USA > Iowa > Clayton County > Portrait and biographical record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton counties, Iowa. Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 10
USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > Portrait and biographical record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton counties, Iowa. Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 10
USA > Iowa > Jones County > Portrait and biographical record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton counties, Iowa. Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 10
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On the expiration of that period Father Cooney was appointed a professor in St. Joseph's College, of Dubuque, in which position he served for four
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years. When that time was passed he was pro- moted, becoming Vice-President of the college, and in 1890 he was made President, which posi- tion he yet fills. This is a school for boys, and under the able management of Rev. Father Cooney it has prospered, being now in a thriving eondi- tion. There are at present one hundred and twenty boys in attendance, and they receive thor- ough training in all departments. In addition to the common and intermediate branches they also teach philosophy and the higher mathematics. Fa- ther Cooney is recognized as one of the most ener- getie and competent educators of the state and is well fitted for the work which he now has in charge, and St. Joseph's College under his manage- ment is meeting with splendid suceess.
RR EV. CLEMENT JOHANNES, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Dubuque, was born in Germany in 1835, and is a son of Bernard and Catherine Johannes. He spent the first sixteen years of his life in the Fatherland and in 1854 erossed the Atlantic to America, landing in New Orleans after a voyage of nine weeks. He then came up the Mississippi on a steamer to Du- buque, where he remained until the following spring. He afterwards went to Louisville, Ky., and entered the seminary at that place, there pur- suing a three years' course of study. Ile after- wards went to Milwaukee, where he remained for six years, attending St. Francis Seminary of that city, from which institution he was graduated in 1868.
In the same year Father Johannes was ordained by Bishop Henni, of Milwaukee, and was sent to Keokuk, Iowa, to take charge of St. Mary's con- gregation, of which he was pastor for fourteen months. He was then transferred by Bishop Hen- nessy to West Point, Lee County, Iowa, where the two succeeding years of his life were passed, and in 1881 he was placed in charge of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Dubuque. The church now
has a membership of about five hundred families, and in 1880 the Sacred Heart Church was set off from it with a membership of forty-five families. The house of worship was ereeted by Father Meis in 1863. It is an excellent structure with a spire two hundred and thirty feet in height. Through the instrumentality of Father Johannes a fine brick building was ereeted for a parish school. He also has under his supervision St. Mary's Orphan Asylum, which was erected with funds left by Sennes Huegel for that purpose, upon what was formerly known as the Dunean plaec.
The pastor of the Sacred Heart Church is now Father J. Baumann. His early education was ac- quired in the publie schools, after which he at- tended St. Francis Seminary, of Milwaukee, Wis., where he pursued a elassieal course and studied philosophy. He was ordained in 1871 by Bishop Henni and served as assistant pastor in Waterloo, Iowa, in Council Bluffs and in Worthington, where for three years he had charge of St. Peter's Church. He was then connected with St. Joseph College for three years, and in 1882 he was ap- pointed pastor of the church of the Saered Heart, which position he has since filled. The church, which was erceted in 1888, is a fine edifice and is 170x63 feet in dimensions. The church also owns other property, including Marquette Hall. It has now a membership of five hundred and is in a flourishing condition.
ESSE P. FARLEY, who died May 8, 1894, was President of the Farley & Loetseher Manufacturing Company, and was long a prominent citizen of Dubuque. He was held in the highest regard throughout the community and left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. A native of Tennessee, he was born April 2, 1813, and four years later was taken by his parents to St. Louis. At the age of four-
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teen he started for Galena, Ill., on the steamboat "Indiana," and when he had arrived at his destina- tion he began working in the mines as a smelter, being thus employed until 1833. That year wit- nessed his arrival in Dubuque. He sought and ob- tained employment in the grocery and general store belonging to Jolin Johnson, with whom he remained for several years.
