USA > Iowa > Woodbury County > Sioux City > Past and present of Sioux City and Woodbury County, Iowa > Part 34
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Mr. MeDermott, whose name heads this re- view, accompanied his parents on their various removals until after coming to Woodbury
county. In fact, he was a lad of only ten years when the family came to this state, and there- fore he was largely reared here when north- western Iowa was a frontier distriet. He early became familiar with the labors of the farm and after his marriage he began farming on the homestead taken by his father, adjoining his present place of residence. About 1892 he removed to his home farm on section 36, Ban- ner township, where he took possession of one hundred and twenty aeres of wild and unim- proved land, not a furrow having been turned thereon, but soon the track of the plow was seen across the fields and in due course of time abundant harvests were gathered. The land is now in fine condition, showing the careful and practical supervision of the owner. He has had a fine house and commodious barn built and his energy and enterprise have resulted in the development of a very desirable property, form- ing one of the attractive features of the land- scape. In the early days he drove a stage for the Northwestern Stage Company; to-day he is one of the prosperous and leading agriculturists of his adopted county.
Mr. MeDermott was united in marriage to Miss Anna Haley and they are widely and fa- vorably known in the community where they reside. He is prominent in local Democratic eireles and has held various offiees in his town- ship, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. All who know him respect him for his genuine worth, admire him for his enterprise, and he has won the friend- ship of many with whom he has come in con- tact.
HOWARD F. SIMS.
Howard F. Sims, who is occupying the posi- tion of assistant city attorney of Sioux City, was born at Du Bois, Illinois, October 23, 1865. His father, Howard Sims, was a native of Georgia and beeame a civil engineer, following
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that profession in the south. In 1864 he re- moved to the north, settling in Du Bois and later in Tamaroa, Illinois, where he engaged in the milling business. He had been forced to serve as a conseript for two years in the Confederate service, and in 1864 with considerable difficulty he made his way northward and attempted to join the Union Army, but through physical dis- ability failed to pass the examination. His sympathies, however, were strongly with the national government and opposed to secession. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in his fraternal relations was a Mason and in his political views a Republican. He married Miss Nancy Elenor Willoughby, who was born in North Carolina and was of English lineage, while Mr. Sims is of French Huguenot descent. Mrs. Sims now survives her husband and is making her home with her son Howard F. Sims, at the age of sixty-four years. In her family were three children, the brother and sis- ter of our subject being William W. and Eliza- beth, both of whom are residents of Pinckney- ville, Illinois, where the former is engaged in the insurance business.
At the usual age Howard F. Sims entered the common schools of Illinois and is indebted to the public school system of that state for the educational privileges he enjoyed along the more specifically literary lines. He afterward learned the printer's trade at Onawa, Iowa, and was engaged in the publication of the Monona County Gazette in 1888-89. In 1890 he edited the Hartington (Nebraska) Herald and in WILLIAM H. DAYHOFF. 1891-2 published the Leeds Leader. In 1886 William H. Dayhoff, who is engaged in the undertaking business in Sioux City, was born in Thayer, Kansas, October 25, 1870. His father, the Rev. H. C. Dayhoff, now a retired minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, liv- ing at Sioux City, is a native of Hagerstown, Maryland, and for thirty years devoted his life to the work of the church in Missouri. In the spring of 1903, however, he severed active con- nection with the ministry and took up his abode he was connected with the Journal job office at Sioux City. Desirous of becoming a member of the bar, he attended the Morningside Col- lege of Sioux City, Iowa, formerly known as the University of the Northwest, matriculating in the law department in 1894 and completing his course there by graduation with the class of 1896. He was admitted to practice by the supreme court of Iowa, May 13, 1896. He then located for practice in Sioux City in the in Sioux City. In his family were ten children,
fall of 1896, and with the exception of one year his practice has been continuous here. Since the fall of 1902 he has been assist- ant city attorney and he is well qualified for the office, having a comprehensive knowl- edge of the principles of jurisprudence. In the preparation of his cases he is always thor- ough and in their presentation before court or jury he is concise yet explicit, and his posi- tion is one easily understood because of his clear presentation of the facts and the logical deductions which he draws therefrom.
