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 14
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 14
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 14
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In 1867 our subjeet commenced his studies at the University of Notre Dame, Ind., where he spent one year. He then entered St. Francis Seminary near Milwaukee, where he completed his studies. In that seminary, March 25, 1874, he was ordained to the priesthioood by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Henney, and was appointed to attend to the spiritual wants of Catholie settlers scattered over western Iowa. In that capacity he spent six years, which he looks baek upon as among the most blessed and useful of his life. The position was by no means a sine- eure. His duties were arduous and a severe tax upon his physical constitution. Having no home he traveled with satehel in hand, securing lodging and meals at private houses. During this time he organized and attended the charges at Hamburg, Shenandoah, Red Oak, Villisea, Malvin, Sidney, Nodaway, Blumer Settlement, Glenwood and Ne- ola (all in Fremont and Page Counties), Mt. Car- mel, Carroll, Rozell, Arcadia, Wall Lake, Odebolt and Ida Grove, in Ida County. He was the first
priest who ever said mass in the county last named. Churches were built under his direction at Ilanı- burg, Shenandoah, Red Oak, Villisca, Carroll, Breda, Wall Lake, Ida Grove, Odebolt, Blumer Settlement and Arcadia.
During 1880 Father Pape was called from the western part of the state to the east and appointed to the charge at Lansing, Iowa. Six months later he was sent by the Bishop to Dubuque to form the congregation in the north part of the city, where in 1881 the Church of the Sacred Heart was built. Later the pastor's residence was ereeted and the school organized. Father Pape's health being somewhat impaired he desired to be relieved from his charge in Dubuque, and was thereupon trans- ferred to his former home in New Vienna. For twelve years he has had charge of the church at this place, and meantime has greatly promoted the welfare of the eongregration. In addition to re- organizing and building up a large and flourishing school he was instrumental in securing the erection of the house of worship. This is a commodious stone structure, one of the finest edifiees in the state. The interior decorations are beautiful and display the most refined taste on the part of Father Pape, who is one of the best art crities in the state.
New Vienna has been justly named the home of priests, for from that place sixteen young nien have gone forth into aetive priesthood, and there are now ten students preparing for that holy office. By the Catholies of the state Father Pape is well known and highly esteemed for his devotion to duty and superior ability. By the people also, irrespective of denominational preferenees, he is highly respected as a citizen of broad and noble spirit and liberal culture.
J AMES KELLY is a representative of the inercantile interests of Dubuque, being the senior member of the firm of Kelly & Son, dealers in books, stationery and periodicals. They have a well appointed store, equipped with everything found in a first-class establisliment of
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the kind, and carry a large and well assorted stoek of books and stationery, together with all the latest periodicals. The members of the firm are pleasant, genial gentlemen, who try earnestly to please their customers, and by their courteous treatment and honorable dealing they have won a liberal patronage.
Mr. Kelly, whose name heads this record, is a native of the Emerald Isle, and attended the pub- lic schools of that country until sixteen years of age. In the spring of 1852 he sailed for the United States, hoping to find here a home and fortune. For two years he lived with an unele at Lancaster, Pa., and attended the high school. For two years he engaged in clerking in a general store owned by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Pennsylvania Railroad Company. On the expiration of that period he determined to eontinue his journey westward, and in accordance with this resolution eame to Dubuque, where for two years he was employed as a salesman by the firm of McGuire & Co., dealers in books and sta- tionery. In 1853 he began business for himself on a small seale, opening a news stand which he stocked with periodicals and home newspapers. He was the first man to establish a news stand in the state. His business inereased with the growth of the city's population, and he added a stoek of books and stationery. He is now one of the oldest news and book dealers, in years of continuous business, in the state. He counts his customers by the hundreds, for his courteous treatment al- ways insures the continuance of patronage when onee obtained. His store is located at No. 747 Main Street, and is 21x70 feet in dimensions.
In 1865 Mr. Kelly was united in marriage with Miss Katie Fitzpatrick, daughter of John Fitz- patrick, an old and highly respected eitizen of Dubuque, who eame hither in 1840. Unto our sub- jeet and his wife have been born seven ehildren, five sons and two daughters, namely: three boys who died when young; Clermont D., who is now elerking in Chieago; Joseph T., who is now asso- eiated with his father in business, under the firm name of James Kelly & Son; and Mary and Isabel, who are yet at home. Mr. Kelly and his family are all members of St. Raphael's Catholic Church.