The business career of Mr. Farley was one of success. He started out in life with no capital save a pair of willing hands and a young man's bright hope of the future. His sterling worth and strict integrity soon won him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he was brought in con- tact and he became one of the leading merchants of the city. He first opened a grocery store and his trade so rapidly increased that after a few years he was at the head of the whole- sale dry-goods firm of Farley, Norris & Co. He also embarked in other enterprises as his finan- cial resources increased and was connected with many leading industries of the city. He was a member of the wholesale grocery firm of Farley, James & Co., and of Farley & Christman, whole- sale dealers in hardware, and Farley, Rouse & Co., dealers in heavy machinery. He established all these enterprises a few years after locating in Du- buque and all proved most profitable, so that Mr. Farley became one of the wealthy citizens of the community.
In 1850 he established a line of steamboats be- tween St. Paul and St. Louis, and thereby Dubuque became the most important eity on the Mississippi between those places. Ile was also prominently connected with railroad interests, wishing to pro- vide better shipping facilities. In, the financial panic of 1857 he lost much of his property, but, undaunted, set to work to retrieve his lost posses- sions. After being interested in railroads for a time he returned to Dubuque and organized the mammoth sash and door manufacturing concern of Farley, Loetscher & Co., of which he was the heaviest stockholder and president until his death.
Mr. Farley was married in Galena in 1833 to Miss Mary P. Johnson, daughter of his first part- ner in Dubuque. She died in 1844 leaving four children, Charles W., John P., George W. and
Francis A. In 1845 he wedded Mary L. Johnson, a niecc of his first wife, and their children are Harry G., Edwin B., Jesse K., Fred H. and War- ren C.
Mr. Farley was a public-spirited and progressive citizen and did all in his power to advance the best interests of this community. On several oc- casions he served as City Alderman and was also Mayor for three terms, but he never sought po- litical preferment, and desired rather to give his entire time and attention to his business interests and the enjoyment of the home circle. He was one of the most faithful and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he gave the lot on which the church was built and long served as Trustee of the church. His life was honorable and upright in every way and he did much for the uplifting of humanity. He was a strong ad- vocate of temperance principles, and vice in every form was unknown to him. The poor and necdy found in him a benefactor, and those who worked for him found him a just and honorable employer. To his friends he was ever faithful and true, and to his family he was a loving and tender husband and father. In his death Dubuque lost one of its best citizens, for a noble life was thus ended. He became a Republican on the organization of that party.
OL. C. J. W. SAUNDERS has taken a lead- ing part in political affairs in Dubuque, and his career, both public and private, has been such as to win hin the high esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact. IIe has served as Mayor of the city and has been otherwise identified with public affairs. He was born in Germany, August 12, 1852, and is a son of John Wellington and Magdaline G. (Von Buchenbach) Saunders, who emigrated to the United States when our subject was only eleven years of age. They landed in New York City but did not tarry long in the metropolis, going thence to Philadelphia, Pa., where they made a settle-
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ment. In that place Colonel Saunders completed his cducation, which was. begun in the public schools of his native land. At the age of twelve he entered the army as a bugler, becoming a mem- ber of the Fifthi Pennsylvania Infantry under Col- onel Vest. The regiment was assigned to Sheri- dan's Division, and our subject spent most of his time in service in the Shenandoah Valley in Vir- ginia, there remaining until the close of the war, when, in 1865, lie was mustered out.
Colonel Saunders at once returned to his home in Philadelphia, where he began to learn the tradc of a cigar maker, spending eighteen months in work along that line. In 1866 he enlisted in the Regular Army, as a member of the Fifth United States Cavalry, under command of Col. W. H. Emery, and was sent to the frontier to quell the Indian troubles. The regiment was ordered to Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas and Arizona, and with it Mr. Saunders was con- tinuously in active service until 1872, when he was honorably discharged.
In the same year, our subject began buying cat- tle and shipping to different markets from Lower California to San Diego and San Francisco. His principal markets were San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles. He continued in that line of business for ten years, when he became interested in cattle raising on a ranch in connection with other parties, this ranch being located in Arizona. He still owns his ranch in Arizona, being now sole proprietor, and devotes much of his time and at- tention to the business interests connected there- with. He first came to Dubuque in 1866 on a vis- it, remaining here three months, after which he re- turned to the army.