In November, 1889, Mr. Sims was united in marriage to Miss Daisy B. Brandin, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Brandin, of Onawa, Iowa. She was born in Sioux City and by her marriage has become the mother of three chil- dren : Marie, Paul and Marjorie. The parents are members of the Congregational church and are widely and favorably known in social cir- eles in Sioux City. Mr. Sims gives his political allegiance to the Republican party and he is a member of several of the leading fraternal organizations, including the Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of Pythias fraternity. In his practice he has secured a good clientage, and in matters of citizenship his interest is deep, sincere and helpful.
OUR Dayhoff
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seven of whom are yet living, namely: C. S., chased a farm, making his home thereon until who is a Methodist Episcopal clergyman living 1850, when he took up his abode in Grant county, Wisconsin. There he purchased land and engaged in general farming until his death. Ilis wife also died in that county. at Meadville, Missouri; Grace K., of Sioux City; Nellie, of this city, who is a music teacher; Clarence M., a traveling salesman for Armour & Company; John F., of Sioux City, Mary, also of Sioux City, and William H.
In the common schools William H. Dayhoff began his education, which he continued in the Wesleyan University at Lincoln, Nebraska, and was graduated with the class of 1895. He came to Sioux City in the spring of 1896 and in 1898 established his present undertaking business, purchasing the same of the Milliard estate. He has since prospered in this work, has improved his quarters and has the patronage of the best families of the city.
Mr. Dayhoff was married June 20, 1902, to Miss Carrie Hazen, of Sioux City. They are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church and he is identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Odd Fellows' society. In politics he is a Republican. He has become widely known here and has gained many friends who respect him not only on account of his honorable business methods but also for his many sterling traits of character.
DANIEL M. WOODMAN.
Daniel M. Woodman is one of the best known citizens of Woodbury county, where for many years he has carried on business enterprises, while during the past twelve years he has en- joyed a well earned rest, living retired in Leeds. Because of his wide acquaintance, his long resi- dence in this part of the state, and his genial, friendly nature, he is known throughout the county as "Unele Dan" Woodman.
Born in Burlington, Vermont, April 13, 1831, he is a son of David and Kesiah (Mas- ters) Woodman, both of whom were natives of New England, whence they removed to Canada, settling near Whitby, where the father pur-
Daniel M. Woodman acquired a good educa- tion in the schools of Whitby, Canada, which he attended until eighteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Grant county, Wisconsin, where he carried on general farming until he came to Iowa. In 1872 he settled in Plymouth county, near the Woodbury county line, entered land, began its development and cultivation and continued to engage in general farming there for seven years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Sioux City and became a mate on a boat on the river, being thus employed for some time. He afterward secured a position on the transfer boat and was thus employed for one year, subsequent to which time he was con- nected with the Sioux City waterworks for five years. He then retired to private life, save for the supervision of his property interests. He was formerly the owner of several houses and lots in Sioux City, which he has recently sold. He then removed to Leeds, a suburb of the county seat, and purchased his present home at No. 4500 Arthur avenne. He has also in- vested in other building lots in Leeds, which he now owns.
Mr. Woodman was married in Grant county, Wisconsin, to Miss Barbara Williams, a native of Prince Edwards island, and a daughter of John and Catherine Williams, who lived on that island. They removed to Canada and settled in Grant county, Wisconsin, in 1850, there car- rying on farming. Both parents have now passed away. There were six children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Woodman, of whom Cather- ine, the eldest, is deceased. Minerva is the wife of William M. Lambert, who is janitor of the Mann school in Sioux City. Rosetta E. is the widow of Thomas B. Farrell, who was a native of Indiana and was there reared and educated.