They reside at No. 394 Bluff Street, and their home is noted for its hospitality, its doors being ever open for the reception of their many friends. They are highly esteemed, and with pleasure we present to our readers this record of their lives. Mr. Kelly is a self-made man, who entered upon liis business eareer at an early age in the humble eapaeity of a elerk. Thus he labored until he lad acquired a sum sufficient to establish a small news stand, when he began business for himself. Steadily has he worked his way upward, and his resolution, enterprise and perseveranee have brought him well merited suecess.
LIHU J. WOOD is a progressive, wide- awake business man of Anamosa, where he has a finely equipped elothing establish- ment. He is a native of Ohio, having been born in Alliance, December 25, 1834. His father, Robert Wood, and his grandfather, Thomas Wood, were natives of Virginia.
The maiden name of our subjeet's mother was Abigail Gaskill, a native of Ohio. Her father was a well-to-do farmer of that state and there spent the remainder of his days in farm pursuits. Grand- father Nathan Gaskill and his wife were Quakers. The original of this sketeh attended the district school near his home and taught six terms of school in Ohio, Indiana and Iowa. Ile was a student in Mt. Union College, Ohio, from which he was graduated with honors with the Class of '62.
The next month after leaving college our sub- jeet offered his serviees to the Union army and was mustered into Company F, One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Infantry, which was assigned to the Twenty-third Army Corps. Ile partiei- pated in the battles of Nashville and Chattanooga, besides numerous engagements of minor import- ance. In 1864 he went with his regiment to Lex- ington, Ky., thence to Knoxville, Tenn., where they were stationed for a time.
In September, 1865, young Wood was honora- bly discharged and mustered out of service; he
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was made chief clerk at the headquarters of the Department of Kentucky at Louisville, under Gen. Jeff C. Davis and Maj .- Gen. John M. Palmer for one year. While there he was married May 16, 1866, to Miss Jennie N. daughter of David Stewart. She was a native of Ohio. After his marriage our subject taught the Fairview (Iowa) school, of which he was Principal during the winter of 1866-67, and the following year came to Anamosa, where he formed a partnership with H. T. Curry, the firm operating under the title of Curry & Wood. They were the proprietors of a fine mer- chant tailoring and men's furnishing establish- ment, and the following February our subject purchased his partner's interest in the business, since which time he has operated with splendid success alone.
Mr. Wood has always taken a great interest in the welfare of his community, serving his fellow- citizens in whatever manner he could. For three years he was a member of the School Board of the city and the City Council, and at one time was Vice-President of the Anamosa Water Works, of which he was one of the stockholders. He also had an interest in the Anamosa Driving Park Associa- tion, and in social affairs was active in the Fred Steel Post No. 4, G. A. R. He attended, as the i delegate from his Congressional District, the Grand Army Encampment in 1890, held at Boston, Mass. He is a stanchi Republican and has served as a member of the Congressional and County Central Committees for several years; he always takes an active part in the political campaigu, has fre- quently been sent out by the central committee as a campaigner, and in the language of ex-Congress- man Maj. S. S. Farwell, has become quite an orator. He never tires in the good work, believing it to be the duty of every loyal American to exert his influence in behalf of the principles of the Repub- lican party. Mr. Wood is a prominent Mason, belonging to Anamosa Lodge No. 46, A. F. & A. M., and Sinai Chapter No. 66, R. A. M., and also Mt. Olivet Commandery No. 36, K. T., of which he has served as Eminent Commander two terms.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Wood are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which they take an active part, and the former has been Su-
perintendent of the Sunday-school a number of years. In 1890 Mr. Wood was appointed Post- master at Anamosa under Harrison, and served the people faithfully for four years. In this position lie was ably seconded by his wife, who served as assistant.
OHN JOSEPH LUECK. The residence of this gentleman is on section 12, Bremen Town- ship, Delaware County, where for many years he has been engaged in agricultural work. The property is well improved, having good fences, ample farm buildings, the latest machinery and a large garden plot and orchard. Through care and cultivation the soil produces the very best results, and throughout the entire county there is proba- bly no farm more valuable than this.
