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 15
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 15
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 15
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Henry Gehrig, whose name heads this record, was reared to manhood under the parental roof and acquired his education in the public sehools. He aided his father in the hotel and on his death be- eame the lessee and assumed control of the Jeffer- son House, which he has sinee eondueted in a creditable and profitable manner. It is located on the corner of Seventh and White Streets and is one of the best hotels in the city, being complete in all its appointments and equipped with all modern eon venienees and accessories. The site where the Jefferson House now stands was an Indian mound, and it was the place where most celebrations were held, such as Fourth of July, ete. It was on this mound where the first man in Dubuque was hung by a mob. He, however, was given a trial by Judge Lyneh and jury and was found guilty of killing his partner, they being both old lead miners.
In polities Mr. Gehrig is a Democrat but takes no prominent part in politieal affairs. Socially he is eouneeted with the Loyal Legion and the Aneient Order of United Workmen. His entire life has been passed in Dubuque and he is recognized as one of its representative and leading young business men. Our subject was married May 29, 1894, to Miss Mary Schrup, of Rockdale, daughter of Joseph Schrup. Mr. Gehrig and his wife are members of the Catholic Church.
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A NDREW RAHE is a well known and wealthy farmer, living in New Wine Township, Dubuque County, adjoining the village of New Vienna. Our subject was born at Munster, Westphalia, in the United Kingdom of Prussia, in May, 1824. His parents both died when he was but a child, henee but little ean be learned of them. He was taken by relatives to bring up and passed his boyhood on the farm, re- eeiving only a limited education. When he at- tained his majority, in 1845, he set sail for the New World, and on landing in the United States first located at Hamilton, Ohio, where he remained until 1847, in the spring of which year he came to Iowa, and for a time worked on the mill then being built by Schimmel Bros., near the present site of New Vienna.
In August, 1848, Mr. Rahe was united in wed- lock with Mrs. Catherine Weekman, a widow, who was born in Oldenburg, Germany, and came to America with her parents when a child. In 1843, with her husband, she made the journey from Ohio to Iowa, making the trip by ox team. Mrs. Rahe has one daughter by her first marriage, Mary, now the wife of Clarence Buchenstete, a wealthy farmer in.Delaware County, of this state.
Direetly after his marriage Mr. Rahe located on the farm where he has ever sinee resided. Coming to this county as he did, without means, he early set about making for himself a competency, and now aside from the large farm on which he makes his home he owns several farms in Dubuque and
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Delaware Counties, being one of the wealthiest residents of this vicinity.
To Mr. and Mrs. Rahe have been born the fol- lowing children: Clement, who wedded Mary, daughter of Joseph Schimmel, and is engaged in farming near Dyersville; Henry, whose wife died, leaving four children, and who now resides with his father on the farm; Frank, a farmer of Delaware County, who wedded Miss Mary Wesell; and Annic, the wife of Theodore Brockmann, a well known agriculturist of Delaware County. Our subject was brought up in the Catholic faith, to which he still belongs. He uses his right of franchise in favor of the Democratic party, and both as a busi- ness man and for his own well known qualities of true worth is held in the highest respect by one and all.
D ANIEL STALLARD, who is a veteran of the late war, with an honorable record for bravery and devotion to the cause of his country, won in some of the hardest fought bat- tles of the Rebellion, is a very successful business man of Dyersville, and was born in Geneva, Switzerland, August 5, 1840. There is something of a romance connected with the early life of our subject, his real name being Pasture, but his father dying when he was a merc lad, his mother married a man who bore the name of George Stallard, and he assumed that name. Some time after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stallard went to Eng- land to live, leaving our subject with an aunt who afterward came to America, when he was eight years of age. She settled in Brooklyn, where the mother of our subject had located some time pre- vious. Later he went to Oneida County, New York, but being compelled to fight his own way through life he soon turned his face toward the setting sun, and settled at Elgin, Ill., where he worked at the harness trade. In the year 1856 he removed to Dyersville, where he continued at
this occupation till the breaking out of the late Civil War.