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He went to St. Louis at an early day and was employed as an engineer on a steamboat for more than twenty years. He then came to Sioux City about 1880 and was engineer on the trans- fer boat here for several years, after which he was engineer at the Sioux City Water Works until 1894, when he returned to St. Louis, be- ing employed as an engineer on a boat which sailed from that port until his death. He died January 31, 1903, at the age of fifty-nine years, and his remains were interred in Floyd ceme- tery, at Sioux City, where he had been so widely and favorably known, having many friends here who felt the deepest regret at his death. He had many admirable traits of char- acter and was respected by all who knew him. Mrs. Farrell spends part of her time in Sioux City, where she has property, and the remainder of the time with her father in Leeds. She has one child, Hazel. David, fourth child of Mr. Woodman, died in infancy. Luey died at the age of three years. Annie is the wife of John Osmund, who resides on a farm in Woodbury county, six miles from Sioux City.
Mr. Woodman is independent in his political views, voting for principle rather than party. He has held several minor offices in Sioux City, and in his public relations, as well as his pri- vate life, has ever been true to the duties de- volving upon him. His habits have been in most respects extremely exemplary. He has never used tobacco or intoxicants in any form and his has been a elean, upright life, such as has gained him the confidence, respect and good will of many friends.
JOHN FITZGIBBON.
John FitzGibbon, who reached the advanced age of eighty-one years and was classed with the most venerable and honored citizens of the county with which he was identified from its early pioneer days, was born in County Lim- erick, Ireland, on the 10th of February, 1823,
and died on the 12th of May, 1904, at his home in Sioux City. He was a son of Thomas and Mary (Harnett) FitzGibbon. The father was a farmer in Ireland and in 1825 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in New York city. After nine years, however, he continued his westward journey to Indiana, where he engaged in farming up to the time of his death. His wife passed away in Ireland.
John FitzGibbon pursued his education in the schools of Ireland and there began learn- ing the trade of stonemason and stonecutter. He afterward crossed the Atlantic to America, landing in Boston, Massachusetts, on the 20th of May, 1846. There he worked at his trades for two years, building bridges. He spent some time at Loekport and at Cape Cod and in 1848 located in Exeter, New Hampshire, where he also followed his ehosen vocation until his removal to Sioux City. In Exeter he was employed by John S. Wells, whose ambition was to found a city in the west. He made a trip for that purpose but had not the means for the venture. On his return, however, he gave such excellent reports of the west that Mr. FitzGibbon resolved to make his home in the Mississippi valley. He had traveled from New England with Jeremiah Kelly, still a resi- dent of Sioux City, proceeding down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to St. Louis and thence up the Missouri by packet to his destination. Here he found a little log postoffice and land offiee near the levee, while the business houses were on Pearl street.
Mr. FitzGibbon arrived on the 20th of May, 1857, and soon became a factor in the business development of the young and rapidly growing village. Under contracts made by him were erected Sioux City's first buildings of any pre- tensions, and he laid the foundation for the Mondamin Hotel. He followed farming to some extent, but largely engaged in contracting on the railroad, construeting many miles of the first railway lines that entered this place. He built twenty-five miles of the Milwaukee road
JOHN FITZGIBBON.
MRS. JOHN FITZGIBBON.
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in 1870 and in 1872 constructed many miles forts of life and many of its luxuries. Ile had of the Dakota & Southern Railroad, while later a very wide acquaintance in Sioux City, where he long maintained his home and where he was honored as a pioneer resident and revered patriarch of his community, receiving the ven- eration and respect which should ever be ae- corded to those who reach advanced years and whose lives have been exemplary of the worthy citizen and upright man. he built two miles of narrow gauge road in Nebraska. He made the big ents between Sioux City and Riverside and also took and ex- ecuted contraets of a similar nature elsewhere, while his business interests became extensive, important and profitable. In the fall of 1861 he put aside all personal considerations, how- ever, in order to enter the military service of his country, joining Company B, of the First Dakota Cavalry, which was engaged in pro- teeting the frontier settlers against the in- ALPHONSO J. MeLAUGHILIN, M. D. vasions of the Indians. Thus he served until 1865, when he received an honorable discharge.