The Lueck family is of German origin and the subject of this sketch was born near Vechta, Olden- burg, June 15, 1823. His parents, Henry and Katherine Lueck, natives of the same province, reared three children, the eldest of whom, Henry, died in Bremen Township in 1883; the youngest, Bernard, became a sailor and died on the ocean about 1852. Our subject is the second in order of birth. In January, 1846, the family came to Amer- ica and after landing in New Orleans proceeded northward to Cincinnati, Ohio. Soon afterward they came to Iowa, and settling in Delaware Coun- ty purchased eighty acres of unimproved land sit- uated near New Vienna. As time passed by, one hundred and twenty acres were added to the farm and substantial improvements were introduced. The mother died in 1871 and the father about 1825. The father died in Germany and the mother in Iowa. They were a worthy couple, industrious and energetic, and early instilled in the minds of their sons habits of thrift, honor and self-reliance.
In the excellent schools of his native land our sub- ject acquired a good German education, and since coming to America he has gained a thorough knowl- edge of the English language. Early becoming fa- miliar with the farm work, he chose agriculture as his life occupation, and with what success we have
BENJAMIN MCCLUER, M. D.
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already noted. In 1851 he was united in marriage with Miss Bernadina Johannes, a native of Ger- many, who came to this country the year of her marriage. She had four brothers and one sister, the latter residing in Bremen Township. The brothers were: Henry, formerly a resident of Dubuque Count- ty, but who died iu 1890; Bernard, who came to America but returned at once to Germany, where he died; August, who remained in the Fatherland; and Rev. Father Clemence Johannes, of Dubuque.
Mr. and Mrs. Lueck arc the parents of eight chil- dren, namely: Dina, Clement, Lizzie, Mary, Jose- phinc, Anton, Anna and Catherine. The two sons have charge of the home farm, and under their care- ful supervision it fully maintains its reputation as a highly cultivated estate. The family is held in high csteem socially and is prominently identified with the Catholic Church of New Vienna, in the ercetion of which Mr. Lueck aided. His political preferences are with the Democratic party, and he gives the influence of his ballot to its men and measures. His life illustrates what it is possible for a man to accomplish, though he may start in busi- uess without friends or capital. Through perse- verance and industry he has gained a fair amount of this world's goods and an honorable placc among the citizens of Bremen Township.
B ENJAMIN McCLUER, M. D., is one of the oldest physicians of Dubuque, but at this writing is not engaged in active prac- tice, having retired to private life. He was born in Franklinville, Cattaraugus County, N. Y., on the 8th of May, 1824, and is a son of Benjamin McCluer, a native of Vermont, who followed farn- ing throughout his life. His death occurred Janu- ary 24, 1832. His father, Joseph, was of Scotch parentage, being a son of James McCluer, who was a native of Scotland and the founder of the family in America. The Doctor's mother bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Barber. She was also born in Vermont and was of Scotch parentage. Her death occurred January 25, 1844.
Dr. McCluer is the only survivor in the family
of six children, of whom lie was the fourth in order of birth. His boyhood days were passed in lis native state. His education was acquired in the public schools and in Genesee Wesleyan Scininary, at Lima, N. Y., where he pursued his studies for scv- eral ycars. With a desire of entering the medical profession, he began reading along that line in the office of Dr. William C. Dwight, of Moscow, Liv- ingston County, N. Y., after which he entered the medical department of Harvard University. Hc also attended one course of lectures in Cleveland, Ohio, and afterward pursued a third course in Bos- ton, Mass., being graduated from the Medical De- partment of Harvard University in March, 1852. He began practice in Hollistou, Middlesex Coul- ty, Mass., where for four years he made his homc.
