of the family. As the father tilled the soil and carried on the work of the fields he became prosperous and in the latter part of his life was enabled to enjoy many of the comforts and some of the luxuries which go to make life worth living.
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