A marriage ceremony performed in 1874 united the destinies of Colonel Saunders and Miss E. M. Streinz, of Dubuque, daughter of Joseph Streinz, who was a soldier of the Civil War. To them have been born nine children, three sons and six daugh- ters. Their home is located on Couler Avenue, and is a fine brick residence, beautifully located on a hill, which commands a fine view of the city and of the Fathers of Waters, which flows at its base.
Colonel Saunders takes a very prominent part in political affairs, and is a warm advocate of the
principles of Democracy. For threc terms lie served by appointment on the Soldiers' Relief Commission of Dubuque County. He has been honored with a number of offices; for two terms served as Alderman from the Fifth Ward, was elected Mayor in 1891 and 1892, and for four years served on Governor Boies' staff with the rank of Colonel. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' fraternities. In what- ever office he has been called upon to preside he has discharged his duties with a promptness and fidel- ity that have won him high commendation and gained him the respect of even those opposed to him politically.
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H ON. PETER OLINGER is now the chief cxecutive of Dubuque, having been elected Mayor of the city in 1894. His course in office has already demonstrated the fact that his administration will be an able one and that the best interests of the city will be carefully looked after. A native of Germany, he was born in Luxumburg, June 11, 1854, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Musell) Olinger. In the family were five sons and a daughter, but only two are now living, Peter, of this sketch, and one brother, who resides in Paris, France.
The boyhood days of our subject were spent under the parental roof and in attendance at the public schools until fifteen years of age, after which he gave his time and attention to farming for two years. In 1871, when a young man of seventeen, he bade adieu to friends and Fatherland and sailed for America. When he reached the New World he came at once to Dubuque, and in this county worked as a farm hand for eighteen months. On the expiration of that period he returned to the city, where lie embarked in the livcry business. Hc erected a new stable, fitted it up in the most approved style and for fifteen years carried on operations along that line, meeting with good suc- cess in his undertakings. He was also engaged in
CHARLES H. EIGHMEY.
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buying and selling horses, owning the celebrated horse "Keno F." In 1891 he sold his livery busi- ness and has since been dealing in horses.
Mr. Olinger was married on the 28th of Decem- ber, 1877, the lady of his choice being Miss Mag- gie Whiel, of Dubuque, daughter of Max Whiel. Both he and his wife are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and are well known people of this community. Mr. and Mrs. Olinger have six sons and one daughter.
Mr. Olinger takes quite a prominent part in po- litical affairs and keeps well informed on the is- sues of the day. In 1882 he was called to public office, being elected as Alderman from the Third Ward for a term of four years. In 1892 lie was again chosen to that position for a term of two years, and in 1894 he was elected Mayor of the city, as the candidate of the Democratic party, which position he is now creditably and acceptably fill- ing. He came to America in limited circumstances but was possessed of an enterprise, industry and determination to succeed and has steadily worked his way upward until he is now numbered among the substantial as well as among the prominent citizens of Dubuque.
HARLES HENRY EIGHMEY, of Duhuque, has since 1870 been connected with the First National Bank of this city, and is now recognized as one of the most successful and able financiers of this state. He was born in Sara- toga County, N. Y., November 23, 1834, and on the paternal side is of German descent, while on the maternal side he is of English lineage. His Grandfather Eighmey was a soldier in the War of 1812, and met his death in battle by a bullet from a British musket. The father of our subject was Leamon Eighmey. In 1848 he removed with his family to the west and cast in his lot with the early settlers of Dubuque, Iowa, where he engaged in lead mining, meeting with reasonable success in his undertakings.
Midst play and work the early boyhood days
of Charles H. Eighmey were passed. The first fourteen years of his life werc spent in his native state, and in 1848 he accompanied his parents on their removal to the west. He entered Cornell Col- lege, of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and was later a student of Mt. Morris Seminary, of Mt. Morris, Ill. When his literary education was completed he studied law in the office of ex-Governor Hempstead, was admitted to the Bar in 1860, and for ten years successfully practiced his profession, and was a member of the well known firm of Cooley & Eigli- mey. In 1870 he became Cashier of the First National Bank of Dubuque, was afterward Vice- President, and in 1890 was elected President. This bank is considered one of the solid financial institu- tions of the county, and its success is largely due to his able administration of affairs. He possesses most excellent business and executive ability, and his progressive spirit is tempered by foresight and careful management. Thic bank was organized in 1864, and now has a capital stock of $200,000.