In 1856 Dr. McCluer came to Dubuque, where he opened an office, and where he has since made his home. He was engaged in general practice until 1861, when he was appointed Surgcon of the Ninth Iowa Infantry, being commissioned by Governor Kirkwood, of Iowa, on the 10th of Sep- tember. He served under Gencral Curtis in Mis- souri aud Arkansas, remaining at the front for two ycars, after which he spent eight months at home. On the 4th of February, 1864, he was commis- sioued by Abraham Lincoln Assistant Surgeon, U. S. V., of the Medical Department and assigned to duty in the hospital at Madison, Ind., where hc remained for nine months, after which he was placed in charge of a hospital at Louisville, Ky. September 30, 1864, President Andrew Johnson commissioned him Surgcon, U. S. V. In February, 1865, he went to the field from the hospital serv- ice by making personal request of the medical di- rector at Louisville, Ky., and received orders to report to Maj .- Gen. J. H. Wilson, by whom he was detailed upon the staff of Gen. E. M. McCook, who commanded the First Division of the Cavalry Corps. On the 22d of April he reached Macon, Ga., and was placed in charge of the medieal de- partment of that state, in which he remained until he was relieved from duty, December 15. He was discharged from the service at Washington, D. C., February 29, 1866, having in the meantime at- tended lectures at Bellevue Medical Hospital in New York City. When in Georgia, at the request
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of General Wilson, he was brevetted Lieutenant- Colonel November 17., 1865, an honor which was conferred upon him without his solicitation or knowledge.
In June, 1866, the Doctor returned to Dubuque and resumed practice, which he continued until November, 1893. when he retired to private life. In his political belief he is a Republican, and maintains a warm interest in party affairs. His religious connections are with the First Congre- gational Church of Dubuque. His brother, who was a prominent attorney of Minnesota and was on the Bench for a number of years, died sud- denly in 1893 of heart disease, and the Doctor is now the only surviving member of the family. In the line of his profession he was noted for his skill and ability, and gained an enviable reputa- tion not only among his patrons, but also in the medical fraternity. He was faithful to his coun- try in her hour of peril, and is recognized as one of the valued citizens of Dubuque.
OHN SAUSER, JR., one of the old settlers of Iowa, and a leading farmer residing on sec- tion 35, Dubuque County, was born July 17, 1837, and is of German descent. His parents, John and Margaret (Kurt) Sauser, were natives of Germany, having been born and reared in Lux- emburg. The father was born July 9, 1808. They were married in that country and came to America in 1848, settling in Dubuque County. Iowa was at that time a wild, unbroken territory; a very few families were scattered over the coun- ty, the nearest neighbor being from ten to fifteen miles away. Mr. Sauser purchased a few acres of land in Cascade Township and immediately began the arduous task of clearing and preparing it for a home for himself and family, undergoing hard- ships and privations that only pioneers of a new country know anything about.
Here he reared a family of eight children, four of whom are living. John, our subject; Kate, now Mrs. Smith; Mary, now Mrs. Koop; and Catherine,
the wife of Mr. Knepper. The father is still liv- ing at the good old age of eighty-six years, and makes his home with his children. The wife and mother passed peacefully away April 10, 1872. Both were members of the Catholic Church.
Our subject was only eleven years of age when he came to this country with lus parents. His educational advantages were poor, having only attended school for a short time in Luxemburg before his parents emigrated to this country, and after his arrival here other duties presented them- selves and he was only able to attend school for three short months. A great deal of his time, however, was spent in reading, and in this manner he has kept pace with current events and is well posted on the issues of the day.
Mr. Sauser remained with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age, when he purchased the old homestead from his father, and about the same time he was married to Miss Eliza- beth Knapp, a native of Germany, and to them have been born five children: John, who married Elizabeth Harhard, and is the father of four chil- dren; Maggie, the wife of J. P. Streng, living in Cascade, and the mother of five children; An- thony, who married Miss Annie Fernes (they re- side in Cascade and are the parents of two chil- dren), Helen at Cascade and Mary, who makes her home in Chicago, Ill. Mrs. Sauser departed this life April 10, 1873.
Our subject was married the second time, Jan- uary 30, 1874, to Miss Mary Streng, who was also a native of Germany, and was born in 1850. They became the parents of eight children, all living: Annie, Nicholas, Catherine, John Peter, Michael, Josephine, George Joseph and Paulus. Mr. Sauser was again called upon to give up his life's com- panion, May 10, 1891. Mrs. Sauser passed to that better land leaving a large family and a host of friends to mourn her loss. The children have all received good educations.
John Sauser, Jr., has ocenpied the farm on which ' he now resides since 1860. He owns three hundred and sixty-seven acres of valuable land. The home farm consists of one hundred and ninety- five acres all under cultivation and well improved. A part of the first house still stands, but Mr.