On the 21st day of August, 1862, Daniel Stal- lard was enrolled in Company E, of the Twenty- first Iowa Infantry, as a private and was mustered in at Dubuque. Soon after the regiment was sent south to Benton Barracks at St. Louis, thence to Rollo, the same state, and from there to Houston, Tex., where they spent the winter. The follow- ing spring they started for Springfield, Mo., to re- inforce the troops at that place and on the way participated in the battle of Woods Forks, where they fought the rebel forces under Marmaduke and Price. This brave command of nine hundred men held their lines against the enemy of more than five thousand, after which they made a forced mareli to Lebanon and then a distance of sixty miles to Houston, Mo., taking them thirty hours. It is said on good authority that during this march our subject absolutely went to sleep as he continued to march. Soon afterward they started for the Ozark Mountains, under Brigadier General David- son of the Second Brigade, Second Division. We will not attempt to follow him through all his hardships, but next find him at Vicksburg. Later, at Fort Gibson, he was struck by a piece of shell in the right arm, while supporting a battery, but after having his wound dressed, he again took his place in the ranks, participating in the battles of Champion Hills, Baker's Creek, Black River Bridge and the Siege of Vicksburg. Our subject was on the Red River expedition and while on picket duty at St. Charles was taken sick and sent to the hospital at that place. Soon afterward he was granted a furlough home and was discharged on account of disability, June 16, 1865, at Mound City.
On his return home Mr. Stallard engaged in the harness business on his own account, in which pursuit he has successfully continued ever since. Two years later he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Pimm, who was of English extrac- tion. Mr. and Mrs. Stallard adopted a son, who died when eight years of age. Our subject's aged mother is now a member of his household. He has been a life-long Republican in politics and is a prominent and leading Grand Army man. He
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also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic fraternity, having been Senior Warden of the latter lodge. He and his wife are active members of the Episcopal Church at Dyersville.
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J OHN FOLEY. This substantial resident of Anamosa is engaged as a railroad contractor, and also is the owner of a good farm in Fair- view Township. He is a native of Ireland, having been born February 18, 1838. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Kelly) Foley, were also natives of the Emerald Isle, the former coming to the United States when advanced in years. John, when emigrating hither, landed in New York City, whence he made his way into Champaign County, Ohio, where he attended school for one winter, and then began working on the Columbus & Cleve- land Railroad.
In 1856 the subject of this sketeh went to Wis- consin, where he was employed on the La Crosse & Milwaukee Road, and afterward removed to Water- town, that state, working for the Chicago & North- western, and afterward as an employe for the Janesville & Oshkosh Road. Three years later young Foley came to Iowa, making his headquar- ters for a time in Ottumwa in the employ of the Des Moines Valley Railroad Company, in grading the road bed. He afterward was engaged by the Illinois Central, and located at Waterloo, this state.
In the year 1860, our subject eame to Anamosa, in the employ of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Road, laying the track between this eity and Sperryville. After completing this work he went to Benton County and constructed the road between Cedar Rapids and Marshalltown for the Northwestern Road. We next find Mr. Foley in Lanark, Ill., working for the Milwaukee & St. Paul under Cap- tain Smith, on that portion of the road lying be- tween Freeport and Savannah.
March 26, 1864, our subject again came to this city and was married to Miss Nora Sullivan, of Anamosa, and the daughter of Michael and Ellen
Sullivan, natives of Ireland. After his marriage' Mr. Foley was engaged in farm pursuits for two years, but finding this business did not suit him, again engaged in railroad work, this time for the Chicago & Northwestern. In 1867 he worked for a time on the Rock Island, and the same year laid the track of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney be- tween Clinton and Indianola.
In 1870 our subject returned to Anamosa, in- vesting his surplus money in real estate and ear- ried on general farming for the succeeding three years. His possessions now aggregate eight hun- dred aeres, five hundred of which are under the best methods of improvement. His farm is stocked with fine animals, has an ample supply of build- ings, including a commodious dwelling and good barn. In addition to this property Mr. Foley owns a fine grocery store in Anamosa, which is carried on by his son, Thomas W.
As has already been seen, our subject is a truly self-made man. During his childhood he experi- enced many disadvantages, but not withstanding discouragements he pushed ahead, and the result proves the wisdom of his course. He has invested his money judiciously, has a beautiful home in the city, and is prepared to spend the deelining years of his life in peace and comfort, surrounded by many of the luxuries of life. With his good wife, Mr. Foley is a member of St. Patrick's Church at Anamosa, in the faith of which they have trained their children.