On the 4th of May, 1851, Mr. FitzGibbon was united in marriage to Miss Mary Donovan, a daughter of Michael Donovan, a native of Ireland. They became the parents of four children, but Catherine and John died at the ages of three and four years respectively. Richard, the only living son, established and conducted the FitzGibbon drayage and van line until January, 1901, and is now traveling in California for his health. Mary Elizabeth, the only living daughter, is the wife of M. E. Follis, a city detective. They have had ten children, three of whom have passed away, while those living are Mayme M., Loretta, Ed- mond, Valentine C., Josephine MI., Leon R., and Milton E., Jr. While engaged in farming pursuits Mr. FitzGibbon pre-empted a home- stead on Elk ereek, across the Missouri river, and laid out ('reston Park. There he built the first schoolhouse in northeastern Nebraska, but the desire to give his children better educa- tional facilities prompted him to return to Sioux City.
Mr. FitzGibbon was a member of the Catho- lie church and of the Hibernian Society. In his active business career he saw opportunity for judicious investment in real estate and be- came the owner of several residences, the rental from which furnished him a good income that supplied him with all the necessities and com-
Dr. Alphonso J. MeLaughlin, who, associat- ed with his brother, is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Sioux City, un- der the firm name of MeLaughlin & MeLaugh- lin, was born July 17, 1876, in Toronto, Can- ada. His parents, Philip B. and Ellen Me- Laughlin, were also natives of Toronto, where the father engaged in dealing in grain and in operating grain elevators. Ile died in 1899, and his widow, who is still living, now makes her home with her son Alphonso, who is the youngest of her five children. Three of the brothers, D. F., M. B. and A. J. MeLaughlin, are engaged in the banking business in North Dakota.
In early boyhood Dr. MeLaughlin became a resident of Kentucky, where he attended the public schools, and later the Kentneky Univer- sity, in which he completed a course in medicine and was graduated with the class of 1897. After spending one year in hospital work, dur- ing which he gained broad and valuable expe- rience, he came to Sioux City and associated with his brother, P. B. MeLaughlin, he is now engaged in practice. He makes a specialty of surgery, in which he is very skillful, having in- timate and correct knowledge of the component parts of the human body and the onslaughts made upon them by disease or injury or trans- mitted from ancestors. He has successfully performed some very difficult operations dur- ing his residence in Sioux City and has made
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for himself an enviable reputation. He belongs to the American Medical Association, the Iowa State Medical Society, the Woodbury County Medical Society, the Missouri Valley Medical Society, the Sioux Valley Medical Society and the Northern Iowa Medical Society. Frater- nally Dr. MeLaughlin is connected with the Knights of Columbus, while politically he is a Democrat and religiously is a Catholic.
MRS. WILHELMENA NOLEN.
Mrs. Wilhelmena (or Minnie) Nolen, well known in Sioux City, was born in Guttenburg, Sweden, in 1862. Her father, Parr Parson. also born in Sweden, is still living there at the age of seventy years. He is a large landowner, and belongs to the Swedish Lutheran church. He married Johanna Jones, who was born in Sweden in 1838, a daughter of Olaf Jones, who held extensive landed interests in Sweden. She too was a member of the Lutheran church and her death occurred in 1900. In the family were five children: Mrs. Nolen; Tillie; John, of Sioux City; Helga, who is married and lives in Sweden; and Ellen, at home.
Mrs. Minnie Nolen acquired her education in the public schools of her native place and pursued a special course in order to perfect herself in a business way. She was married in 1881 to K. W. Nolën, of Sweden, who was a landowner of that country. They came to the United States in 1885 and located in Wake- field, South Dakota. Before coming to this country Mrs. Nolën entered a school in order to learn the laundry business, serving a regular apprenticeship and becoming familiar with all the details of every department of the busi- ness. At Wakefield she secured a location, opened a laundry, and remained there for two years, at the end of which time she sold her building and her business and came to Sioux City. Here she purchased the Laurel laundry which she conducted for nine years, and on dis-
posing of that she took a trip to Europe. After four months she returned to Sioux City and purchased the Millsbaugh, then called the Na- tional, laundry and finally bought the Fraser laundry, combining the two under the name of the Nolen & Fraser laundry. She is the sole proprietor and business manager and James R. Fraser, whose name appears in the firm style, is the superintendent. The Nolen & Fraser laundry ranks with the best enterprises of the kind in this part of the state and the business has been a very prosperous one under the man- agement of Mrs. Nolën and the superintendence of Mr. Fraser.
