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 16
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 16
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 16
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Dr. Hill is descended from worthy aneestors, the family having been founded in America by emi- grants from Lineolnshire, England, who crossed the Atlantic in 1630. They were loyal to their
new home, and members of the family took an ac- tive part in the War of the Revolution. The four great-grandfathers of Dr. Hill participated in the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, a cireum- stanee which can be found in but few of the old American families. Her grandparents, William and Nancy (Bond) Hill, were both natives of the old Bay State and were members of the Congrega- tional Church. Great-grandmother Swan, during the Revolutionary War, went heroieally from her home and nursed some of the patriots, as well as the enemy. It was her fortune to cause to be taken to hier house a wounded British officer, whom she nursed baek to health. He had form- erly been a friend and eomrade of General Waslı- ington at the battle of Ft. DuQuesne (popularly ealled Braddock's defeat) and subsequently when the General eame to Cambridge he thanked Mrs. Swan for her kindly care of his friend.
OHN SCHWEITZER is a noteworthy resi- dent of Riehland Township, who by indefat- igable industry, perseverance and good common sense, raised himself from poverty to affluence, and is to-day one of the wealthy men of his community, living retired on his valuable estate on seetion 18.
Like many of the best residents of Jones Coun- ty, our subject was born in Switzerland, June 15, 1824, and is the son of Benedict and Anna (Zuter) Sehrweitzer, who were also natives of that country, where the father was a farmer. John, of this sketeli, was the second in order of birth of the pa- rental family of eight children, all of whom reside in Germany with the exception of two brothers and one sister who make their home in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The original of this sketch attended the coin- mon schools of his native plaee until reaching his sixteenth year, when he devoted his attention to learning the miller's and baker's trade. He fol- lowed these combined occupations until emigrat- ing to America in 1850, coming hither on a sail-
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ing-vessel which left Havre, France, and arriving in New York after a tedious voyage of forty-three days. Young Schweitzer immediately made his way to Illinois and in the fall of the year went via the Isthmus to California. When landing in the Golden State he found employment in the mines and for five years searelied for the yellow metal. Although meeting with many ups and downs his trip was on the whole successful and after five years he returned by way of New York.
Our subjeet after his experience in the mines came to Jones County, this state, where he pur- ehased a quarter-section of land in Richard Town- ship which bore many good improvements. Here he engaged in farming and stoek-raising and from time to time added to his aereage until to-day lie is one of the largest landowners in the county, having in his possession over six hundred broad and well eultivated acres. Of late years he has given eonsiderable attention to dairying, milking from twenty-five to fifty cows. His barns are large and commodious and everything about the place shows the supervision of an intelligent and enterprising farmer.
In 1862 John Schweitzer was married to Miss Charlotte, daughter of Benedict Yousee, by whom he became the father of a daughter, Saraphine. Mrs. Sehweitzer departed this life in 1866, and the lady whom our subject ehose for his second companion was Margaret Boner. To them was born a family of three children: Charlotte, who is the wife of John Marugg, a farmer of this county; Lena, who married Casper Buol; and John W. The son is a very intelligent and enterprising young man and since his father retired has eharge of the large estate, which he is condueting in a satisfactory and profitable manner. The family oecupy a substantial stone residence, which is sur- rounded by a beautiful lawn and shade and orna- mental trees.
Mr. Schweitzer is a Democrat in polities, and as a good citizen should, is earnestly interested in all that pertains to the township and eounty. His ea- reer was begun as a poor boy, for he arrived in the United States with but $80 in his pocket, but by energy and perseveranee, united with economy and good business qualifications, he has become
wealthy, and the records show him to be one of the largest taxpayers in his township. He is Director in the Monticello Bank, with which he has been connected for many years and is one of the moneyed men of his eommunity.
Mr. and Mrs. Schweitzer are devoted members of the American German Church, where they hold places of esteem and respect.
A R. KNIGHT is the senior member of the firm of A. R. Knight & Co., owners of one of the finest mercantile establishments in Dubuque. Their jewelry store, located at from No. 708 to 714 Main Street, would do eredit to any eity in this state. It is an elegantly appointed establishment, in which is displayed a well selected stoek of jewelry, arranged in a most pleasing and attractive manner, the gold and precious stones a d the beautiful diamonds imported direet from Europe going to make up a fine pieturc. The firm makes a specialty of handling solid silver- ware, manufactured by the most reliable firms, and handles a large line of optieal goods.