R EV. JAMES HILL, a prominent pioneer preacher who is known all over Dubuque and adjoining counties, was one of the early settlers at Caseade, where he now resides in a beautiful brick residence situated on the bank of the Maquoketa River at the northern edge of the town. He has led a very active life in his Mas- ter's service, founded several churches, and in the early years rode far and near to officiate at fune- rals and weddings and to hold services at various points. In the late Civil conflict he was First
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Lieutenant and Chaplain of the Twenty-first Iowa Infantry and participated in several of the eele- brated battles during his serviee.
Rev. Mr. Hill was born at Chedder, Somerset- shire, England, December 6, 1822. His aneestors were among the early and respected residents of that town and his grandfather, William Hill, dur- ing his entire life, was a boot and shoe manufac- turer. He was a liberal churehman of the Episeo- pal faith and died when about eighty years of age. His son, William, who became the father of James Hill, was a native of the same town, and learned his father's business when a young man. He went into military service as a recruiting offieer and spent about five years in the army, after which he followed farming until his death, at the age of sixty-two years. He was a very aetive worker in the Methodist denomination, while his wife held membership with the Episcopal Church. She bore the maiden name of Sophia Hawkins, and reared a family of three sons and two daughters, namely: Frederick, James; Joel H., a minister; Sophia, Mrs. Muspratt; and Fannie, Mrs. Hooper. Mrs. Hill lived to attain her seventy-third year. Her father, George Hawkins, was born in Chedder, and was a schoolmaster in the Government Church Sehool up to the time of his death. He was finely edu- cated, a member of the Episcopal Church and lived to be seventy years old.
The boyhood of James Hill was passed on a farm until he had reached his eighteenth year and he was a regular attendant at the village school. He then entered a large dry-goods and groeery store, with which he was eonneeted until twenty-five years of age, and for a short time clerked in a gen- eral grocery store in Bristol. There he was mar- ried and soon made arrangements to come to the United States. About Mareh 1, 1849, he took pas- sage in a sailing vessel and was thirty-seven days on the voyage, as they encountered severe storms. About the 1st of April he landed in Dubuque and for a time elerked in a dry-goods store, afterward becoming First Assistant Postmaster of Dubuque, holding that plaee until 1853, when he eame to this eounty, settling on a farm of two hundred acres of raw land which he had entered in 1851. There were few settlers here at that time and they
were mainly located along the rivers and creek. Mr. Hill built a log cabin and later a frame house, and with energy proceeded to develop his farm. Before leaving England he had preached to some extent, and after coming to this locality he found- ed a ebureh at Epworth and one at Worthington. In the former place and at other points he still oc- casionally preaches, and for five years was the reg- ular pastor of the Baptist Church at Caseade.
August 22, 1862, our subjeet enlisted in Com- pany I, Twenty-first Iowa Infantry, having raised seventy men of the company himself and served as First Lieutenant until after the fall of Vicks- burg, then being elected Chaplain. At Champion Hills he was out foraging when he encountered three rebel pickets, and as he was in a narrow path and could not turn, he shouted "Ground your arms," and at the same time, "Forward march, guards;" the men thinking they were taken obey- ed his order, and Mr. Hill in triumph marehed them off to the camp. He took part in the battles of Hartsville, Ft. Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River and the siege of Vieksburg and was muster- ed out July 10, 1865. While Chaplain he held services continuously, converted many and bap- tized about forty soldiers. In March, 1893, he received from the Government a medal for valor at Champion Hills, Miss., May 16, 1863, in aceord- ance with the act of Congress, approved March 3, 1863, providing for the presentation of medals of honor to those who distinguished themselves in action.
Mr. Hill was first married in July, 1848, to Sylvia Brown, who was born in Nicholston, Devon- shire, England, and whose death oceurred in 1874. She was a noble Christian woman and a zealous worker in the Baptist Church. In September, 1874, Mr. Hill wedded Mrs. Angeline Potter, who was born in Greencastle, Pa. In 1857 he built the commodious residenee which he still occupies. The house stands on the site of an Indian village and burial ground, and several Indian skeletons have been exhumed in this loeality.