Mr. Eighmey is also interested in various other enterprises. He is a stockholder in the Novelty Iron Works Company, of the Dubuque County Bank, and of the First National Bank of Platt- ville, Wis. . He has been President of the Nor- wegian Plow Company, and also of the Westphal- Hinds Hardware Company. He has been Presi- dent of the Board of Trade, and takes an active and commendable interest in all enterprises that are calculated to prove of public benefit.
In 1864 Mr. Eighmey led to the marriage altar Miss Elizabeth J. Stewart, of Dubuque, daughter of William G. Stewart, President of the Dubuque County Bank, and one of the old pioneers of the city, and one daughter, Augusta, blesses their union. Their home is a palatial residence, taste- fully and richly furnished, and the interior finish- ings are all of hard wood. It is one of the most beautiful homes of the city and in it Mr. Eighiney takes great delight. He cannot do too much to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of his family, and in the home circle he finds great enjoyment.
Mr. Eighmey is a member and Trustce of the Main Street Methodist Episcopal Church. The congregation have arranged to build a fine new
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church edifice, to the erection of which Mr. Eigh- mey has donated $8,000. He is a strong advocate of the principles of Republicanism, and though not a politician in the sense of offiee seeking, takes an active interest in all national affairs, as all true American eitizens should do. With the exception of the office of Deputy Collector of Internal Rev- enue, he has never held a politieal position. His life has been well and worthily spent and it is with pleasure that we present its record to our readers.
H ON. WILLIAM G. STEWART, President of the Dubuque County Bank, has for many years been identified with the polit- ieal and business interests of Dubuque, and the history of this community would be incomplete without the record of his life. He was born near Jonesville, in Lee County, Va., July 10, 1813, and is of Scoteli deseent. His grandfather, Thomas Stewart, was a native of Scotland, and soon after the revolution in Ireland emigrated to America, where he followed farming. The father of our subject, William Stewart, was also an agriculturist. He married Sarah Graham, who was born near Belfast, Ireland, and was a daughter of Dr. Will- iam Graham, who with his family emigrated to America when Mrs. Stewart was a maiden of eleven summers. In Lee County, Va., the parents of our subjeet were married and thenee removed in 1831 to Montgomery County, Mo., where their last days were spent. The mother's death oceurred in 1834, but the father survived until 1867. In their family were eight ehildren, two sons and six daughters, who grew to mature years.
Mr. Stewart of this sketch is the eldest child. His edueation was acquired in private schools, and he was reared on a farm in Virginia, being eigh- teen years of age when the family moved to Mis- souri, after which he began agricultural pursuits in his own interest on moving to Iowa. In 1832 he was employed by the Government to remove
the Oneida and Seneca Indians from Ohio to a reservation near where the eity of Ft. Seott, Kan., now stands. During these earlier years he was al- ways connected with pioneer life in one form or another. In October, 1833, he went to Galena, Ill., and was employed in the mining and smelting works of that place until the following March, when he came to Dubuque. His first work at this place was smelting lead ores and ehopping wood. He then engaged in mining and in farming, but to the latter oeeupation devoted the greater part of his time and attention for many years, becom- ing the owner of nine hundred acres of valuable land, which he placed under a high state of culti- vation, supplying it with all modern accessories and improvements. It was well improved and well stocked, and beeame one of the finest farms of the county. The well known Stewart Park is almost in the center of this tract of land and is a very beautiful park.
Other enterprises also engrossed the time and attention of Mr. Stewart. He was interested in the Dubuque Harbor Company, organized for the purpose of improving the low lands on the river front, thereby benefiting the eity, and with the same continued his connection until about 1879, when he sold his interest in the concern. He bc- came interested in the Illinois Central Railroad when it was organized to build west of the Mis- sissippi, and served as one of the Direetors of the company for several years. He was also connected with the Iowa & Northern Railroad, taking an active interest in promoting any work of transpor- tation that would increase the shipping facilities and thereby add to the usefulness, growth and prosperity of the city. In 1875 he aided in the organization of the Dubuque County Bank, was eleeted its first President and still holds that posi- tion. The concern has become one of the leading banking institutions of the eounty, owing largely to the capable management of our subjeet.