Mr. Knight, whose name heads this record, was born in Wardsborough, Windham County, Vt., November 22, 1848, and is a son of Isaae and Olive (Stanley) Knight. His father was for many years a leather manufacturer of the Green Mountain State, and there died in 1870. He belonged to one of the old and prominent New England families which for many generations had lived in New England, and furnished leading representatives to various professions and lines of business.
Our subjeet is the youngest in a family of eight children, three sons and five daughters. His early education, acquired in the distriet sehools, was supplemented by study in the Leland Semi- nary, of Townsend, Vt. In 1867 he started west- ward and made his first location in Chicago, where he spent six months in the employ of Giles Bros. & Co., jewelers, In the fall of 1868 he eame to Dubuque and seeured a position as a salesman with E. A. Giles & Co., jewelers, with whom he re-
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inained for ten years. In 1878 he embarked in business on his own account, forming a partner- ship with his nephew, Frank Knight. This eon- nection continued for eighteen months, when he beeame sole proprietor of what is now one of the finest establishments of the kind in the northwest. His goods are purchased by an expert and he em- ploys a skilled man for the arrangement of dia- monds in settings, according to the tastes of liis patrons.
In 1870 Mr. Knight was joined in wedlock with Miss Fannie Boyer, of Waverly, Iowa, daughter of Jolin Boyer. They reside at No. 391 Bluff Street, and have two children, Maud O. and Ar- thur. Mr. Knight is an affable and genial gentle- man, of pleasant address, and in social as well as business cireles oeeupies an en viable position, being recognized as one of the leading citizens of the community. HIe eame to the west with no capital, but was ambitious and enterprising, and he resolved that his business eareer should be a successful one; he therefore made the most of his opportunities and privileges and steadily worked his way up- ward. He may truly be ealled a self-made man and his example should serve to encourage others who have to fight life's battles unaided. In poli- tics he is a Republiean.
A UGUST J. MONROE. The name placed at the head of this sketch is that of a gen- tleman long and worthily connected with the legal profession in Montieello, where he is now living retired. It is difficult to point out the ex- aet traits to which a man owes his sueeess; suffiee it to say that tenaeity of purpose, energy and un- deniable intellectual ability have been Mr. Mon- roe's most distinguishing traits, and were, without doubt, his stepping stones to sueeess.
Our subject was born in Massachusetts, in Will- iamstown, Berkshire County, October 7, 1810, and is the son of Ardin Monroe, whose birth also oe- curred in the Bay State, where he was engaged in later years as a hatter. The grandfather of our
subject, who bore the name of Zabed Monroe, was of Seotch descent and it is presumed was born in Scotland.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Miriam Smith, a native of Massachusetts and the daughter of Nathan Smith. August J. of this sketch is the only member living of the parental household comprising seven children. He passed his boyhood days in New York, whither his par- ents had removed in 1820, and also there received a fair education. His father had served as a sol- dier in the War of 1812, for which he was given a land warrant.
August J. Monroe removed to Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1820, and made his home in the town of Brutus until attaining his majority, when he went to Pennsylvania. He was elected as the first repre- sentative to the legislature on the Whig tieket from the Wilmot District, which was strongly Demo- eratić. This was in 1849, and the year following his expiration of office Mr. Monroe was appointed Prosecuting Attorney of the same distriet and was there engaged in the practice of law until 1859, when, in August of that year, we find him in Jones County, this state.
Our subjeet was admitted to the Bar in 1843 at Wellsborough, Tioga County, Pa., and after loeat- ing in Monticello opened an office and has prac- tieed in all the courts of the state. He was mar- ried in 1840 to Miss Adelia Wood, a native of New York State and the daughter of Stephen and Rebee- ca (Cole) Wood. Mrs. Monroe was born in Putnam County, N. Y., where she was engaged in teach- ing sehool for many years. Their union has been blessed by the birth of five sons, namely: August M., engaged in the harness business in Michigan; Clarence A., now in Huntsville, Ala .; William M., making his home in a village in Fayette Coun- ty, Iowa; Herman II., residing in Riverside, Cal., and E. Edward, a citizen of Monticello.