A strong Whig until 1856, Mr. Hill has ever since been a Republican. He was nominated by his party for Representative and ran seven hundred votes ahead of his ticket, though he was not elect-
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ed as the county has a Democratic majority of twenty-five hundred. At another time he came within three hundred votes of being clected Coun- ty Supervisor. He used his influence in getting the Chicago, Bellevue & Cascade Narrow Gauge Railroad through here, was a Director, then Vice- President and later President of the road, holding the latter office for one year, when the company sold out to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. The ministerial labors of Mr. Hill have been largely gratuitous and he has labored indus- triously for his own and family's support.
EORGE MOLLART. The residence of this gentleman is in Dubuque Township, Du- buque County, where for a number of years he has been engaged in agricultural work. His property is well improved, having good build- ings and other improvements of a first-class char- aeter. Here he carries on general farm pursuits, with the assistance of his sons. In former years he devoted his attention exclusively to mining, and still foilows this occupation in the winter months. His present high standing is due to his unremitting industry, for when he started out in life for himself he had no moneyed capital.
The parents of our subjeet, Ralph and Mary Ann (Ainsworth) Mollart, were natives of Stafford- shire, England, where the father followed the trade of a mechanic. In 1847 he took passage on a ship at Liverpool, and after an ocean voyage of six weeks landed at New Orleans. From that city he traveled on a river steamer up the Mississippi to St. Louis, where he sojourned for three weeks. Then proceeding further northward, he settled at Durango, Iowa, and became an extensive miner, being fortunate enough to strike one of the big- gest leads in that locality. In that town his wife died, at the age of about forty-six years. He came to Dubuque about 1864, and here lived in retire- ment until his death, at the age of fifty-five. In politics he was identified with the Republican
party, and used his influence to forward its inter- ests. His activity and intelligent enterprise were potent factors in the advancement of the mining interests of Iowa.
The subject of this sketch was born in Stafford- shire, England, November 28, 1838, and was one of six children that grew to years of maturity. At present only two are living. In early life he was trained in the mining industry, which he selected as his occupation upon starting out for himself. He remained at home until twenty-five years of age, when he married Miss Ann Warmouth, a na- tive of Durham, England, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth Warmouth. There have been born to them seven children, of whom six arc now living, as follows: Thomas W .; Mary A., wife of John Miller and mother of two children; Edward W., Charles A., Edith and Grace.
For several years after his marriage Mr. Mol- Jart resided at Durango, Iowa, and thence rc- moved to Dubuque about 1868. Here he followed mining for two years, and then purchased the farm where he has since made his home. Politi- cally he uniformly votes the Republican ticket, and supports with his influence as well as his bal- lot those candidates who are pledged to the prin- ciples of the party. His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. He came to Dubuque County a poor man, but by honesty and economy has ae- quired a valuable property, and at the same time his honorable dealings with all men have won for him the esteein of his fellow-men.
EORGE MARSHALL occupies a finely im- proved farm in Dubuque Township, and ranks among the highly respected citizens of Dubuque County, by reason of his intelligence, sterling character and reliable citizenship. He is an enterprising farmer, prudently changing his erops in order to keep up the fertility of the soil, and devoting the greater amount of his land to grain, without neglecting other articles of pro- duce. He raises graded hogs, cattle and horses,
DR. NANCY M. HILL.
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and his farm is well supplied with orehards and groves.
Mr. Marshall was born in Middletown, Pa., July 22, 1850, and is the son of Jacob and Mary Mar- shall, natives of Germany, who are still living, making their home on a valuable property located near the home of our subject. George remained on the farm until eleven years of age, when he went to Dubuque and attended school for some time. He was married November 29, 1875, to Miss Barbara Schuster, a native of Germany, and the daughter of Philip and Magdaline (Copemann) Schuster, also born in the Fatherland, whence they came to the United States in 1860, locating at onee in this county. They are both deceased, dy- ing at the respective ages of fifty-one and sixty- two years.