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Sauser has added to it and it is now a large and comfortable home. He has also built good, sub- stantial barns and outbuildings. He carries on mixed farming and is very successful, having made agriculture a life-long study and he is con- sidered authority on all matters pertaining to that industry. The Sauser family are all members of the Catholic Church. In polities our subject is a Democrat, always supporting the candidates of that party with his right of franchise. He has oe- cupied many official positions. For fourteen years he has served as Trustee of Cascade Town- ship, and is the present Road Supervisor and has held that position for six years.
HARLES H. GREGOIRE, a retired produce dealer of Dubuque, has been in many ways connected with the growth and develop- . ment of this city, and the record of his life goes to make up a part of its history, for as an eminent writer has said, the history of a place is best known in the lives of its citizens. The gentleman whose name heads this record was born on the 10th of June, 1821, in Ste. Genevieve County, Mo., and is of French descent. His parents, Charles C. and Eu- lalia (Pratt) Gregoire, were natives of Philadel- phia, Pa., and Ste. Genevieve, Mo., respectively. In early life the grandfather of our subject also erossed the ocean and took up his residence in Pennsylvania, whence he afterwards came to Mis- souri. There Charles C.'s death occurred in 1859, at the age of sixty-three years.
The father of our subject was reared in Pennsyl- vania and Missouri. He waseducated in the district schools and early in life engaged in milling. That business he followed until 1836, when he went to Illinois. The same year he engaged in mining and smelting in Mineral Point, Wis., where he eontin- ved operations along that line for two years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Mis- souri, and for two years was engaged in mining and smelting in that state. In 1853 he came to Dubuque with his family, where he died in 1859,
at the old homestead, where his son, Charles H., re- sides. Our subject, Charles H., during the forty-one years which have sinee passed, has been promi- nently identified with this city's business interests, and in this way has aided materially in its growth and progress.
Mr. Gregoire ran the first steam ferry on the river at Dubuque, carrying on that business until 1864, when he sold out to the Illinois Central Rail- road. As his financial resources have increased he has made judicious and extensive investments in real estate and now devotes his entire time to looking after his property interests. Besides his property in Iowa he now owns two hundred and eighty-nine aeres of good mining land in Missouri.
In November, 1849, Mr. Gregoire was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Janis, a native of Ste Genevieve, Mo., and a daughter of Henry Janis, who was born in that place, and became one of the early settlers of that state. Three children were born of their union, two sons and a daughter, J. C. and Cyril H., who are prominent business men of Dubuque, and Ida, who is at home. The parents are both members of the Catholic Church, and have a pleasant home on Alpine Street. In his political views Mr. Gregoire is a prononneed Demoerat, unswerving in his allegiance to the prin- ples of that party. His life has been a busy and useful one and as the result of his well directed efforts, perseverance, enterprise and good business ability, he has arisen from an humble position to one of affluence.
H ENRY GEHRIG, proprietor and lessee of the Jefferson House of Dubuque, has the honor of being one of the native sons of this eity. He was born here April 3, 1864, but is of Swiss descent. His father, Joseph Gehrig, was a native of Switzerland, and in 1844 emigrated to the United States, reaching the harbor of New Or- leans in June of that year. He remained in the Crescent City for a few months, and thenee eame to Dubuque, where he made his home until 1849.
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Attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he made an overland trip to the Pacific slope, tak- ing over six months and three days to reach Sacra- mento, where he dug the first two cellars in the city. For three years he was in the west; he was sueeessful in gold mining and brought baek con- siderable money, and in 1852 returned by way of the water route to New York City, where he made his home until 1854, when he again eame to Du- buque. He then erected the Jefferson House, which at that time was the finest hotel in the state of Iowa, and conducted the same with good suceess up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1885. Ile was recognized as one of the leading and influ- ential eitizens of this community and was ever ready to aid in the advancement of those enter- prises caleulated to promote the general welfare. In politics he was a Democrat, and for two terms acceptably served as a member of the City Council.
In 1852 Joseph Gehrig was united in marriage with Miss Ursula Kiene, a native of Switzerland, who died in Dubuque in 1872, leaving, six ehildren, of whom Henry is the fourth in order of birth. They were, Paul, John, Joseph, Henry, Mary and Lena. The father of this family was a very sue- cessful business man, and as the result of his thrift, enterprise and well direeted efforts he accumulated a large property and left his family in comfortable eircumstances.
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