August J. Monroe was appointed Assessor of Iowa by Andrew Johnson in 1867 and while in Pennsylvania was elected City Attorney on the Whig tieket when the district contained over one thousand Democratic majority. IIe was one of the charter members of the Odd Fellows' lodge in this city and for many years was a member of the
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Union League. Mr. Monroe owns five hundred acres of valuable land in South Dakota, which is operated by tenants. He is a gencrous, liberal man, kind-hearted and is universally respected in his community.
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T HOMAS KELEHER, who is now living a retired life in the enjoyment of a well earned competency and is a resident of Elkader, is a son of the Emerald Isle, coming of one of those enterprising Irish families who have accomplished so much in the development and up- building of Clayton County. He is one of the honored pioneers of these parts, having settled within the limits of the county in 1855.
The birth of our subject occurred in Water- ford County, Ircland, in 1833, and of that country his father, Tobias, was also a native. The family removed to America in 1848, when Thomas Kel- eher was a lad of fifteen years, and their first lo- cation was in New York City. The father's deatlı occurred in Clayton County. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Mulvey, and both pa- rents were adherents of the Catholic Church. Mrs. Keleher died in Clayton County.
Thomas Keleher came to Clayton County in 1855 and soon after settled on a farm in Board- man Township, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, improving and greatly increasing the value of his property. For about thirty-five years he continued to operate his farm, which is one of the most desirable in the township and which is still in the possession of our subject. The place comprises two hundred and forty acres of good land, which is improved with fences, & desirable residence, barns and outbuildings. In 1891 Mr. Keleher retired from the active and arduous duties pertaining to running a farm and since that time has been a resident of the city.
In 1860 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Mary Direcn, who departed this life on Jan- uary 19, 1878, leaving four sons and one daugh- ter, who in order of birth are as follows: Will- iam, Jeremiah, Frank, Edward and Anna. Thomas
Keleher married his present wife in 1881. Prior to this her name was Anna Roach, and by this union one son and three daughters have been born, namely: John, Mary, Stella and Chloe. The par- rents are zealous workers in the Catholic Church, in the faith of which they are rearing their chil- dren and they are also giving them the benefits of a good education.
Thomas Keleher, who is favorably known in Clayton County, has actively participated in its im- provement; he has also been industrious and enter- prising, attending strictly to his own affairs. By these means he has succeeded in acquiring ample means for providing himself and family with the necessities of life. Commeneing at the bottom round of the ladder he worked upward step by step, and by persevering energy and well directed efforts acquired his large and valuable property. In regard to liis politics he is a Democrat, using his influence and voting for the support of that party.
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ZRA KETCHAM, one of the respected resi- dents and agriculturists of Jones County, is the owner of a valuable tract of land situated on section 22, Cass Township. In public improvements he has always been one of the lead- ers and in church affairs also his influence has been ever felt for good.
The father of our subject, John Ketcham, was a native of New Jersey and in order to obtain a live- lihood he followed the occupations of blacksmith and farmer. He was a very industrious and active man during his life time, and his death occurred in New Jersey when he had reached the age of seventy-three years. The family on the maternal side are of German extraction and have been noted for their sterling and honorable characteristics. The maiden name of our subjeet's mother was Jen- nie Burnett, and her birth also occurred in New Jersey. She lived to attain the extreme old age of one hundred and one years.
The nativity of Ezra Ketcham occurred in the year 1816 in Norris County, N. J., and his boy-
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hood was passed in his native state, where he re- ceived common-school advantages up to his fif- teenth year. About 1838 lic removed to Delaware County, Ohio, and for the next twenty-three years engaged in farming in that and Hancock Counties. In 1868 he came to Iowa, and after looking about to some extent, purchased the farm in Cass Town- ship which he has since conducted successfully. He has always been very active and has lived an out-of-door life with the result that he is strong and robust though he is now in his seventy-eighth year. In his habits he has been very temperate and does not even indulge in tea or coffec. The farm on which he resides comprises two hundred acres, all of which is under cultivation and well improved with good fences, barns and other necessary build- ings.