To our subject and his wife have been born two children, Jacob and Emily, both at home. After his marriage Mr. Marshall purchased his present farm, whieli includes one hundred and sixty-two well cultivated aeres, where he is en- gaged in general farming. He is an ardent ad- mirer of Republican principles, and never fails to east a vote in favor of its candidates. He has served at various times as a member of the School Board, and is a consistent member of the Congre- gational Church, with whiel he has been eon- nected for some time.
Jacob Marshall, the father of our subject, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, July 6, 1825, and was the son of John George and Christiana C. (Harvey) Marshall, also born in Wurtemberg. The latter was a baker by trade, and coming to the United States in 1831, first located in Buffalo, N. Y., where he worked at his trade, and later moved to Ohio, making his home in the Buckeye State for eight and one-half years. At the end of that time he removed to Pennsylvania, where he died at the age of seventy-five years. His good wife preceded him to the better land, passing away when in her sixtieth year.
The father of our subjeet was one in a family of three children, and has one sister living, bearing the name of Christiana. He remained under the parental roof until reaching his majority, when he learned the silk weaver's trade, working at it first
in Pittsburg, Pa. In 1849 he married Miss Mary Rhinecleaver, who was born in Saxony, and was the daughter of John and Christian Rhineeleaver, who came to the United States about 1846, loeat- ing in Pittsburg, Pa., and about 1855 settling in Monroe, Wis. The mother died in Wisconsin and the father departed this life in Dubuque County. Jacob Marshall is well-to-do in this world's goods, and with his estimable wife is living retired on a valuable estate near the home of our subjeet.
N ANCY M. HILL, M. D., who is successfully engaged in the practice of medieine in Dubuque, is a worthy representative of the profession in this eity and county. She was born and reared in West Cambridge, Mass., and is a daughter of William and Harriet (Swan) Hill, the former a farmer by occupation. In the com- mon schools of the home neighborhood she began her education and later entered Mt. Holyoke Sem- inary, where she pursued a thorough course of study. She was one of those brave and unselfish women who during the war sacrifieed home inter- ests and social pleasures and aided in the care of those who went forth to the defense of the Union. As a volunteer she went to the Armory Square Hospital in Washington, D. C., and there remained for three years; her kindly services and ministra- tions added greatly to the comfort of the wounded soldiers.
Immediately after the battle of the Wilderness nearly three hundred wounded soldiers were put on transports and sent by way of Aquia Creek to Alexandria, whence they walked to Armory Square Hospital. By some mistake their papers had not been forwarded to the officers, and by order of Secretary Stanton they were refused admission into the hospital. Dr. Bliss, head surgeon, was afraid to disobey the orders of Stanton, and rathier than to witness the men suffering in the street he went home. Not so with Miss Hill. Born with the high courage that had characterized her Revo-
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lutionary ancestors, and too good and brave to allow sueli a wrong to be permitted, she opened the gates and bade the guards turn their backs, as she intended to bring the wounded men into the hospital and give them needed attention and suc- eor. The guards did as requested and the wounded men followed her into the building, where their wounds were dressed and given proper attention. It had been supposed that they were deserters, but such was not the case, as on the following day their eredentials arrived. Then Miss Hill was complimented by all for her prompt and noble ae- tion on behalf of the wounded men.
So successful was Miss Hill in hospital work, that Dr. Bliss advised her to study medicine, and aeting upon this suggestion she began hier profes- sional readings on returning to her home in Massa- chusetts. Later she took a course of leetures in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, gradu- ating in 1874. She then received an appointment in the New England Hospital for women and children at Roxbury, Mass., where she spent one and one-half years. From the old Bay State she eame to Dubuque and opened an office on Loeust Street. Sinee that time she has been successfully engaged in practice, making a specialty of dis- eases of women and children. She is a member of the Dubuque Medical Association, the Cedar Val- ley Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical So- eiety and the American Medical Association. A lady of culture and intelligence, she possesses broad and liberal views, and in social as well as professional eireles she holds a highi position.
Dr. Hill's sister, Miss Harriet A., resides with her. She received the rudiments of her edneation in the common schools of West Cambridge, Mass., and subsequently attended the seminary at Exe- ter, N. H. For three years she engaged in teaclı- ing in her native town, and after the death of her father came to Dubuque, where she has sinee re- sided. A lady of scholarly attainments, she is prominently connected with the Dubuque Literary Society and the Daughters of the Revolution.
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