Mrs. Nolen has but one child, Hannah Caro- line Nolën, who was born in Sweden, March 7, 1883. She went through the public schools of Sioux City, spent three years in the high school and then entered the National Park Seminary, near Washington, in the fall of 1901. She afterward completed her education in the Sennecker School for Young Ladies in New York city. In 1898 Mrs. Nolen pur- chased the elegant residence built by Charles Clark, at No. 517 Jennings street, where she and her daughter now live amid the comforts and luxuries of life.
GEORGE H. CUMMINGS.
George H. Cummings, who is secretary of the Sioux City Seed & Nursery Company, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in 1850. He ac- quired his preliminary education in the com- mon schools and afterward continued his studies in the Hopedale Normal College in Harrison county, Ohio, becoming a graduate of that in- stitution. His superior educational advantages, his improvement of such opportunity and his strong natural mental qualification well equipped him for educational work, and fol- lowing his graduation he went to Seward, Ne- braska, where he accepted the position of su- perintendent of schools, acting in that capacity
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from 1881 until 1884. In the latter year he came to Sioux City and upon the organization of the Sioux City Seed & Nursery Company he beeame connected with the new concern as its secretary aud has since been identified with the corporation in this capacity. He is a man of good business ability, progressive and enter- prising in spirit and during the twenty years of his residence here he has become prominent and widely known in this section of the state. His popularity is well deserved as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags. He has deep interest in the ma- terial, intellectual and moral upbuilding in the community and has co-operated with his fellow townsmen for advancement and progress along these lines.
OTTO J. RAHN.
With the business interests of Smithland Otto J. Rahn is prominently identified, being proprietor of a harness and saddlery store at that place. He is a native of Germany, born July 14, 1870, and is a son of Carl W. and Wilhelmina (Gantz) Rahn, also natives of the fatherland, the former born in Germany, Feb- ruary 3, 1838, and the latter in Germany, August 30, 1842. They were married in that country and ere leaving their native land one son and three daughters were born to them. Our subject's paternal grandfather was Carl Rahn. It was about 1871 that Carl W. Rahn brought his family to the new world and set- tled in Onawa, Iowa, where they spent five years, after which they located on the Sioux river in Monona county, where the following three years were passed. For four years they made their home in Burt county, Nebraska, and then removed to Whiting, Iowa, where they lived for four years. Two years were then passed at German City, Woodbury county, and in 1885 they took up their residence in Smith-
land, which has since been their place of abode. Here the father of our subject eonduets a boot and shoe store and does repair work also. Po- litically he is a stalwart Democrat and re- ligiously both he and his wife are earnest and consistent members of the Lutheran church. To this worthy couple have been born fourteen children, those still living being Eda, Bertha, Anna, Mollie, Maria, Otto J., Carl, Ernest and Eddie.
Otto J. Rahn was eighteen months old when brought by his parents to the United States and he accompanied them on their various removals during his boyhood and youth. He attended school in Decatur, Nebraska, and Onawa and Whiting, Iowa, and received a good practical education. For several years he has devoted his time and attention to harness-making and opened his present shop in Smithland in 1902. By fair and honorable dealing he has built up a good trade which is constantly increasing and he well merits the confidence and trust reposed in him.
On the 2d of February, 1902, Mr. Rahn mar- ried Miss Kate Gambs, who was born in Smith- land, June 1, 1884, and was here reared and educated. Her father, Peter Gambs, is one of the oldest settlers and business men of Smith- land and is now living upon his farm near that place. By his ballot Mr. Rahn supports the men and measures of the Republican party, and in his social relations is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America.
FRANK CLARK.
Frank Clark, who is engaged in the livery business in Correctionville, was born upon the old home farm at Birkenbog, Banffshire, Scot- land, a son of William and Mary (Runcie) Clark, who were also natives of that country. The father was born in the parish of Kind Ed- ward and became a farmer, owning and operat- ing a tract of land of two hundred and forty
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acres. His father, James Clark, was also a na- tive of the county of Banff, and in the parish of Alvah, in that county, occurred the birth of Frank Runcie, the maternal grandfather.
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