In politics Mr. Ketcham is a pronounced Pro- hibitionist and formerly was active in the ranks of the Republican party. For a period extending over forty-five years he has been an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and his wife is also a mem- ber of that denomination. While living in Ohio he was for several years Superintendent of the Sunday-school and has been very liberal in lend- ing his assistance in a substantial way to the fur- thering of religious and benevolent work.
In 1845 Mr. Ketcham was married to Miss Phœbe Condit, who was born in the state of New Jersey. To them have been born two sons and a daughter, Sarah, now the wife of Alvin Ogden, an enter- prising farmer of this township; Lewis and George, who are thrifty young business men of the com- munity. In every relation of life Mr. Ketcham has been honorable and just in all his dealings and bears a high reputation among his friends and neighbors for his worthy qualities.
A NDREW P. GIBBS is an attorney-at-law of Dubuque. An eminent writer has said that the history of a place is best told in the lives of its people. This is especially true if the lives recorded are of such men as the gentle- man whose name heads this record, one prominent
in public affairs and who has taken a leading part in promoting the best interests of the community.
Mr. Gibbs was born in Jackson County, Iowa, on the 25th of October, 1863, and is the eldest in a family of four children, three sons and a daugh- ter. Their parents were Thomas and Catherine (Morris) Gibbs. The father was a native of Ire- land, born in Queens County, of the Emerald Isle, and was of English and Irish extraction. When a young man he came to the United States. He engaged in merchandising in Pittsburg, Pa., but later in life carried on a farm. He became a resi- dent of Jackson County in 1859, and from that time devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. He was well known, possessed inany excellencies of character and gained a large circle of friends in Jackson County. His death there occurred on the 19th of January, 1892. His wife, a most estima- ble lady, still survives him and is yet living on the old homestead in Jackson County.
We now take up the personal history of Andrew P. Gibbs, in whon the citizens of Dubuque Coun- ty are most especially interested. He spent his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, no event of special importance occurring during that time. He early became familiar with farm work in all its departments, and during the winter months at- tended the district schools, while in the summer season he aided in the labors of the field. His education was further acquired by his attendance at St. Joseph's College, of Dubuque, and on leav- ing that institution he pursued a commercial course in Bayless Business College of this city. Later he attended Watertown College, of Wiscon- sin, and then became a student in Notre Dame University, of Indiana; from which he was gradu- ated in the English and law course on the 22d of June, 1888. Thus, by an excellent education, he was well equipped for the active and responsible duties of life.
After his graduation Mr. Gibbs came to Du- buque and did clerical work in the law office of J. C. Longueville, a prominent attorney of this city. In the fall of 1888 he was admitted to the Bar of Iowa by the Supreme Court at Des Moines; lic opened a law office and entered upon the prac- tice of his chosen profession. He has already
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gained distinction at the Bar and has won a reputation for skill and ability which many an older practitioner might well envy. In January, 1894, he was clected Secretary of the Dubuque Board of Trade and is now serving in that eapacity.
In October, 1892, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gibbs and Miss Rachel G. Mulkern, the young- est daughter of the late Hon. M. B. Mulkern. They are both prominent young people of this conmu- nity who in social circles hold an enviable posi- tion. Their friends are many, and all who know them esteem them highly. In his political views Mr. Gibbs is a Democrat but he has never aspired to public office, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his professional business.
H ON. ISAAC W. BALDWIN. Probably no citizen of Dubuque County is more widely known throughout Iowa than the gentleman named, the present Representative of his district in the State Scnate. His popularity may be inferred from the fact that, although there is a Democratic majority of thirty-five hundred in this district he was elected on the citizens' non- partisan ticket with a majority of seventeen. As editor and proprietor of the Cascade Pioneer he has exerted a marked influence on the affairs of this section and has aided in guiding its political des- tiny as well as in guarding its dearest interests, materially, socially and morally.