On the 2d of June, 1842, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Stewart and Miss Caroline Wil- son, of Dubuque County, daughter of Joseph Wil- son. To them have been born six children, two sons and four daughters: Jane, now the wife of C. H. Eighmey, President of the First National
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Bank of Dubuque; Louisa, wife of Dr. M. H. Waples, of this eity; Helen E. and Mary A., at home; William G., Jr., now managing the home farm; and Robert W., a prominent attorney of Dubuque. Mrs. Stewart, the wife of our subject, died Mareh 22, 1871.
Mr. Stewart has been prominently connected with the political history of this community, and is recognized as one of the leading Demoerats of this part of the state, and though by no means a politieian in the commonly accepted sense of the term, he has held a number of offiecs. In 1847 he was elected Sheriff, being re-elected twiee, and was the first Sheriff of the county after the state was organized. He was a member of the Board of Su- pervisors for four years, and in 1856 was elected State Senator for one term, during whieli time lic served on several important committees. In 1859 he was elected Treasurer of Dubuque County, which office he held for twelve years, filling the position for eight successive years, and then at a later period for two terms. The promptness and fidelity with which he has ever discharged his public duties have won him high commendation and gained the respect and confidence of his fel- low-townsmen. His labors have been of much benefit to his adopted city, and he may well be numbered among its honored pioncers.
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J PETER STENDEBACH, a real-estate, loan and insurance agent, doing business at the northeast corner of Thirteenth and Clay Streets, is one of the worthy German citizens of Dubuque, and as he is widely and favorably known in this community, we take great pleasure in presenting to our readers this record of his life, knowing that it will prove of interest to many. He was born in Nassau, Germany, in 1850, and is a son of John and Eva (Trumm) Stendebach. The father was a cooper by trade and followed that
business in early life but afterward engaged in farming. In the family were six children.
Our subjeet, who is the youngest, was edueated in the common schools of his native land, there pursuing his studies until his sixteenth year. On leaving school he engaged for three years as a travelling salesman and thus visited many differ- ent points in Germany. In 1869 he sailed for the United States, landing in New York on the 13th of May. From that plaee lic went to Milwaukee, Wis., and then visited various points in the zinc mines of that state. For six months he was em- ployed in a zinc manufactory, after which he left the Badger State and came to Iowa, settling first in Belleville, Jackson County, where he earried on general farming for a time. In the autumn of 1871, he came to Dubuque, where he spent two years, and in 1873 he went to Galena, Ill., where he engaged in the manufacture and sale of tomb stones, there earrying on a marble yard until 1876.
While at that place Mr. Stendebaclı was united in marriage with Miss Lissetta, daughter of J. A. Burriehtter, of Galena. After their marriage they removed to Burlington, Iowa, where Mr. Stende- bach made his home until 1882, when he began operating in the quarries of Louisa County, Iowa, becoming part owner of the Morning Sun Quarry. To that work he devoted his time and attention for about five years, and carried on a successful business. In the spring of 1887, he came to Du- buque and has since been engaged in the real-es- tate, loan and insurance business. He handles eity and farm property and western lands. He represents a number of fire insurance companies and is engaged in loaning loeal capital.
In 1886 Mr. Stendebach lost his wife and two children, all dying within six weeks. For liis sec- ond wife he chose Miss Mary Jaeger, daughter of Adam Jaeger, one of the prominent citizens of Dubuque. Two children of the first marriage are yet living, namely: John H. and William Dodge.
Mr. Stendebach keeps well informed on the is- sues of the day, both political and otherwise. He exereises his right of franehise in support of the Demoeraey, and is a warm advocate of its prinei- ples, although he has never had time or melina- tion for public office. He has recently erected on
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a sightly spot a beautiful frame residence two stories in height, which is now his home. He is a self-made man, who by well directed efforts has steadily worked his way upward and the success which has come to him is richly deserved. He is now doing a good business and derives therefrom a comfortable income.
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