The son of William and Mary (Slichter) Bald- win, our subject was born in Blair, Waterloo County, Canada West, January 31, 1835. In 1846 he removed with the family to Saginaw, Mich., and in 1853 accompanied them to Cascade, Iowa. His father being a tanner and currier by tradc, he was early trained to a thorough understanding of that business. After the removal of thic family to Dubuque County, William Baldwin engaged in farm pursuits and our subject went to Galena, Ill., where he served as Assistant Postmaster from 1854 to 1866. For a time he was proprietor of the De Soto Hotel, whichi, however, did not prove a
profitable enterprise. While serving as "mine host" he gave the grand farewell entertainment to Gen. U. S. Grant prior to his departure for Waslı- ington, D. C., in 1865. This was the society cvent of the season, and among the distinguished guests were Gen. Dick Oglesby, Gen. John A. Logan, Governor Cullom, Hon. E. B. Washburn, Jesse K. Dubois and numerous other state notables.
While a resident of Galena, November 17, 1860, Mr. Baldwin married Miss Helen, daughter of Col. A. Eneas Mackay, of the United States army. The second union of Mr. Baldwin occurred September 23, 1874, when Miss Jean H. McGregor became his wife. This lady is a daughter of Joseph McGregor, of Dubuque.
Upon retiring from the postoffice in Galena Mr. Baldwin made his home in St. Louis until the autumn of 1867, when he returned to Caseade and here he has since resided. For several years he was connected with Frank May in the liquor bus- iness and for a twelvemonth managed the Ameri- can House. In January, 1877, he purchased the Cascade Pioneer, which he has since edited in an able manner.
Recently he refitted the printing office, putting in a new Campbell cylinder printing press, a Prouty job press and a paper cutter. His paper is well supplied with solid and useful information, as well as lighter matter, keeping its readers well in- formed on current topics and the affairs of this and other countries. One of its interesting fea- tures is the correspondence from various localities in the county.
During the war Mr. Baldwin was a loyal sup- porter of Union principles. His political faith has always been in sympathy with the tencts of the Democratic party. For six years he served as Justice of the Peace in White Water Township. While in Galena he represented Jo Daviess Coun- ty in the state conventions from 1856 until 1862, and was Chairman of the Third Congressional District in 1866, stumping the locality with Hon. Thomas J. Turner and opposed by Hon. E. B. Washburn. In the progress of Cascade he lias al- ways taken an active interest and was the first Mayor of the city. He was influential in having the town incorporated, a telephone system cstab-
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lished, and in securing the railroad through the place. In the fall of 1883 he was elected to rep- resent Dubuque County in the Legislature and was re-elected on the expiration of his term. He was present at the dedication of the new capitol and was a member of the first Legislature that oc- cupied it. He introduced numerous important bills touching the affairs of his constituents, serv- ing on many committees and participating in de- bates.
In the fall of 1893 Mr. Baldwin was elected to the Iowa State Senate for a period of four years, and is the present incumbent of that office. Among the bills in which he has been especially interested are those relating to allowing railroads to mort- gage their property and the formation of his county into a judicial district with two judges, forming the Tenth and Nineteenth Judicial Dis- tricts and the re-organization of our jury system. He has served as a member of the Committees on Appropriations, Scnatorial and Representative Dis- tricts, Compensation of Public Officers, Constitu- tional Amendments and Suffrage, Elections, Cor- porations and Printing. Socially, he is a prominent Odd Fellow and Master Workman in the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a man of strong convictions, which he does not hesitate to express freely and frankly, and with all the vigor he can command. He is respected as his merits deserve by all who are acquainted with his character and attainments.
A RNOLD EGGER, SR., is a prominent and highly respected citizen of Monticello, where he is living, retired from the active pursuits of life. He was formerly one of the wealthy agriculturists of this county, but of late years has transferred the business of looking after his estate to his son, Arnold Egger, Jr., of whom we will speak later on.
Our subject is a native of Switzerland, his birth occurring July 21, 1831. He is the son of Jacob Egger, also a native of Switzerland, where he was a farmer of modest means. The original of this
sketch received a good education in the common schools of his native land and when a lad of fifteen years began learning the stone-cutter's trade. This he followed in Switzerland until 1854, when, deter- mining to emigrate to America, he embarked on the sailor " Wilfried," which landed him in New York City, after a voyage of thirty-six days.
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